Getting around

Driving licence

• Passport: France

  French and international licences are not valid: you must obtain a Congolese licence from CONADEP (+243 816 233 271), near Ndolo airport.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Democratic Republic of the Congo, useful informationFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Democratic Republic of the Congo, safety
• Passport: Belgium

  According to Belgium, a Belgian licence in the European format is valid throughout the country.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  SPF Affaires étrangères (Belgium), Democratic Republic of the Congo: practical information

Driving locally

• Very few roads are paved (Kinshasa-Matadi, Kinshasa-Kikwit, Lubumbashi-Likasi, Kisangani-Lubutu). On long journeys, travel in a convoy of at least two vehicles, by day, and check whether a travel permit is needed.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Democratic Republic of the Congo, useful informationGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Democratic Republic of the Congo

Other transport

• Domestic flights are advised against: most airlines are banned in the EU. For the east, a scheduled service links Kinshasa and Kigali.

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  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Democratic Republic of the Congo, useful information

• Shuttles link Kinshasa and Brazzaville daily except Sunday, until late afternoon. Barges on the Congo river are strongly advised against.

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  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Democratic Republic of the Congo, useful information

• CONADEP (Commission nationale de délivrance des permis)

  Issues Congolese driving licences.

  Près de la Régie des voies aériennes, aéroport de Ndolo, Kinshasa+243 816 233 271

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Democratic Republic of the Congo, useful information· Oct 2, 2026