Cuba (CU)
Cuba is a unique socialist island nation of 11 million people in the Caribbean — a country of vintage American cars, world-famous cigars, Havana salsa, colonial architecture, and extraordinary natural beauty.
Driving in Cuba
Licence exchange, road rules, fines, buying a car, and cycling.
Cuba drives on the RIGHT side of the road. The road network ranges from the well-maintained A1 autopista (Havana–Santiago de Cuba) to severely potholed rural carreteras. Night driving outside cities is extremely hazardous due to unlit roads, cyclists without lights, livestock, horse-drawn carts, and poorly maintained vehicles. CUBACAR and REX are the two state car rental agencies — personal vehicle ownership by foreign nationals is not possible. Fuel shortages are a structural feature of the Cuban economy (2024–2026); always fill up when available. The PNR (Policía Nacional Revolucionaria) enforces traffic laws, and foreigners are subject to the same rules as Cuban drivers.
Driving Licence Exchange
Your home country driving licence is valid in Cuba for the duration of your tourist stay (up to 60 days on Tourist Card / Tarjeta del Turista). An International Driving Permit (IDP — the 1949 or 1968 convention version) is strongly recommended as Cuban traffic police may not recognise all foreign licences. For long-stay residents on work or study visas who wish to drive beyond the tourist period: a Cuban driving licence must be obtained through the relevant TRANSTUR/MITRANS authority.
EU licences carry no special reciprocity in Cuba. For tourist card stays (up to 60 days): your EU licence plus an IDP is accepted by rental agencies (CUBACAR/REX) and police. For long-stay residents on work or study visas: obtain a Cuban driving licence through TRANSTUR/MITRANS — written theory test (prueba teórica) in Spanish, medical examination at a Policlínico, and practical driving test. Bring a certified Spanish translation of your EU licence.
An IDP is strongly recommended alongside any foreign licence — some checkpoints are unfamiliar with EU licence formats.
Russia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Mexico, Canada
Cuba has informal or bilateral recognition arrangements with some countries. In practice the process is the same: IDP + home licence for tourist stays; TRANSTUR/MITRANS process for residents. Spanish-language licences (Mexico, Venezuela, Bolivia) do not require translation.
Bilateral recognition lists are not publicly updated and may have changed. Always verify current requirements with TRANSTUR at your nearest provincial office.
Tourist card stay (up to 60 days): home country licence + IDP accepted by rental agencies and police. Long-stay residents: pass theory test (prueba teórica) at a TRANSTUR centre, medical examination, and practical driving test — all in Spanish. Certified Spanish translation of foreign licence required if not in Spanish.
US citizens face additional restrictions due to OFAC embargo regulations — most international rental companies cannot serve US passport holders in Cuba. Use CUBACAR or REX directly.
Road Rules
50 km/h in cities and towns | 90 km/h on national highways (carreteras) | 100 km/h on autopistas (limited-access highways). Speed limits enforced by PNR with radar at main routes.
0.00% BAC — zero tolerance. Breath testing is conducted at PNR checkpoints and accident scenes. Any detectable alcohol = immediate fine, licence suspension, and possible criminal prosecution.
Mobile phone use while driving is prohibited. Hands-free use is permitted. Fine: 500–1,000 CUP for handheld use.
Mandatory for all occupants in all seating positions. Fine: 200–500 CUP. Always wear seatbelt — also critical given road conditions.
Child seats are legally required for children under a minimum age/weight threshold. In practice, enforcement is limited. Bring your own child seat when travelling with young children — rental agencies rarely provide them.
Traffic Fines (Bußgeldkatalog)
Traffic fines in Cuba are paid at PNR (Policía Nacional Revolucionaria) stations. Rental agencies may process fines against your deposit. Always obtain a written receipt (recibo) for any fine paid. Do not pay unofficial cash to police officers on the road — all fines should be documented. In the event of an accident: do NOT move the vehicle until police arrive — this is a legal requirement in Cuba. Obtain a parte de accidente (accident report) from the PNR and contact your rental agency immediately.
| Offence | Fine | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Drink driving (any detectable alcohol) | 1,000–3,000 CUP + licence suspension + possible criminal prosecution | Licence suspension |
| Speeding up to 20 km/h over limit | 500–800 CUP | — |
| Speeding over 20 km/h over limit | 1,000–2,000 CUP + possible licence suspension | Possible suspension |
| Mobile phone while driving (handheld) | 500–1,000 CUP | — |
| Seatbelt not worn | 200–500 CUP | — |
| Not carrying required documents | 200–500 CUP | Always carry originals |
| Running a red light | 500–1,500 CUP | — |
| Parking violation | 100–500 CUP depending on severity | — |
Buying a Car
Foreign nationals (tourists, temporary work visa holders) CANNOT buy private vehicles in Cuba. Vehicle ownership is restricted to Cuban citizens and permanent residents. Some diplomatic staff may own vehicles registered under diplomatic plates. For foreigners wishing to drive: car rental through CUBACAR or REX is the only legal option.
