Rules for overlanding in Mauritania
Our summary of the country advice published by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Viaggiare Sicuri) on 1 March 2026.
Which licence you need
- All vehicles — An Italian licence is valid for six months. Check what applies to the licence you hold.
An International Driving Permit states the categories it covers: check yours covers what you will actually drive. A car licence does not cover a motorcycle, and a heavy camper or a truck can need a higher category.
At the wheel
- Carnet and engagement — Customs asks for a carnet de passages. You may also be required to sign an "engagement sur l'honneur" undertaking not to sell the vehicle during your stay; that declaration counts as the circulation permit for a set period and can be renewed for a fee at customs or at other border posts.
- Insurance — Third-party liability cover is compulsory.
- Roads — Out of about 7,660 km of roads only 866 km are paved. Surfaces are generally in decent shape, but watch the sand along the edges, animals crossing and the inter-urban shared taxis (taxis brousse), which are a frequent cause of accidents.
- Night driving — Driving at night is dangerous and the ministry says to avoid moving after dark.
- Drive defensively — Prudent driving is essential. Minor collisions are frequent in Nouakchott, though usually without serious consequences for drivers or pedestrians.
- Foreign plates get stopped — Police in the capital systematically check vehicles with foreign plates. Stay calm and polite, and carry an identity document, keeping a copy somewhere safe.
- Land borders — Keep calm and courteous at land crossings even if the wait drags on. Overland movement to or from Mali should only go through Senegalese territory, and Mali itself is a destination advised against for any purpose.
- No coverage inland — Phone and internet coverage is not guaranteed in some interior regions.
What catches travellers out
- Alcohol and drugs — Importing, selling and drinking alcohol are prohibited in Mauritania. Possessing or using narcotics is prohibited and severely punished.
- Pork on board — Bringing in pork and pork products is strongly discouraged. Tourists found with cured meats have recently had their passport seized temporarily.
- Visa before you arrive — Since 5 January 2025 the visa must be applied for online, and you have to check on the same site that your application has been approved before travelling.
- Money — Taking local currency out is prohibited. Foreign currency has no limit but must be declared on entry, and on the way out you can export up to the declared amount; keep your exchange receipts, which customs often asks for. Change money only at authorised banks or hotels; cards work in some hotels and shops, and ATMs exist in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou.
Before you rely on this
This is our summary of advice written by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Italian travellers, published on 1 March 2026. We summarise in good faith, but we cannot guarantee it is accurate, current or complete, and we take no responsibility for decisions made on the basis of it. Rules change without notice and are applied by officials at the border, not by websites. Always read the original source and the travel advice your own government publishes for Mauritania before you travel. GuideMeet has no way of checking whether an individual guide meets any standard mentioned here — ask them directly.
Source: Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, updated 1 March 2026. Last checked by GuideMeet on 2026-09-20.