Like every other location, Saint Lucia has some unique driving rules that must be put into consideration if you intend to enjoy your ride. Generally speaking, these laws are just guidelines to keep the road safe for every user.

Before we dive into the important driving rules in Saint Lucia, it is pertinent to note that traffic in the capital city, Castries, can be very chaotic. At the same time, locations outside the urban areas are quite difficult to navigate, thanks to twisting roads and poor road maintenance. In addition, crime can be a major challenge in Saint Lucia. Therefore, visitors should be wary when driving at night and should drive with the consciousness that both animals and humans use the road due to a lack of pavements.

If you intend to visit Saint Lucia anytime soon or use our car rental services, this article is for you. Some of the most popular driving rules in Saint Lucia have been discussed below;

Common Driving rules in Saint Lucia:

a. Driving age

Drivers must be at least 18 years before sitting behind the wheels to drive in Saint Lucia. However, people who want to rent a car must present a valid ID that shows they are at least 25 years old and a maximum of 60 years old. Individuals who are under aged or above the 60 years benchmark will have to employ the services of a driver or use a shuttle service.

b. Seat belts

Use of a seat belt is compulsory for passengers in the front seat. Passengers in the back seat are at liberty to wear or not wear the seat belt.

c. Speed limit

Excellent cars like the ones we have in our fleet provide comfort and class, thus allowing visitors to enjoy every ride. When behind the wheels, it is important to remember that driving in both rural and urban areas of Saint Lucia has different speed limits. While drivers are required to maintain a speed of 80km/h on open roads, this speed is reduced to 50km/h on urban roads. Make sure you pay attention to the road signs to know your best speed limit on a road.

d. Documents

Drivers are required to have a driving license and a local driving permit that allows them to drive for a maximum of three months, after which the carrier may be regarded as driving illegally. The driving documents should always be in your possession.

e. Safety camera device

While using mobile safety cameras is not illegal in Saint Lucia, you should know that the roads are not in good shape to accommodate speeding. On this note, it is highly recommended that you adhere to the speed limits to avoid crashing. Any form of distractions should be removed from the vehicle.

f. Traffic lights

There are only a few sets of traffic lights on Saint Lucian roads, and they are programmed based on the international sequencing standard as stated by the Vienna Convention. This should not be difficult to use as long as you are familiar with traffic lights.

g. Toll roads

There are no toll roads in Saint Lucia.

h. Speed cameras

Although there are no fixed cameras in Saint Lucia, the police may use mobile speed cameras in speed checks. Exceeding the prescribed speed limit can attract lead to receiving a penalty ticket. Make sure you stick to the rules.

i. Use of mobile phone when driving

It is highly illegal to use mobile phones while driving in Saint Lucia. Car users are, however, advised to use a hands-free kit if they may need to use their mobile phones.

j. Parking

Parking in Saint Lucia is not an issue as long as you don't barricade the road or leave your vehicle unattended for more than 24 hours. Parking is free in almost all regions of Saint Lucia except the capital city, where you may need to pay some parking charges. Note that there are no concessions for disabled drivers, perhaps because it is not considered necessary. You can always ask the locals for help if you are looking for disabled parking spaces.

Conclusion

Driving in Saint Lucia is as fun as visiting the beaches. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about our fleet of cars or services. We will love to hear from you soon.