Tiny island with minimal road network
Good to knowNauru is a 21 km2 island with a single 19 km ring road and no formal car rental industry; most visitors borrow or arrange a vehicle informally through their hotel or host.
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Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in Nauru
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Nauru: 5 legal requirements + 8 other things worth knowing.
5
Required
2
Recommended
6
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Nauru
5 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
Carry passport and UK/EU driving licence
A valid national driving licence plus passport is required to drive; foreign licences are accepted in practice for short stays.
Drive on the left
Traffic drives on the left-hand side of the road, the same as the UK and Ireland.
Speed limit is 50 km/h island-wide
There are no motorways or rural highways; the single coastal ring road is limited to 50 km/h, dropping to around 30 km/h through settlements.
BAC alcohol limit 0.08 g/L
The legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.08 g/100 mL, but enforcement is light and zero tolerance is strongly advised given the narrow single-lane road.
Nauru visa required in advance
UK and EU passport holders must obtain a Nauru visa before arrival via the Nauru Immigration office; you cannot enter (or drive) without one.
Documents
Carry passport and UK/EU driving licence
RequiredA valid national driving licence plus passport is required to drive; foreign licences are accepted in practice for short stays.
1949 International Driving Permit
RecommendedNauru is not a signatory to the 1968 Vienna Convention, so carry a 1949-style IDP from the UK Post Office (GBP 5.50) alongside your photocard licence.
No vignette, tolls or emissions zones
Good to knowNauru has no toll roads, motorway vignettes, congestion charges or low-emission zones: the ring road is free to use.
Nauru visa required in advance
RequiredUK and EU passport holders must obtain a Nauru visa before arrival via the Nauru Immigration office; you cannot enter (or drive) without one.
Driving rules
Drive on the left
RequiredTraffic drives on the left-hand side of the road, the same as the UK and Ireland.
Speed limit is 50 km/h island-wide
RequiredThere are no motorways or rural highways; the single coastal ring road is limited to 50 km/h, dropping to around 30 km/h through settlements.
BAC alcohol limit 0.08 g/L
RequiredThe legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.08 g/100 mL, but enforcement is light and zero tolerance is strongly advised given the narrow single-lane road.
Emergency number 110 (police) / 111 (ambulance)
Good to knowDial 110 for police and 111 for ambulance/fire; there is one hospital (RON Hospital) and response times are short due to the island's small size.
Money
Currency is Australian dollar (AUD)
Good to knowNauru uses the Australian dollar; bring cash as ATMs are extremely limited (Bendigo Bank agency only) and card acceptance outside the Menen Hotel is rare.
Fuel around AUD 2.20-2.50 per litre (~EUR 1.35-1.55)
Good to knowPetrol is sold at the Eigigu service station in Aiwo; pay in cash AUD, and note fuel supply can be intermittent as everything is shipped in.
Required equipment
No mandatory in-car equipment list
RecommendedThere is no legal requirement for hi-vis, triangle or first-aid kit, but check tyres and brakes before borrowing any vehicle as roadside assistance does not exist.
Environment
Tropical climate, watch for road damage
Good to knowNo winter tyres or seasonal closures apply, but heavy rain can flood low sections of the ring road and the inland 'Topside' phosphate-mining tracks are rough 4x4 terrain only.
Plan your Nauru road trip
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Don't get caught out
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Drive on the left
RequiredTraffic drives on the left-hand side of the road, the same as the UK and Ireland.
Speed limit is 50 km/h island-wide
RequiredThere are no motorways or rural highways; the single coastal ring road is limited to 50 km/h, dropping to around 30 km/h through settlements.
BAC alcohol limit 0.08 g/L
RequiredThe legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.08 g/100 mL, but enforcement is light and zero tolerance is strongly advised given the narrow single-lane road.