Guide to Driving In New Caledonia - Drive Safe in New Caledonia

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

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

30 kph

urban
More info  

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

50 kph

rural
More info  

motorway speed limit

110 kph

speed limit
More info  

Drink Drive Limit

 50mg

drink and drive limit
More info  
urban
You drive in New Caledonia on the Right side  
urban
The currency in New Caledonia is CFP
urban
To rent a car is  18 years and to drive is 17 years of age
urban

Driving Laws in New Caledonia

Driving in New Caledonia
Pocket guide to driving in New Caledonia
Profile:
New Caledonia
Noumea
CFP
Driving in New Caledonia
SPEED: (kph)
30
50
110
Speed limit in New Caledonia
Holiday:
Rush hour in New Caledonia
Cameras:
NO
YES
Speed cameras in New Caledonia
FUEL:
EUR/Litre
Fuel prices in New Caledonia
See World Fuel Prices for full statistics
MIN AGE:
17
18
Min driving age in New Caledonia
DRINK:
50mg
Blood alcohol content
Drink driving in New Caledonia
EMERGENCY:
15,17,18
Emergency phone number in New Caledonia
DOCUMENT:
Driving documents in New Caledonia
PHONES:
No
Hands free only
Mobile phone driving in New Caledonia
SEATBELTS:
YES
YES
Seat belt in New Caledonia

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

A favourite for scuba divers the world over, New Caledonia attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year. This south pacific island, equidistance from mainland Australi and New Zealand is a magent for those wanting to explore the great barrier reef and surrounding natural wonders of the world. Heavily reliant on tourism, driving in New Caledonia shouldn't be anything to concern you. The road networks are generally excellent and provided you arrive on New Caledonia knowing what to expect when driving in New Caledonia renting a car shouldn't be a problem. Its capital city, Noumea has 2 airports both of which have an excellent range of rental cars and 4x4's to get you around New Caledonia safely. As an overseas French territory, in general the rules of the road in New Caledonia refelct that of driving in France. An interesting law that has passed to New Caledonia is the "Priorité à droite" which translates to 'Priority Right' which can represent a challenge for visitors from neighbouring Australia and New Zealand who both drive on the left and typically give way to the left.

driving in New Caledonia

Rules of the road

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Emergency Services Numbers

Police Police: 112

Police Fire: 112

Police Ambulance: 112

Notes: 16 for rescue at sea

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Parking Information

Parking regulations

Parking in New Caledonia generally poses little problem. Its capital, Noumea has over 6,500 parking spaces, of which 3,000 are available without charge.

Parking on Sunday's is always free in New Caledonia.

Outside of Noumea, there are little restrictions on parking, however common sense should prevail as not to block access / roads / junctions. Whilst parking enforcement is limited, should you leave your car is a dangerous / hazardous location the police will arrange for it to be towed.

Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Police Police: 112

Police Fire: 112

Police Ambulance: 112

In the event of an emergency you should all the emergency servies on the following numbers;

15 - Ambulance
17 - Police
18 - Fire

What to do in an emergency

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Handy Phrases

French and English are widely spoken, if you do not speak French, the following phrases may come in useful;
 
  • Where is the nearest petrol station? - Où se trouve la station-service la plus proche?
  • Turn right - tournez à droite
  • Turn Left – tournez à gauche
  • No parking - stationnement interdit
  • Slow - lent

 

New Caledonia Fuel Price History

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Hiring a Car

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

  • 18/08/2020

    Scott

    In Australia we do drive on the left but we also give way to the right if the intersection is not marked.
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