Guide to Driving In Bahamas - Drive Safe in Bahamas

Everyone in a moving car in the Bahamas must be properly secured with a seat belt.

All you need to have is your EU drivers licence or an international driving permit if you are from outside the EU or the US and the registration document. It’s always useful to carry proof of insurance too.

You have to be at least 17 to be able to drive in the Bahamas. If you're renting a car the minimum age is 21 but with some companies, it's 23 or 25. You may also need to pay a young driver premium.

Safety camera warning devices are illegal in the Bahamas and in any case the roads are such that speeding isn’t really that easy anyway. It’s always best to stick to the limit.

If you commit a traffic violation, you will be given a ticket detailing the offence, the fine and when and where to pay it. 

In the Bahamas, no child under the age of twelve can travel in the front of a car. Children under nine kilos must be strapped in a rear facing suitable car seat in the rear of the car. Up to eighteen kilos, they must be in an appropriate child seat. Over eighteen kilos but less than 145cm they must be on a booster seat.

A minimum of third party insurance is compulsory in the Bahamas and it’s useful to be able to prove you have it with your insurance certificate.

The level of blood alcohol permissible for a driver in the Bahamas is 80mg per 100ml of blood; the same as it is in the UK. The roads around the Bahamas can get a bit tricky to negotiate in places and you’d be advised to stick to the law.

All that is required is the use of common sense making sure other drivers know that you are engaged in towing and that the vehicle is securely attached. 

There are currently no fixed speed cameras in the Bahamas but there are regular mobile speed traps that will issue tickets if you are breaking the law.

You cannot use a mobile phone in the Bahamas without a hands-free kit. You will receive a ticket for doing so if caught.

In the Bahamas, traffic lights follow the rules of the Vienna convention so there will be no confusion for most drivers. Occasionally drivers will jump a red light so be careful when moving off on green.

There are no toll roads in the Bahamas but you will pay tolls for using bridges. The Paradise island bridge currently costs $2