Car rentals; visitor driving permits; and what to expect driving in Barbados.
If you plan to rent a car for less than six months, we recommend Drive-a-Matic, who we have found to be consistently trustworthy and reliable. For car rentals in excess of six months, we recommend leasing a car from a company such as Inchcape Barbados, as it is usually much cheaper than renting.
Please note you must have a valid domestic or foreign driving licence to drive on a public road in Barbados. If you have a foreign licence, you cannot use it in Barbados without a valid Visitor Registration Certificate, commonly known as a Visitor Driving Permit.
Petroleum is expensive in Barbados due to the duties and taxes imposed by the government. However, all gas stations in Barbados charge the same rate because fuel prices are fixed by the government. See current gas prices.
Remember to drive on the left side of the road.
Unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise, the speed limit on most roads is 60 km/h, except on the ABC Highway and Spring Garden Highway where the speed limit is 80 km/h. However, the speed limit is lower in Bridgetown, at 40 km/h.
There are many roundabouts in Barbados. Unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise, the left lane is for turning left only. Learn more how roundabouts work in Barbados.
In Barbados, it is customary to reverse into a parking space (i.e. have the vehicle facing forward), making it easier and safer to exit a parking space when you're leaving.
Please be advised it is a road traffic offence to park a vehicle on a footpath (i.e. a pavement or sidewalk).
If your foreign driving licence has expired, you will need to get your foreign driving licence renewed before you can apply for a Visitor Driving Permit.
However, if your foreign driving licence is expiring (but has not yet expired), the validity period of your Visitor Driving Permit will be limited to the amount of time remaining on your foreign driving licence, or the maximum period allowed for the licence fee paid, whichever is sooner.
Foreign nationals only need a Visitor Driving Permit if they wish to drive on public roads in Barbados using a valid foreign driving licence.
It is not currently possible to apply for a new driving licence online.
However, if you have a Barbados ID card and your driving licence expired less than three years ago, you can renew your driving licence at ezpay.gov.bb. Once payment has been submitted via EZpay, you must visit the Barbados Licensing Authority at The Pine no earlier than two business days (but no later than eight business days) after payment, with a physical or electronic copy of your receipt, to get your plastic card replaced.
Fixed penalty notices need to be paid to the Clerk of the Magistrate's Court for the relevant district mentioned therein. If the penalty notice states District A, you need to visit the Accounts Section of the Supreme Court, located at Whitepark Road in Bridgetown. [1] When you arrive, follow signs for the Registration Offices.
[1] District 'A' Magistrates Court has been temporarily relocated to the Supreme Court Complex at Whitepark Road, as of April 24, 2021.
Vehicles that are 10 years of age or older must pass a roadworthy inspection to be bought, sold or insured. Inspections must be performed by an authorised garage, or the Vehicle Inspection Division of the Barbados Licensing Authority.