Guide to Driving In Barbados - Drive Safe in Barbados

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Barbados and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

20 mph

urban
More info  

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

37 mph

rural
More info  

motorway speed limit

50 mph

speed limit
More info  

Drink Drive Limit

 No law

drink and drive limit
More info  
urban
You drive in Barbados on the Left side  
urban
The currency in Barbados is BBD/USD$
urban
To rent a car is  21 years and to drive is 16 years of age
urban
Current fuel price in Barbados 1.91 €/Ltr

Driving Laws in Barbados

Driving in Barbados
Pocket guide to driving in Barbados
Profile:
Barbados
Bridgetown
BBD/USD$
Driving in Barbados
SPEED: (mph)
20
37
50
Speed limit in Barbados
Holiday:
Rush hour in Barbados
Cameras:
NO
YES
Speed cameras in Barbados
FUEL:
1.91
1.57
EUR/Litre
Fuel prices in Barbados
See World Fuel Prices for full statistics
MIN AGE:
16
21
Min driving age in Barbados
DRINK:
No law
Blood alcohol content
Drink driving in Barbados
EMERGENCY:
211/311/511
Emergency phone number in Barbados
DOCUMENT:
Driving documents in Barbados
PHONES:
No
Hands free only
Mobile phone driving in Barbados
SEATBELTS:
Yes
Yes
Seat belt in Barbados
See here for current child seats law in Barbados

Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in Barbados?

In Barbados you'll drive on the left as you do in the UK.  Most of the roads are in very good condition but watch out for potholes when you get out into the countryside. The most pressing danger to watch out for is when driving at night. Many roads do not have pavements and so pedestrians usually walk on the side of the road where they may be difficult to see.

Barbados Roads

Roads are generally quite narrow and busy apart from the ABC highway. Also watch out for the buses and vans, they go much faster than you might expect. Having a map or a GPS is invaluable. Although Barbados is very small it is very easy to get lost, especially if you follow local instructions! If a driver flashes his headlights at you at an intersection this means that you can go ahead. Because of the potential for car theft, you should never leave valuables in an unattended vehicle and always park in well lit areas. You are advised never to pick up hitchhikers.

Rules of the road

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Emergency Services Numbers

Police Police: 211

Police Fire: 311

Police Ambulance: 511

Notes:

DieselUnleaded
Mar , 2024

€ 1.57

€ 1.91

Feb , 2024

€ 1.60

€ 1.94

Jan , 2024

€ 1.51

€ 1.85

Dec , 2023

€ 1.53

€ 1.87

Parking Information

Parking regulations

Parking regulations
 
Given the lax attitude to motoring in Barbados you might think that you can park just about anywhere but that's not the case. In the towns you must park only where there is a P sign or in municipal parking areas. In the villages you can park just about anywhere sensible. You need to make sure that where you do park, especially at night, is visible and well lit as there is a lot of car crime in Barbados. For that reason you mustn't leave anything valuable in your car. 
 
Paid parking
 
Paid parking can be found in the parking bays or in the municipal garages. Parking is cheap, usually around 30p an hour, wherever you park.
 
Enforcement
 
Barbados has traffic wardens who will happily issue tickets if you contravene regulations.
 
Disabled parking
 
There is no recognition of the European Blue Badge scheme in Barbados but if you need a more convenient place to park, just ask an attendant at a parking lot and they usually oblige for a few dollars.

Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Police Police: 211

Police Fire: 311

Police Ambulance: 511

The emergency services number is 211 for the Police, 511 for the Ambulance and 311 for the Fire Service. For driving advice contact the Barbados Tourism Authority at 212-986-6516

What to do in an emergency

If you are involved in an accident, do not admit liability even if it was your fault. Phone the police and your car hire company and wait for the police to arrive. Whilst waiting, you should try to take pictures and, after the police have arrived, make a note of the number, name and station of the attending police officers.

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Handy Phrases

English is the national language of Barbados often spoken with the traditional Caribbean lilt and sometimes with a smattering of local words.

You'll have no difficulty being understood.

Barbados Fuel Price History

DieselUnleaded
Mar , 2024

€ 1.57

€ 1.91

Feb , 2024

€ 1.60

€ 1.94

Jan , 2024

€ 1.51

€ 1.85

Dec , 2023

€ 1.53

€ 1.87

Nov , 2023

€ 1.50

€ 1.84

Oct , 2023

€ 1.57

€ 1.93

Sep , 2023

€ 1.54

€ 1.89

Aug , 2023

€ 1.49

€ 1.84

Jul , 2023

€ 1.49

€ 1.83

Jun , 2023

€ 1.59

€ 1.93

May , 2023

€ 1.59

€ 1.93

Apr , 2023

€ 1.68

€ 1.86

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Mar , 2024 1.57 1.91
Feb , 2024 1.60 1.94
Jan , 2024 1.51 1.85
Dec , 2023 1.53 1.87
Nov , 2023 1.50 1.84
Oct , 2023 1.57 1.93
Sep , 2023 1.54 1.89
Aug , 2023 1.49 1.84
Jul , 2023 1.49 1.83
Jun , 2023 1.59 1.93
May , 2023 1.59 1.93
Apr , 2023 1.68 1.86

Hiring a Car

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Barbados and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.
Kellie Hodge
Posted by Kellie Hodge
About the Author -

Travel writer, customer service guru, Kellie knows the ins and outs of car rental and always happy to share her knowledge on our blog. Favourite country to visit: Spain.

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