🇨🇺 Drive Cuba with Confidence
Your own licence covers up to 6 months in Cuba. Navigate vintage traffic and limited fuel infrastructure.
Do You Need an IDP in Cuba?
Recommended — Your Own Licence Covers Up to 6 Months
You can drive in Cuba on a valid licence from your home country for up to 6 months; past that point you would have to sit a Cuban driving test. An IDP is not a legal requirement for visitors. Cuba's rental agencies are all state-run and ask for your licence and passport at the counter, and police checkpoints are frequent on major routes — an IDP is an official translation of your licence, which is what makes either conversation short when your licence is not in Spanish.
Key Warning
Cuba has chronic fuel scarcity. Petrol stations may be closed or out of fuel without warning. Always fill up when you see an open station, carry emergency fuel if possible, and plan routes with fuel availability in mind.
Driving Rules in Cuba
Drive on the Right
Cuba drives on the right. Road signs are minimal. The main highway (Autopista Nacional) connects Havana to other cities but has limited exits and no lighting.
Vintage Cars
Cuba's roads are shared with 1950s American classics, Soviet-era vehicles, horse-drawn carts, and bicycles. These vehicles are slow and lack modern safety features. Pass with caution.
Fuel Scarcity
Fuel shortages are chronic. Stations may have long queues or no fuel. Always fill up when available. Carry cash in Cuban pesos (CUP) for fuel purchases.
Speed Limits
Urban: 40–50 km/h. Rural: 60 km/h. Autopista: 100 km/h. Police radar traps are common. Fines must be paid at a bank, not on the spot.
Renting a Car in Cuba
What you need to know before picking up your rental vehicle.
Required Documents
Valid license and passport — plus an IDP if your agency's terms list one. State-run agencies dominate. Book well in advance as vehicles are limited.
Typical Costs
Compact from $50–80/day (higher than regional average). Insurance mandatory. Fuel costs fluctuate.
Top Rental Companies
Cubacar — State-run, largest fleet. Havanautos — Airport locations. Rex — Premium vehicle options. All are government agencies.
Get Your IDP for Cuba — From $29
Digital delivery in 1–2 business days (express as fast as 2 hours). Physical copy shipped worldwide. Valid for 1 year.
Apply Now →Cuba IDP FAQ
No. A valid licence from your home country is accepted in Cuba for up to 6 months — after that you would have to pass a Cuban driving test. There is no legal obligation to carry an IDP. Rental agencies, all state-run, ask for your licence and passport at the counter, and an IDP makes a non-Spanish licence readable there and at the police checkpoints that are frequent on major routes.
Car rental in Cuba requires advance booking. Vehicle availability is limited and all agencies are state-run. Demand far exceeds supply, especially in high season.
Yes. Fuel shortages are a regular occurrence. Stations may close without warning or have long queues. Always fill up when you see an open station and plan your route with fuel stops in mind.