Tiny island nation with minimal road network
Good to knowPalau has roughly 125 km of paved roads, mostly on Babeldaob and Koror; no motorways, no tolls, no vignette system. Driving is a short-hop affair between villages and resorts.
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Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in Palau
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Palau: 6 legal requirements + 7 other things worth knowing.
6
Required
2
Recommended
5
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Palau
6 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
Valid national licence plus IDP recommended
UK/EU licences are accepted for short visits, but a 1949 Geneva IDP is strongly recommended and required by most rental firms. Carry your passport with you while driving.
Palau visa-free entry stamp
UK and EU citizens receive a free 90-day entry permit on arrival at Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR). Passport must be valid for 6 months beyond stay.
Drive on the RIGHT, but most cars are right-hand drive
Traffic keeps to the right-hand side of the road, yet the vehicle fleet is dominated by used Japanese imports with the steering wheel on the right. Overtaking requires extra caution.
Low speed limits nationwide
Urban limit 40 km/h (25 mph), open-road limit 50 km/h (31 mph) on the Compact Road around Babeldaob. There are no higher-speed roads.
BAC limit 0.08 g/L
Drink-driving threshold is 0.08% blood alcohol: higher than UK England (0.08) and most of EU (0.05). Police checks are infrequent but penalties include fines and jail.
Seatbelts mandatory, no mobile phones
Front-seat seatbelts are compulsory and handheld mobile use while driving is prohibited. Headlights must be on in rain or poor visibility.
Environment
Watch for typhoons, flooding and stray dogs
RecommendedHeavy tropical rain (especially July–October) causes flash flooding on the Compact Road; landslides occasionally close stretches. Stray dogs and crabs on the road at night are a real hazard.
Documents
Valid national licence plus IDP recommended
RequiredUK/EU licences are accepted for short visits, but a 1949 Geneva IDP is strongly recommended and required by most rental firms. Carry your passport with you while driving.
Palau visa-free entry stamp
RequiredUK and EU citizens receive a free 90-day entry permit on arrival at Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR). Passport must be valid for 6 months beyond stay.
Emergency number 911
Good to knowDial 911 for police, fire and ambulance. Response times outside Koror can be slow; medical evacuation insurance is strongly advised given limited hospital facilities.
Driving rules
Drive on the RIGHT, but most cars are right-hand drive
RequiredTraffic keeps to the right-hand side of the road, yet the vehicle fleet is dominated by used Japanese imports with the steering wheel on the right. Overtaking requires extra caution.
Low speed limits nationwide
RequiredUrban limit 40 km/h (25 mph), open-road limit 50 km/h (31 mph) on the Compact Road around Babeldaob. There are no higher-speed roads.
BAC limit 0.08 g/L
RequiredDrink-driving threshold is 0.08% blood alcohol: higher than UK England (0.08) and most of EU (0.05). Police checks are infrequent but penalties include fines and jail.
Seatbelts mandatory, no mobile phones
RequiredFront-seat seatbelts are compulsory and handheld mobile use while driving is prohibited. Headlights must be on in rain or poor visibility.
Money
Currency is US Dollar (USD)
Good to knowPalau uses the US dollar; no local currency exists. Cards accepted at hotels and dive shops in Koror, but cash needed for fuel stations, small shops and the $100 Pristine Paradise Environmental Fee on departure.
Fuel around USD 1.30–1.60 per litre (~EUR 1.20–1.50)
Good to knowPetrol stations are concentrated in Koror and along the Compact Road; fill up before circling Babeldaob as stations are sparse in the north. No tipping expected.
Required equipment
No mandated in-car equipment
RecommendedPalau has no legal requirement for hi-vis vest, warning triangle, first-aid kit or fire extinguisher. Rentals typically include a spare tyre and jack only.
Tolls
No tolls, no vignette, no LEZ
Good to knowThere are no toll roads, no motorway stickers and no low-emission zones anywhere in Palau. All roads are free to use.
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Drive on the RIGHT, but most cars are right-hand drive
RequiredTraffic keeps to the right-hand side of the road, yet the vehicle fleet is dominated by used Japanese imports with the steering wheel on the right. Overtaking requires extra caution.
Low speed limits nationwide
RequiredUrban limit 40 km/h (25 mph), open-road limit 50 km/h (31 mph) on the Compact Road around Babeldaob. There are no higher-speed roads.
BAC limit 0.08 g/L
RequiredDrink-driving threshold is 0.08% blood alcohol: higher than UK England (0.08) and most of EU (0.05). Police checks are infrequent but penalties include fines and jail.
Seatbelts mandatory, no mobile phones
RequiredFront-seat seatbelts are compulsory and handheld mobile use while driving is prohibited. Headlights must be on in rain or poor visibility.