Temporary local driving permit required
RequiredVisitors must purchase a temporary Antigua & Barbuda driving permit (around US$20 / EC$50, ~EUR 18) from the car rental company or police station: your UK/EU licence alone is not valid to drive.
← All country guides
Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in Antigua and Barbuda
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Antigua and Barbuda: 5 legal requirements + 9 other things worth knowing.
5
Required
3
Recommended
6
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Antigua and Barbuda
5 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
Temporary local driving permit required
Visitors must purchase a temporary Antigua & Barbuda driving permit (around US$20 / EC$50, ~EUR 18) from the car rental company or police station: your UK/EU licence alone is not valid to drive.
Valid home licence plus passport
Carry your full UK/EU driving licence and passport at all times; the temporary permit is issued against these documents and must be presented on request.
Drive on the LEFT
Antigua & Barbuda drives on the left like the UK: most rental cars are right-hand drive, so EU visitors used to LHD should request an automatic and take care at junctions and roundabouts.
Speed limits are low
Urban areas 40 km/h (20 mph), rural roads 65 km/h (40 mph); there are no motorways on the island and limits are strictly enforced in St John's.
Drink-drive limit 0.08% BAC
Blood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/100ml (same as England) but enforcement is sporadic: given narrow unlit roads and free-roaming livestock at night, do not drink and drive.
Documents
Valid home licence plus passport
RequiredCarry your full UK/EU driving licence and passport at all times; the temporary permit is issued against these documents and must be presented on request.
1949 IDP useful but not mandatory
RecommendedAn International Driving Permit (1949 Geneva convention) is accepted but the local temporary permit is what police actually check: most rental firms issue the permit on the spot.
Emergency number 911 / 999
Good to knowDial 911 or 999 for police, ambulance and fire; response times outside St John's can be slow, so note your rental company's roadside assistance number.
Driving rules
Drive on the LEFT
RequiredAntigua & Barbuda drives on the left like the UK: most rental cars are right-hand drive, so EU visitors used to LHD should request an automatic and take care at junctions and roundabouts.
Speed limits are low
RequiredUrban areas 40 km/h (20 mph), rural roads 65 km/h (40 mph); there are no motorways on the island and limits are strictly enforced in St John's.
Drink-drive limit 0.08% BAC
RequiredBlood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/100ml (same as England) but enforcement is sporadic: given narrow unlit roads and free-roaming livestock at night, do not drink and drive.
Expect potholes, goats and no street lights
Good to knowRoads outside St John's are narrow, poorly signposted and pothole-strewn; livestock (goats, cattle) roam freely and night driving on unlit rural roads is hazardous.
Tolls
No tolls or vignette
Good to knowThere are no toll roads, motorway stickers or electronic toll systems anywhere in Antigua & Barbuda.
Emissions / low-emission zones
No low-emission zones
Good to knowNo LEZ, ULEZ or emissions sticker scheme exists: any roadworthy rental is permitted in St John's and across the island.
Required equipment
No mandatory in-car equipment
RecommendedHi-vis vest, warning triangle and first-aid kit are not legally required, but check the rental car has a working spare tyre and jack before leaving the depot.
Money
Currency EC$: USD widely accepted
Good to knowLocal currency is the East Caribbean dollar (EC$, pegged at ~2.70 to USD); US dollars are accepted almost everywhere and most rentals/fuel stations take Visa and Mastercard.
Fuel around EC$15–17 per gallon
Good to knowPetrol costs roughly EC$15–17 per US gallon (~EUR 1.30–1.50 per litre); fuel stations are cash-friendly and tipping pump attendants is not expected.
Environment
Hurricane season June–November
RecommendedDuring the Atlantic hurricane season (June–Nov) flash flooding can render roads impassable within minutes. Check FCDO advice and local weather before driving across the island.
Plan your Antigua and Barbuda road trip
We'll build the itinerary, estimate fuel + tolls, and show EV chargers along the route, and this checklist appears automatically on every trip that crosses into Antigua and Barbuda.
Start planning →Popular destinations in Antigua and Barbuda
Places to add to your Antigua and Barbuda road trip.
Don't get caught out
Watch out for these
Drive on the LEFT
RequiredAntigua & Barbuda drives on the left like the UK: most rental cars are right-hand drive, so EU visitors used to LHD should request an automatic and take care at junctions and roundabouts.
Speed limits are low
RequiredUrban areas 40 km/h (20 mph), rural roads 65 km/h (40 mph); there are no motorways on the island and limits are strictly enforced in St John's.
Drink-drive limit 0.08% BAC
RequiredBlood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/100ml (same as England) but enforcement is sporadic: given narrow unlit roads and free-roaming livestock at night, do not drink and drive.