Rental Cars & 4x4.
On Sal, a regular compact car is enough; on Santo Antão, a 4x4 quickly becomes a necessity. Here's how to pick the right vehicle for your island.
Driving at a glance.
- Side of the road
- Right-hand traffic
- Driving license
- Per the German Foreign Office, an international driving permit (+ national license) is required; some rental companies in practice also accept an EU card license alone
- Minimum age
- Usually 21-25 years depending on the rental company
- 4x4 recommended
- Santo Antão, Fogo (mountain roads)
- Regular rental car is enough
- Sal, Boa Vista, Maio (flat, paved)
- Road conditions
- Main roads paved, side roads often dirt/cobblestone
- Fuel
- Gas stations concentrated in larger towns
- Insurance
- Comprehensive coverage from the rental company recommended
What to know before renting.
Cape Verde has right-hand traffic. The German Federal Foreign Office explicitly describes an international driving permit (valid only in conjunction with the national German driving license) as required - don't rely on an EU card license alone being enough, even though some car rental companies in practice accept one for short tourist stays. The minimum rental age is usually between 21 and 25 years, sometimes with a young-driver surcharge.
The main roads between larger towns are generally paved, while side roads and rural connecting routes are often unpaved or laid with historic cobblestones - especially on Santo Antão, where colonial-era road-building practice still shapes the streetscape today. Drive generally slower than usual on such routes.
Where a 4x4 is really necessary.
Santo Antão 4x4 recommended
Steep, winding mountain roads with partly unpaved sections to remote ribeiras - an off-road vehicle significantly increases safety and comfort.
Fogo 4x4 recommended
The road to the Chã das Caldeiras volcanic area runs over unpaved volcanic-rock tracks - ground clearance pays off here.
Santiago Sometimes useful
Main roads well developed; for more remote mountain villages in the interior, a 4x4 is an advantage but not essential.
Brava & São Nicolau Sometimes useful
Mountainous terrain with some unpaved roads - a regular rental car is usually enough, a 4x4 adds comfort.
Sal & Boa Vista Not necessary
Flat and mostly paved - a regular compact car is entirely sufficient.
Maio & São Vicente Not necessary
Also mostly flat with a good road network - a standard rental car is enough.
Don't Skimp on Comprehensive Coverage
Because of potholes, cobblestones, and sometimes narrow mountain roads, generous comprehensive insurance on your rental car is advisable - minor paint damage from scrapes is not uncommon on tight passages.
Sources & status of this page
- Driving license requirement (corrected Oct 18, 2026): auswaertiges-amt.de explicitly describes the international driving permit (in conjunction with the national license) as "required." An earlier version of this page classified it only as "recommended as a precaution," which softened the official wording - now aligned with the Foreign Office's wording. That individual rental companies in practice rent out cars without it doesn't change the official requirement.
- Right-hand traffic: consistently confirmed by auswaertiges-amt.de and all other checked travel-info sources.
- Road conditions (main roads paved, side roads/cobblestones): matches the description on auswaertiges-amt.de as well as several independent travel reports on Santo Antão.
- 4x4 need on Santo Antão and Fogo: consistently confirmed by several independent travel blogs (incl. indietraveller.co, excursionmania.com) - this is traveler consensus, not an official classification. Some routes previously described as "only passable with a 4x4" (e.g. toward Monte Fontainhas) have, per more recent reports, been partly paved since then, somewhat easing the situation.
- Minimum age 21-25 years: standard industry rental practice, not a legal requirement - varies by provider between 18 (with a young-driver surcharge) and 25 years, so to be understood only as a guideline.
Questions about Rental Cars & 4x4.
Do you need an international driving permit for Cape Verde?
Yes, per the German Federal Foreign Office - the international driving permit is considered required, though only in conjunction with the national German driving license. In practice, some car rental companies also accept an EU card license alone, but you shouldn't rely on that.
On which islands do you need a 4x4?
Mainly on Santo Antão and Fogo because of the mountain roads and unpaved tracks - on Sal, Boa Vista, Maio, and São Vicente a regular rental car is enough.
Does Cape Verde have left-hand or right-hand traffic?
Right-hand traffic, like in most countries.
What are the road conditions like?
Main roads are mostly paved, side roads and rural tracks are often unpaved or cobblestone, especially on Santo Antão.
Is comprehensive insurance worth it?
Yes, because of potholes and narrow mountain roads, minor paint damage is not uncommon - generous coverage is advisable.
Driving license requirements and rental conditions can change - check current requirements directly with your chosen provider before departure.
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