# Driving in Sabah as a Tourist: Licence, Roads and Car Hire Tips

> Visiting Sabah and planning to self-drive? What to know about your driving licence and international driving permit, driving on the left, the roads and picking up a rental car at Kota Kinabalu airport.

Language: en
Published: 2026-11-10 (November 10, 2026), 5 min read
Source: https://northborneorental.com/blog/driving-in-sabah-tourist-guide/

Self-driving is the easiest way to see Sabah at your own pace. If you are visiting from abroad, here is what travellers usually want to know before they pick up a car.

## Licence and permit

You need a valid driving licence to rent a car. If your licence is not in English or Roman letters, bring an International Driving Permit (IDP) with it. What a rental company accepts can change, so please confirm the requirements with us on WhatsApp before you fly. Bring your passport and your driving licence to the pickup.

## Driving on the left

Malaysia drives on the left, with the steering wheel on the right. If you are used to driving on the right, take the first drive slowly. Roundabouts go clockwise, and you give way to traffic already on the roundabout.

## The roads

The main roads around Kota Kinabalu, and the road to Kinabalu Park and Kundasang, are paved and signposted. Highland roads climb and bend, and rain can arrive quickly, so slow down and leave space between cars. Village roads can be narrow.

![Honda WR-V 1.5](https://northborneorental.com/cars/wrv-640.webp)

*Honda WR-V 1.5, RM270 a day*

## Fuel and navigation

Petrol stations are easy to find in towns and along main roads. Fill the tank before a long rural drive or the highlands. Mobile signal can drop in the hills, so download an offline map before you set off.

## Picking up at the airport

Pickup at Kota Kinabalu International Airport is free. Send us your flight details so we can meet you after you land. Our [request form](https://wa.me/60168400017) has a place for them.

## Which car, and where to go

Our [car guide](https://northborneorental.com/blog/best-rental-car-kota-kinabalu/) helps you choose by group size and roads. For a plan, see the [3-day self-drive itinerary](https://northborneorental.com/blog/kota-kinabalu-3-day-self-drive-itinerary/), and every booking comes with a [free itinerary](https://northborneorental.com/blog/free-itinerary-with-every-booking/).

[Send a car request on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/60168400017)

## Read next

- [Rent a Car in Kota Kinabalu: Which Car Should You Hire?](https://northborneorental.com/blog/best-rental-car-kota-kinabalu.md)
- [Free Itinerary with Every Kota Kinabalu Car Rental](https://northborneorental.com/blog/free-itinerary-with-every-booking.md)
- [Kota Kinabalu to Kundasang by Car: Kinabalu Park Day Trip](https://northborneorental.com/blog/kinabalu-park-kundasang-day-trip-by-car.md)
- [Corporate and Long-Term Car Rental in Kota Kinabalu](https://northborneorental.com/blog/corporate-long-term-car-rental-kota-kinabalu.md)
- [3 Days in Kota Kinabalu by Car: A Self-Drive Itinerary](https://northborneorental.com/blog/kota-kinabalu-3-day-self-drive-itinerary.md)
- [Kota Kinabalu to Kudat and the Tip of Borneo: a 2-Day Drive](https://northborneorental.com/blog/kudat-tip-of-borneo-2-day-drive.md)
- [Kota Belud and Tuaran Day Trip by Car from Kota Kinabalu](https://northborneorental.com/blog/kota-belud-tuaran-day-trip-by-car.md)
- [Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan and Sepilok by Car: a 3-Day Route](https://northborneorental.com/blog/kota-kinabalu-to-sandakan-sepilok-by-car.md)
- [Pesta Kaamatan in Sabah: Getting Around by Car During the Harvest Festival](https://northborneorental.com/blog/pesta-kaamatan-sabah-harvest-festival-by-car.md)
- [Best Time to Visit Sabah by Car: Weather, Holidays and When to Book](https://northborneorental.com/blog/best-time-to-visit-sabah-by-car.md)
- [Driving in Sabah in the Rain: Safe Tips for Tourists](https://northborneorental.com/blog/driving-in-sabah-in-the-rain.md)

## Other languages

- [English](https://northborneorental.com/blog/driving-in-sabah-tourist-guide.md)

## Contact

North Borneo Rental Car, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

- WhatsApp (bookings): [+60168400017](https://wa.me/60168400017)
- Email: northborneorental@gmail.com
- Website: https://northborneorental.com/