International Driving Permit for Sao Tome & Principe

To drive in Sao Tome and Principe, you will need a valid driving license issued in your home country, as well as an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued by a recognized authority in your home country.

The IDP serves as a translation of your home country's driver's license and is recognized in Sao Tome and Principe as a valid document for driving. You can obtain an IDP online from our website by clicking the button above.

It's important to note that the IDP is only valid when presented alongside your original driver's license. Additionally, you must adhere to all local driving laws and regulations while driving in Sao Tome and Principe.

Finally, it's always a good idea to check with your embassy or consulate in Sao Tome and Principe for any specific requirements or restrictions related to driving in the country.

IDP is valid document, regulated by United Nations and recognized in over 150+ countries worldvide. Some of them are:

Angola

Argentina

Australia

Botswana

Brunei

Canada

Cape Verde

Chile

Dominica

Gabon

Ghana

Guatemala

Guinea-Bissau

Indonesia

Iran

Japan

Kenya

Kuwait

Mauritania

Mozambique

Namibia

Nepal

Nicaragua

South Africa

Belgium

Bolivia

Cameroon

Chad

Costa Rica

Cuba

Jamaica

Jordan

Kazakhstan

Rising from the ocean waters of the Atlantic Ocean, a lush tropical country enriched by nature and friendly people is waiting for you. Arrive in a happy place, and discover the untouched wonder of nature. Trek through isolated mountains, see local birds, visit tortoises' reefs, walk across the equator, or stroll to the Seven Stones. Enjoy local foods inspired by the cultures of Africa, Portugal, and Brazil.

Obo National Park

Otherworldly and beautiful, Obo National Park takes the experience to the next level. Covering a wide area of more than 230 square kilometers on the southern side of São Tomé, the vast wilderness extends from salt-washed mangroves on the coast to Virgin Atlantic rainforests in the highlands. The mountains along the coast are built like large square-cut escarpments, solid and stubborn over the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

This amazing national park, which covers around 35% of São Tomé, is home to one of the most striking geological sites in the world, Pico Cao Grande. The needle-shaped volcanic plug mountain rises sharply over 1,000 feet above the surrounding plateau and has a peak of 2,175 feet above sea level. If that's not enough for you to take in, you'll be pleased to learn that the park is also home to almost a thousand distinct varieties of flora and fauna.

Santana

Santana is an iconic place for beach lovers and lavish tourists to pursue São Tomé's stunning blend of sand, shore, and warmth on the Atlantic Ocean. Those little towns of Santana trickle freely to the coastline on the eastern tip of the island.

It is mainly popular for its iconic Santana Resort Club, which offers townhouses and lovely cabanas just a few steps from the waters of Santana Beach. There are also rooms set up above the craggy bluffs along the coast, with dive shops, boat tours, and more.

Boca de Inferno

The fascinating volcanic features that poked out to reach the swells of the Atlantic on the eastern shore of São Tomé found their zenith with the strikingly-named Boca de Inferno. Visitors can come to this place with only a quick drive south of the capital to see the salty whitecaps smashing into the coast, and the currents pull water into the subterranean tunnel, all until they blast the sky-high like a sea geyser.

The sight is always something of its own, making the most out of the Boca de Inferno with the gorgeous black-rock cliffs and volcanic headlands that reach up and explode from the coast all over. It is home to a geological anomaly triggered by waves making their way through a small cavern that leads to a cave with a skylight.

São Tomé and Príncipe is a diverse region. When you travel through the city on the only road in the region, you can also see a variety of old colonial buildings in ruins that offer the city its character.

Overtaking

Two-lane asphalt roads can be located in overcrowded regions, and most of them have straight lines built along the middle or dotted lines. Dashed lines say that both lanes can be crossed freely, so fewer drivers have connections to the highways. But if you see a straight line, you're always expected to drive slowly in both directions, which is one explanation of why accidents in São Tomé and Príncipe are out of hand.

Overtaking can be risky if there are just two lanes on the route. Before you overtake, you can inform the drivers behind that you are planning to overtake to ensure that no other vehicle attempts to overtake. You're only able to overtake if there's ample space between you and the car you're about to overtake on the lane.

Speed Limits

The maximum limit for driving in metropolitan areas is 50 Kph, and the speed limit for rural areas is 90 Kph. Wild and captive animals, as well as children, are usually on the road, so you should be cautious.

Parking

Make sure you have ample room to step out of the vehicle without bumping into the vehicles around you. It's greedy to take two spaces when parking. Don't steal it if you've got a car driver waiting for a parking space before you arrive. Be good to your fellow drivers and take a minute to make sure that there are two or three vacant spaces.

Seatbelt Laws

The World Health Organisation Global Road, Safety Status Study, reported that road crashes remain a common cause of death for children and adults. One of the most effective protective steps to deter vehicle injuries and deaths is the wearing of seatbelts. Seatbelts are restraints mounted on car seats to avoid injury during collisions.

One of the road traffic laws in this country is that the driver of the car must guarantee that passengers are safe by wearing seatbelts. Passengers and drivers of cars must wear seat belts unless medically exempted. The law also requires riders under 1.35 m to be protected with an adequate child harness, booster seat, or adjustable seat belt.

Drunk-driving

Driving after drinking alcoholic drinks is not a common issue in São Tomé and Príncipe. The government is placing a blood alcohol limit of 0.08% on residents and visitors. Driving after drinking is illegal and not a good decision since alcohol will influence driving conduct. Driving after drinking can lead to a car accident.