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Driving in Malawi
The rules of the road as our desk recorded them, native unit first.
Driving side
Left
Speed limits
50 / 80 / 100 km/h · 31 / 50 / 62 mph
urban / rural / motorway
International permit (IDP)
Recommended · Geneva 1949
English-language licences are accepted for short visits; an IDP smooths police stops.
Blood alcohol limit
0.08% (0.8 g/l)
Tolls
None.
Headlights
Not required by day.
Child seats
Not enforced; bring your own.
Left-hand traffic. The M1 is decent but shared with pedestrians, cyclists and goats. Never drive at night. Fuel availability is the real planning constraint - carry a jerrycan on long legs.