Drive on the LEFT
RequiredSamoa switched from right-hand to left-hand traffic in 2009, matching UK/AU/NZ: natural for UK drivers but most rental cars are still left-hand-drive imports from the US.
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Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in Samoa
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Samoa: 7 legal requirements + 7 other things worth knowing.
7
Required
2
Recommended
5
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Samoa
7 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
Drive on the LEFT
Samoa switched from right-hand to left-hand traffic in 2009, matching UK/AU/NZ: natural for UK drivers but most rental cars are still left-hand-drive imports from the US.
Temporary Samoan driving permit required
Foreign licences are NOT directly valid; you must buy a temporary visitor permit (around WST 21, roughly EUR 7) from the Ministry of Police or the rental company on arrival, presenting your UK/EU licence.
Passport with 6 months validity
UK/EU visitors get a 60-day visitor permit on arrival but the passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond entry.
Third-party motor insurance
Compulsory third-party insurance is included with all reputable rental contracts; check the policy covers unsealed/cross-island roads, as many inland tracks are excluded.
Speed limits 56/40 km/h
There are no motorways: open-road limit is 35 mph (56 km/h) and built-up areas are 25 mph (40 km/h): signs are posted in mph, a legacy of the pre-2009 system.
BAC limit 0.08 g/L
Drink-drive limit is 80 mg/100 ml (0.08 g/L), higher than most of the EU; police roadblocks are common around Apia at weekends.
Seatbelts and no handheld phones
Front-seat seatbelts are mandatory and handheld mobile phone use while driving is prohibited; fines are issued on the spot.
Driving rules
Speed limits 56/40 km/h
RequiredThere are no motorways: open-road limit is 35 mph (56 km/h) and built-up areas are 25 mph (40 km/h): signs are posted in mph, a legacy of the pre-2009 system.
BAC limit 0.08 g/L
RequiredDrink-drive limit is 80 mg/100 ml (0.08 g/L), higher than most of the EU; police roadblocks are common around Apia at weekends.
Watch for pigs, dogs and people
Good to knowLivestock, dogs and children routinely wander onto the road, especially through villages: locals expect you to slow to a crawl when passing fale (open houses).
Seatbelts and no handheld phones
RequiredFront-seat seatbelts are mandatory and handheld mobile phone use while driving is prohibited; fines are issued on the spot.
Emergency number 911
Good to knowDial 911 for police, fire or ambulance; response times outside Apia and on Savai'i can be very slow, so carry water and a charged phone on cross-island drives.
Documents
Temporary Samoan driving permit required
RequiredForeign licences are NOT directly valid; you must buy a temporary visitor permit (around WST 21, roughly EUR 7) from the Ministry of Police or the rental company on arrival, presenting your UK/EU licence.
1949 IDP recommended alongside licence
RecommendedSamoa is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention, so a 1949 IDP from the AA/RAC supports your home licence at police checks and car-hire desks; the 1968 IDP is not the relevant one here.
Passport with 6 months validity
RequiredUK/EU visitors get a 60-day visitor permit on arrival but the passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond entry.
Third-party motor insurance
RequiredCompulsory third-party insurance is included with all reputable rental contracts; check the policy covers unsealed/cross-island roads, as many inland tracks are excluded.
Vignette
No vignettes or tolls
Good to knowSamoa has no motorway sticker, e-vignette or toll roads of any kind: the entire road network is free to use.
Environment
Cyclone season Nov-Apr
RecommendedThe wet/cyclone season runs roughly November to April, regularly washing out coastal roads and the cross-island route; check conditions with your rental firm after heavy rain.
Money
Currency: Samoan Tala (WST)
Good to know1 EUR is roughly WST 3; petrol costs around WST 3.20/litre (~EUR 1.05/litre) and most fuel stations in Apia take Visa/Mastercard, but rural stations are cash-only with no tipping expected.
Cash declaration over WST 20,000
Good to knowYou must declare cash equivalent to WST 20,000 (about EUR 6,700) or more on arrival; ATMs in Apia dispense Tala and there is no legal way to obtain Tala abroad.
Plan your Samoa road trip
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Drive on the LEFT
RequiredSamoa switched from right-hand to left-hand traffic in 2009, matching UK/AU/NZ: natural for UK drivers but most rental cars are still left-hand-drive imports from the US.
Speed limits 56/40 km/h
RequiredThere are no motorways: open-road limit is 35 mph (56 km/h) and built-up areas are 25 mph (40 km/h): signs are posted in mph, a legacy of the pre-2009 system.
BAC limit 0.08 g/L
RequiredDrink-drive limit is 80 mg/100 ml (0.08 g/L), higher than most of the EU; police roadblocks are common around Apia at weekends.
Seatbelts and no handheld phones
RequiredFront-seat seatbelts are mandatory and handheld mobile phone use while driving is prohibited; fines are issued on the spot.