- 1.Only Cuban citizens and permanent legal residents may purchase vehicles in Cuba
- 2.Vehicle transactions among Cubans are formalised at notaría with MTSS and transport ministry registration
- 3.Foreign nationals: use CUBACAR (cubacarrenta.cu) or REX car rental — reserve online before arrival or at airport desks
- 4.Rental rates: approximately $50–150 USD/day depending on vehicle class; insurance included in base rate
- 5.Fuel: CUPET and CIMEX petrol stations on main routes — rental agencies specify which stations to use
- •Verify rental insurance coverage and exclusions (windscreen, tyres, and theft of contents are often excluded)
- •Document all pre-existing damage on the vehicle before accepting — photograph every panel, wheel, and windscreen
- •Confirm emergency number for your rental agency
- •Understand what happens if the car breaks down — breakdowns are not uncommon with older Cuban rental vehicles
- •Verify fuel type required for your specific rental vehicle
Car rental: $50–150 USD/day. Fuel: approximately $1.20–1.50 USD/litre when available. Parking: informal attendant fees 20–50 CUP in central Havana. Motorway toll: not applicable (Cuba has no private tolls). Fines paid at PNR.
Registration, Insurance & Tax
Foreign nationals cannot register personal vehicles in Cuba. Vehicle registration is the responsibility of the rental agency (CUBACAR/REX) for rental vehicles, or Cuban citizens for privately owned vehicles. If you are a diplomat with a personal vehicle, registration is handled through MINREX in coordination with Cuban transport authorities.
Third-party motor insurance is mandatory in Cuba. Rental vehicles through CUBACAR and REX include basic third-party insurance in the daily rate. Ensure you understand exclusions: Cuban rental insurance frequently excludes windscreen damage, tyre punctures, and theft of items left in the vehicle. Additional comprehensive coverage is available at $10–20 USD/day extra. ESICUBA (Cuban state insurer) underwrites rental car insurance. In an accident: do NOT move the vehicle until PNR arrives — moving the vehicle before police documentation can void insurance and create criminal liability.
Vehicle ownership tax does not apply to foreign nationals in Cuba as foreigners are not permitted to own vehicles privately. Rental vehicle costs include all state fees. Cuban citizens pay MITRANS-administered annual fees based on vehicle type.
Periodic vehicle technical inspections are administered by MITRANS for Cuban-registered vehicles. Foreign nationals driving rental vehicles: inspection and maintenance are the responsibility of CUBACAR/REX — do not accept a rental vehicle that is visibly unroadworthy; document all concerns before departing the rental lot.
Cycling
Cuba has a strong cycling culture, particularly in smaller cities and rural areas. In Havana, cycling is growing among expats and environmentally conscious residents. The main hazards are road conditions (potholes, no dedicated cycle lanes), traffic, and theft — use a quality lock. Cycling long distances between cities is popular with touring cyclists, who can find accommodation at casas particulares throughout the island.
- •Cyclists must obey all traffic signals and road signs
- •Lights are required for night cycling — front white light and rear red light
- •Helmets are not legally mandatory but strongly recommended for road cycling
- •Bicycles are prohibited on some autopista sections — check local signage
- •Cyclists should ride on the right side of the road with traffic
- •Cyclists should use hand signals when turning
- •Use a robust lock — bicycle theft is common in Cuban cities; double-lock where possible
- •Carry a puncture repair kit and spare inner tube — bicycle parts are difficult to source in Cuba
- •Avoid night cycling on rural roads — unlit roads, animals, and cyclists without lights make this extremely hazardous
- •The Malecón in Havana is a popular cycling route — beautiful but heavy with traffic; early morning is best
- •Cycle touring Cuba: carry sufficient water, food, and cash — services are unpredictable between cities
- •CICLOS bike shops (limited) in Havana for repairs — ask expat groups for current recommendations