Guide to Driving In Trinidad and Tobago - Drive Safe in Trinidad and Tobago

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

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

55 kph

urban
More info  

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

80 kph

rural
More info  

motorway speed limit

110 kph

speed limit
More info  

Drink Drive Limit

 80mg

drink and drive limit
More info  
urban
You drive in Trinidad and Tobago on the Left side  
urban
The currency in Trinidad and Tobago is TTD
urban
To rent a car is  25 years and to drive is 17 years of age
urban
Current fuel price in Trinidad and Tobago 0.59 €/Ltr

Driving Laws in Trinidad and Tobago

Driving in Trinidad and Tobago
Pocket guide to driving in Trinidad and Tobago
Profile:
Trinidad and Tobago
Port of Spain
TTD
Driving in Trinidad and Tobago
SPEED: (kph)
55
80
110
Speed limit in Trinidad and Tobago
Holiday:
Rush hour in Trinidad and Tobago
Cameras:
YES
YES
Speed cameras in Trinidad and Tobago
FUEL:
0.59
0.33
EUR/Litre
Fuel prices in Trinidad and Tobago
See World Fuel Prices for full statistics
MIN AGE:
17
25
Min driving age in Trinidad and Tobago
DRINK:
80mg
Blood alcohol content
Drink driving in Trinidad and Tobago
EMERGENCY:
911/999
Emergency phone number in Trinidad and Tobago
DOCUMENT:
Driving documents in Trinidad and Tobago
PHONES:
Yes
Hands free only
Mobile phone driving in Trinidad and Tobago
SEATBELTS:
Yes
No
Seat belt in Trinidad and Tobago

Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in Trinidad and Tobago?

In Trinidad driving is on the left. There are no left turns on a red light and u-turns are illegal. Trinidad has one of the biggest carnival celebrations in the world and you should avoid driving at this time. It takes place two days before Ash Wednesday and the whole island goes crazy.

Trinidad Carnivals

During the rest of the year it is a good rule at the avoid rush hour anyway with the area around Queen's Park Savannah getting particularly congested. One of the biggest hazards on the roads is taxi drivers as they often do not obey rules and can stop suddenly and without warning. In particular Maxi Taxis are often involved in accidents when they stop to drop off passengers. Keep a safe distance. The biggest danger is probably pedestrians as they tend across whenever they feel like rather than waiting for lights to change. Although this jaywalking is not legal you will be the one who gets in a lot of trouble if there is an accident.

Trinidad does also suffer from relatively high crime rates. Some people believe that having a licence plate with the letter R (rental) makes them a target, and so vehicles are sometimes rented with the letter P on the licence plate. This is in fact illegal and you are more likely to get good service with the R cars. Driving after dark or in bad neighbourhoods in Trinidad is to be avoided. Some of the rural roads are lined with cow dung and this is known as ‘leepay’, but the trend is gradually getting phased out as the island becomes wealthier.

Rules of the road

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Emergency Services Numbers

Police Police: 999 or 911

Police Fire: 811

Police Ambulance: 990

Notes: Ambulance 811, and Coast Guard (for boating emergencies) 634-4440. The Anti-Crime hotline is 555 or 800-TIPS, and the kidnapping hotline is 623-6793

DieselUnleaded
Jan , 2016

€ 0.33

€ 0.59

Jan , 2008

€ 0.00

€ 0.53

Jan , 2006

€ 0.29

€ 0.52

Jan , 2004

€ 0.30

€ 0.44

Parking Information

Parking regulations

Parking is very haphazard in the capital Port of Spain and pretty much anything goes. Always park your car in a safe place and never leave any valuables in the vehicle.

Trinidad Parking
Parking regulations
 
In most parts of Trinidad and Tobago, parking is free and flexible. It's safer for your car – and sometimes yourself, to pay to park in a secure parking lot.
 
Paid parking
 
There isn't much in the way of paid parking unless you're in the capital or other bigger towns. It's likely that the parking will be some waste ground with a hut where you'll pay. 
 
Enforcement
 
There are few places where you'll find you can't park so unless you are really unlucky or park in a dangerous or obstructive place you will have few problems. 
 
Disabled parking
 
There are no special arrangements for mobility impaired drivers in Trinidad and Tobago but usually you'll be helped to find somewhere more accessible.
 

Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Police Police: 999 or 911

Police Fire: 811

Police Ambulance: 990

In an Emergency you can call the police on 999 or ring 990 for the ambulance and 811 for the fire service.

The United States Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago is at 15 Queen's Park, West Port of Spain and can be contacted on (868) 622-6371. Their website is https://tt.usembassy.gov/

The British High Commission in Trinidad and Tobago is at 19 St Clair Avenue, St Clair, Port of Spain and can be connected on (00) (1) (868) 350 0444. Their website is http://ukintt.fco.gov.uk/en

What to do in an emergency

Call the police on 999 if anyone is hurt or if there is serious damage to vehicles or property. You should also call your rental company. Get the licence number, name and insurance company of the other driver. Unfortunately there are many drivers on the road in Trinidad and Tobago who do not have valid insurance and this can be a problem. Try to take photographs if you can. Also attempt to get the names and addresses of any witnesses.

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Handy Phrases

Trinidadians speak a local dialect in a charming sing song. You may find it hard to understand them at times, but most likely they will understand you.

Trinidad and Tobago Fuel Price History

DieselUnleaded
Jan , 2016

€ 0.33

€ 0.59

Jan , 2008

€ 0.00

€ 0.53

Jan , 2006

€ 0.29

€ 0.52

Jan , 2004

€ 0.30

€ 0.44

Jan , 2002

€ 0.19

€ 0.35

Jan , 2000

€ 0.20

€ 0.40

Jan , 1998

€ 0.22

€ 0.42

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Jan , 2016 0.33 0.59
Jan , 2008 0.00 0.53
Jan , 2006 0.29 0.52
Jan , 2004 0.30 0.44
Jan , 2002 0.19 0.35
Jan , 2000 0.20 0.40
Jan , 1998 0.22 0.42
Phil Partridge
Posted by Phil Partridge
About the Author -

Travel writer, car rental guru, Phil has rented cars all over the world and shares his knowledge and experience on the Rhinocarhire.com Blog. Favourite country to visit: France.

Visitor Comments

  • 31/10/2018

    Aamron Shageer

    1. There are NO toll highways or any other roads in Trinidad and Tobago. 2. Both drivers permit (licence) AND an insurance certificate for the vehicle are mandatory requirements for driving in Trinidad and Tobago. 3. Your tone is extremely condescending. Yet we are not very developed here but you paint a picture of a very backward society.