Driving in Tunisia – Questions

Hi there, I’m looking for info about driving a vehicle in Tunisia. Is it complicated? Do I need an international driver’s permit? Thanks for your help

Hi No problem with driving. A French license is sufficient, but it might be useful to have an international permit—it can come in handy if the police pull you over unfairly. I left mine at the Nabeul police station after refusing to pay a fine I thought was unfair. They confiscated my license... luckily, I had my pink permit as a backup! 😅

thanks for your message when did you go there?

I’ve been there three times: 1983 with my own car 1995 with a rental car 2022 with a rental car.

Very good, thanks! I’ll take note of your advice. I’ll check it out, thanks a lot!

Hi there,

Driving in Tunisia wasn’t too complicated when I was there about 35 years ago.

I don’t see why it would have gotten worse since then?

This official site says a French license is enough.

Hi, driving in Tunisia isn’t complicated, and a French license is enough. However, Tunisians pay very little attention to the rules of the road. It’s not uncommon to see vehicles going the wrong way around roundabouts or driving against one-way streets just to save time. You really need to stay super alert.

Hi there. They don’t want the international permit—it was the police who told us that. Driving here is pretty wild! Forty years ago there was no problem, and even twenty years ago when I moved to Sousse, but since then everything has changed a lot. The number of cars has skyrocketed, and the infrastructure hasn’t kept up. Plus, people drive however they want. Some days I just lose it. I don’t know if you’re bringing your own car or planning to rent one here, but here’s a good tip: get fully comprehensive insurance. On the road, stay patient and keep your eyes peeled in every direction. And watch out for two-wheelers—they’re really dangerous, often without lights or helmets. Also, be extra careful with pedestrians. The law here is "ABSOLUTE priority for pedestrians," which means no matter what happens, if you’re in an accident with a pedestrian, you’ll always be at fault. That’s why good insurance and extreme caution are a must. Well... I’ve been driving here for 20 years, and even if I get frustrated sometimes, I still manage just fine. Safe travels