Transportation

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in Chad, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below is provided for general reference only, and may not fully reflect a particular location or circumstance.

In the capital city of N'Djamena, only the main roads are paved; although the government continues its construction program, hard surface highways are still limited in Chad; other roads are either hard-packed dirt or looser dirt and sand. During the rainy season (mid-June to mid-September) many roads become impassable or are restricted by rain barriers, while during the dry season, clouds of dust rising from the roads reduce visibility.

Visitors should take great care while driving. Both paved and unpaved roads are poorly maintained, and often have large ruts and potholes. All drivers should adjust their speed accordingly. At night, streets are not lit and drivers frequently operate cars or motorcycles without  headlights; it is imperative to watch for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and livestock, as they may not be visible until they are in very close proximity.

In cities, particularly N'Djamena, motorists share the roads with bicycles, motor scooters, pedestrians, and non-motorized wheelchairs. Lanes are not marked, and it is not uncommon for a normally two-lane thoroughfare to become a four-lane road during rush hours (generally 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday; 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Friday). Drivers are urged to be particularly observant at these times because motorists often attempt to overtake slower traffic by moving into oncoming lanes at high speeds. There are only a few traffic lights in N'Djamena, they are often out of service, and drivers frequently do not obey those traffic lights that are in service. Drivers yield to traffic on their right, particularly when entering  traffic circles.

In rural areas, drivers should watch for livestock crossing the roads, and for large birds  that rest on the roads.  Drivers should be alert to older transport trucks traveling between cities, which do not always have functioning headlights.

Emergency services are poor, so drivers should exercise extreme caution. Travelers should always wear seat belts. Seatbelt use is mandatory when traveling in Embassy vehicles. When traveling by car, be sure to carry a spare tire. Professional roadside service is not available. When traveling outside the capital, it is imperative to carry sufficient quantities of drinking water. Drivers should ensure that their gas tanks are at least half-full at all times, as gas stations are not widely available. Gas may be purchased in an emergency in bottles from roadside stands, but it is  of poor quality.

Travelers on roads in all areas of the country are subject to attack by armed bandits.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service between the United States and Chad, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the Government of Chad’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.