Rides
Ethiopia, officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked nation situated in the Horn of Africa in East Africa.
Requirements
| Carnet de Passage | no requirements |
| Insurance | no requirements |
| International driving permit | require IDP 1968 |
| Travel Visa | no requirements, 90 days per calendar year |
Riding in Ethiopia.
You need understandable documents.
The police can require the immediate presentation of all driving documents by the roadside, including license, logbook, and insurance, is common in most jurisdictions. If you cannot these documents in a language that the police can understand, there is a likelihood of having your bike impounded.
As a tip, it is to laminate all of your key documents or otherwise waterproof them. It is also highly recommended to scan all your original documents and email them to an easily accessible email address.
It is also worth printing off the Constat Amiable D’accident Automobile, which is used across numerous and other countries (the downloadable one on our website has English as well as French).
A full bike license is essential.
To ride in Ethiopia, you need a full UK bike licence, which authorises you to ride in your home country. Therefore, if you have a restricted licence in the UK, you cannot ride an unrestricted bike in Ethiopia.
Entry paperwork is required, thankfully no visa is needed.
There is no visa requirement to enter Ethiopia for UK nationals, but you will have to fill in a simple entry form when you cross into Ethiopia, as well as a similar form for your bike.
If you take your bike there, your taking your bike back.
Your bike will be registered entry into Ethiopia and you must leave with your bike. customs officers are meticulous. If you leave the Kingdom you must have your vehicle entry papers stamped having the country. If you cross the border and intend to return, must go through the entire process again. This is to prevent vehicle smuggling.
Speed limits.
Tarred highways 62mph (100 kph)
Rural (undevided highways) 37 – 62mph (60 – 100 kph
Towns and villages 18 – 31mph (30 – 50 kph)
Please note, this page was correct when written in November 2025.