Rules of the Road · Verified August 2026

Driving Laws in Nicaragua

Everything a visitor needs before driving in Nicaragua — which side to drive on, the alcohol limit, national speed limits and licence requirements.

right

Driving Side

steering wheel on the left

0.05

BAC Limit (g/dL)

general drivers

—

Motorway Limit

no motorway class

recommended

Intl. Driving Permit

for foreign visitors

Speed Limits

National Default Speed Limits

Urban / Built-up

45 km/h

Rural / Open Road

—

Motorway / Highway

—

Defaults only — posted signs always override national defaults. Laws verified August 2026; rules change, so confirm with an official source before you travel.

Alcohol & Driving

Drink-Driving Rules in Nicaragua

General limit: 0.05 g/dL

Reaction time, judgement and night vision all degrade well below any legal threshold — the only limit that guarantees safety is 0.00. Alcohol is a factor in a large share of the world's fatal crashes, and enforcement in Nicaragua can include checkpoints, licence loss and jail.

Live Tracking

Nicaragua on the Live Map

Nicaragua has a WHO-estimated 18.3 road deaths per 100,000 people. See live accident reports and full statistics for Nicaragua.

Before You Go

Emergency Number

Save Nicaragua's emergency number before you drive — find it in our worldwide emergency numbers directory. And check your rental's tires with the tire age checker.

Nearby

Driving Laws in Neighbouring Countries

Honduras Costa Rica El Salvador Belize Guatemala Panama

Questions

FAQ

Which side of the road does Nicaragua drive on?

Nicaragua drives on the right-hand side of the road (like most of the world).

What is the drink-driving limit in Nicaragua?

The general limit is 0.05 g/dL BAC. Remember: impairment starts well below the legal limit.

Do I need an International Driving Permit in Nicaragua?

An IDP is recommended rather than strictly required for most visitors to Nicaragua — but rental companies and police may still ask for one, and it is cheap insurance.

Is it safe to drive in Nicaragua?

By the numbers, Nicaragua has a WHO-estimated road death rate of 18.3 per 100,000 people (global average about 15), which is well above the global average, so extra care is needed — it ranks 66 of 195 countries from most to least deadly. Traffic drives on the right. Most road deaths anywhere happen at night, at higher speeds and on rural roads, so plan long drives in daylight and follow the posted limits.