Road safety is a priority in the country, and you will find multiple police stops and traffic police with speed sensors.

Rwanda drives on the right side of the road. Police emphasize safe maneuvering, so make sure everything is clear before you attempt to overtake a car or merge into a roundabout.

Drunk Driving is not allowed

In Rwanda, drunk drivers are viewed very poorly. A blood alcohol level of 0.8 or higher is enough to get you thrown in jail for 24 hours, on top of an RWF150,000 ($150) fine. Even if you were just drinking a few bottles, if people around you knew you are going to drive, you will be viewed negatively. Even driving with a blood alcohol level lower than 0.8 is frowned upon. If you have to drink, make sure you have a designated driver with an International Driver’s Permit.

The police conduct random alcohol checkpoints. Here they will have you take a random sobriety test and check if you are within the permitted blood alcohol level. Refusing to take the test will result in a fine of RWF 150,000 ($150), which is the same fine for drunk driving. If you possess a Rwandan driver’s license, drunk driving is grounds for your license to be invalidated.

Observe the speed limit

Kigali has a lower speed limit than most other cities due to its history with vehicular accidents in the past. These limits are taken seriously, and violating them could cost you RWF50,000 ($50). It’s important to note that some speed limit signs in Kigali are not set permanently. A road’s speed limit could change depending on the time of day, and police officers will change the signs to reflect these. This is done to mitigate traffic jams, as well as for pedestrian safety.

Some people like to play with the speed limit, thinking a $50 fee is manageable. However, in Rwanda, police have the right to raise your fine based on the number of multiple infractions. If you were speeding and not everyone in the vehicle had seat belts, they can raise the fine. The more infractions you have, the more they can raise the fine to nine times the regular amount per infraction. There have been cases of fines as high as $500.

Always keep right

Due to the small size of the country, as well as its capital, the majority of the roads in Rwanda are two lanes in each direction. Drivers are encouraged to stay on the rightmost lane, leaving the left lane for overtaking only. This is to ensure that drivers don’t block each other or get overly aggressive when trying to overtake. It also makes exiting the multiple roundabouts in the city easier.

Always carry your papers

Drivers should always carry all documents on driving. These include your native driver’s license, your insurance papers, car rental agreement, and your international driver’s license. Officers are very strict on this, the police will ask for your international driver’s license as verification of your identity.

Republic of Rwanda - Rwanda National Police

Address: P. O. Box 6304 KIGALI - RWANDA

Phone Number: +250 788311155

Customer care Desk

Phone Number: +250788311533

Motor vehicle inspection services

Phone Number: +250788311734