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Car hire in Vanuatu
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Driving in Vanuatu on an Australian licence
International Driving Permit rules and car hire for Australians.
No - your Australian licence is enough in Vanuatu.
An Australian licence is accepted in Vanuatu for visits. An International Driving Permit is not required.
Drives on the rightOpposite to Australia
Minimum age 23For most hire companies
$70-$130Typical daily hire
No IDP needed1949 Geneva Convention
Is hiring a car in Vanuatu worth it?
Worth it on Efate, where a sealed ring road circles the island. On the outer islands, arrange a driver locally instead.
Typical daily hire runs $70-$130.
Where to hire a car in Vanuatu
Prices are indicative, shown in AUD and refreshed from provider APIs where available. Always confirm the final price on the provider's site - it is the price that applies. We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never changes what you pay. A row labelled "Featured partner" holds a paid position at the top of the table. Partners are listed before providers who pay us nothing, as our terms set out; sorting by price ignores all of that and orders on the number alone. How we make money.
What Australian drivers need to know in Vanuatu
- Vanuatu drives on the right, unlike Australia - this is the single thing most likely to catch an Australian driver out.
- Roads outside Port Vila and Luganville are largely unsealed and need a 4WD after rain.
- Speed limits are low and enforced in town; livestock and children on the road are common everywhere else.
- Fuel is expensive and stations are sparse outside the two main towns.
Your licence is enough, but the vehicle class still matters. Australian policies exclude claims from driving without a valid licence for that vehicle. Check your policy covers the vehicle you actually intend to hire.
More Vanuatu essentials
Vanuatu visa and entry rules
Passport, visa, arrival cards and customs rules for Australian passport holders.
Flights to Vanuatu
Search fares from Australia, then sort the rest of the trip.
Vanuatu eSIM plans
Instant data, no physical SIM required.
Vanuatu travel insurance
Medical, cancellation and luggage cover for Australian travellers.
Vanuatu money and cards
Cards, cash and FX fees for Australian travellers.
Vanuatu airport transfers
Trains, buses, private transfers and taxis compared.
Vanuatu travel essentials
Adapters, plugs, tap water, tipping and health basics.
Things to do in Vanuatu
Attractions, tours and passes worth booking ahead.
Further reading: International Driving Permit: which countries Australians need one for
How these comparisons are made
Licence and permit rules come from the destination's road authority and the Australian motoring clubs that issue International Driving Permits, and each page states whether an IDP is legally required, required in practice by hire companies, or genuinely not needed - three different situations most sites blur into one. Read the full editorial policy.
Vanuatu driving FAQs
Which side of the road does Vanuatu drive on?
The right, unlike Australia. It is the thing most likely to catch an Australian driver out, particularly at junctions and roundabouts on Efate.
Planning Vanuatu?
We will send you the Vanuatu guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.