Car rentals; visitor driving permits; and what to expect driving in Barbados.
If you plan to rent a car for less than six months, we recommend Drive-a-Matic, who we have found to be consistently trustworthy and reliable. For car rentals in excess of six months, we recommend leasing a car from a company such as Inchcape Barbados, as it is usually much cheaper than renting.
Visitors may drive in Barbados on a foreign driving licence as long as it is valid for the class of vehicle being driven.
If you are familiar with Visitor Driving Permits, please note they have been abolished and are no longer required to drive in Barbados on a foreign licence.
CARICOM nationals from Belize, the Commonwealth of Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines exercising the freedom of movement are permitted to drive in Barbados using their foreign licence for up to 12 months from the date of their arrival, before they must exchange it for a local licence.
You must pay a Vehicle Rental Levy to rent a vehicle in Barbados (maximum $35 per rental contract).
All gas stations in Barbados charge the same rate because fuel prices are fixed by the government. See current gas prices.
Remember to drive on the left side of the road.
Unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise, the speed limit on most roads is 60 km/h, except on the ABC Highway and Spring Garden Highway where the speed limit is 80 km/h. [1] However, the speed limit is lower in Bridgetown, at 40 km/h.
There are many roundabouts in Barbados. Unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise, the left lane is for turning left only.
Read more about what to expect driving in Barbados.
In Barbados, it is customary to reverse into a parking space (i.e. have the vehicle facing forward), making it easier and safer to exit a parking space when you're leaving.
It is illegal to park a vehicle on a footpath (i.e. a pavement or sidewalk). [2]
[1] Regulation 87(1), (2) and (4) of the Road Traffic Regulations, 1984 (as amended).
[2] Regulation 31(10) of the Road Traffic Regulations, 1984 (as amended).
Visitor Driving Permits have been abolished effective October 15th, 2025 and are no longer required to drive in Barbados on a foreign licence.
CARICOM nationals from Belize, the Commonwealth of Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines exercising the freedom of movement are permitted to drive in Barbados using their foreign licence for up to 12 months from the date of their arrival, before they must exchange it for a local licence.
Fixed penalty notices need to be paid to the Clerk of the Magistrate's Court for the relevant district mentioned therein. If the penalty notice states District A, you need to visit the Accounts Section of the Supreme Court, located at Whitepark Road in Bridgetown. [1] When you arrive, follow signs for the Registration Offices.
[1] District 'A' Magistrates Court has been temporarily relocated to the Supreme Court Complex at Whitepark Road, as of April 24, 2021.
Vehicles that are 10 years of age or older must pass a roadworthy inspection to be bought, sold or insured. Inspections must be performed by an authorised garage, or the Vehicle Inspection Division of the Barbados Licensing Authority.
In addition to Value Added Tax (VAT) at 17.5%, a fuel tax is applied at a rate of $0.40 per litre for both gasoline and diesel, and an excise tax of $0.9939 per litre for gasoline, and $0.44027 per litre for diesel.
These taxes are applied pursuant to the Fuel Tax Act, 2018 and the Customs Tariff (Amendment) Order, 2019.