Drive on the left
RequiredTraffic drives on the LEFT, same as the UK: a relief for British visitors but a hazard for EU drivers used to right-hand traffic. Most rental cars are right-hand-drive.
← All country guides
Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in Trinidad and Tobago
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Trinidad and Tobago: 7 legal requirements + 8 other things worth knowing.
7
Required
2
Recommended
6
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Trinidad and Tobago
7 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
Drive on the left
Traffic drives on the LEFT, same as the UK: a relief for British visitors but a hazard for EU drivers used to right-hand traffic. Most rental cars are right-hand-drive.
1949 IDP required alongside national licence
Trinidad and Tobago recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP. UK and EU visitors may drive on their home licence for up to 90 days, but car hire firms typically insist on a 1949 IDP plus the original licence and passport.
Passport and proof of entry date
Carry your passport (or a copy) with the entry stamp: police checkpoints may ask to verify you are within the 90-day visitor driving window.
Third-party motor insurance is compulsory
Minimum third-party cover is mandatory and is included in rental contracts; if bringing a private vehicle, arrange local cover on arrival as UK/EU green cards are not valid.
Speed limits in km/h
Urban 50 km/h, rural 80 km/h, and the Solomon Hochoy and Uriah Butler highways 100 km/h unless signed lower. Limits are signed in km/h.
Drink-drive limit 0.08% BAC
Blood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/100ml (0.8 g/L): higher than UK Scotland (0.05) and most of the EU (0.05). Police run breathalyser checkpoints, especially at weekends.
Seatbelts and no handheld phones
Seatbelts compulsory front and rear; handheld mobile use while driving carries a TT$1,500 fine and demerit points.
Driving rules
Speed limits in km/h
RequiredUrban 50 km/h, rural 80 km/h, and the Solomon Hochoy and Uriah Butler highways 100 km/h unless signed lower. Limits are signed in km/h.
Drink-drive limit 0.08% BAC
RequiredBlood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/100ml (0.8 g/L): higher than UK Scotland (0.05) and most of the EU (0.05). Police run breathalyser checkpoints, especially at weekends.
Seatbelts and no handheld phones
RequiredSeatbelts compulsory front and rear; handheld mobile use while driving carries a TT$1,500 fine and demerit points.
Aggressive driving and poor road markings
Good to knowLocal driving style is assertive: expect undertaking, sudden stops for 'maxi-taxi' minibuses, and unlit potholes. Avoid driving at night outside main towns; lane markings and street lights are often missing.
Emergency numbers 999 police, 990 fire/ambulance
Good to knowDial 999 for police and 990 for fire or ambulance. The TTPS also operates 555 for traffic incidents.
Documents
1949 IDP required alongside national licence
RequiredTrinidad and Tobago recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP. UK and EU visitors may drive on their home licence for up to 90 days, but car hire firms typically insist on a 1949 IDP plus the original licence and passport.
Passport and proof of entry date
RequiredCarry your passport (or a copy) with the entry stamp: police checkpoints may ask to verify you are within the 90-day visitor driving window.
Third-party motor insurance is compulsory
RequiredMinimum third-party cover is mandatory and is included in rental contracts; if bringing a private vehicle, arrange local cover on arrival as UK/EU green cards are not valid.
Inter-island travel by ferry or air
Good to knowDriving between Trinidad and Tobago requires the inter-island ferry (Port of Spain to Scarborough, around 2.5 hours fast ferry): book vehicle space well ahead, especially Carnival and Easter.
Required equipment
No mandatory in-car kit, but carry basics
RecommendedThere is no legal requirement for hi-vis, triangle or extinguisher, but rental cars usually include a spare tyre and jack. Check before leaving the lot as roadside assistance is limited outside Port of Spain.
Tolls
No toll roads or vignette
Good to knowTrinidad and Tobago has no motorway tolls, e-vignettes or congestion charges. All highways are free to use.
Environment
Wet season flooding June to December
RecommendedHeavy tropical rains cause flash flooding on the Caroni plain and landslides on the Northern Range roads. Check local news before travelling and never drive through standing water.
Money
Currency TTD, fuel around 0.45 EUR/litre
Good to knowCurrency is the Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD); fuel is heavily subsidised at roughly TT$4/litre for super petrol (~0.45 EUR/L). Fuel stations are cash-preferred outside cities: carry small TTD notes.
Cash declaration limit TT$20,000
Good to knowAmounts over TT$20,000 (approx 2,700 EUR) or foreign-currency equivalent must be declared to Customs on arrival and departure.
Plan your Trinidad and Tobago 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 Trinidad and Tobago.
Start planning →Popular destinations in Trinidad and Tobago
Places to add to your Trinidad and Tobago road trip.
Don't get caught out
Watch out for these
Drive on the left
RequiredTraffic drives on the LEFT, same as the UK: a relief for British visitors but a hazard for EU drivers used to right-hand traffic. Most rental cars are right-hand-drive.
Speed limits in km/h
RequiredUrban 50 km/h, rural 80 km/h, and the Solomon Hochoy and Uriah Butler highways 100 km/h unless signed lower. Limits are signed in km/h.
Drink-drive limit 0.08% BAC
RequiredBlood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/100ml (0.8 g/L): higher than UK Scotland (0.05) and most of the EU (0.05). Police run breathalyser checkpoints, especially at weekends.
Seatbelts and no handheld phones
RequiredSeatbelts compulsory front and rear; handheld mobile use while driving carries a TT$1,500 fine and demerit points.