Rules & Regulations
Please make sure you have read through our guide before you start driving in Guadeloupe.
- Drive on the right-hand side of the road.
- All occupants of the vehicle must wear a seat belt.
- Children under the age of 12 are not allowed to travel in the front of the vehicle.
- The use of a mobile phone whilst driving is illegal unless you use a hands-free set.
- Drink driving laws allow a blood-alcohol level of 0.05%.
- On multi-lane roads, the left lane is for passing.
- Traffic on main roads (with the yellow diamond signs) has the right of way to oncoming traffic.
- At roundabouts, traffic in the circle has the right of way.
Speed Limits
The standard speed limits are:
- Motorways: 90kph to 110kph
- Rural areas: 70kph to 80kph
- Built-up areas: 50kph
Things to Bring Along
Here are the tips on what equipment you need when driving in Guadeloupe:
- Full UK driver’s licence
- Make sure you have GPS and local road maps of the area that you are driving in.
Additional Information
Most of the roads in Guadeloupe are maintained and in fairly good condition. Winding roads are common in Guadeloupe.
In Basse-Terre, where the terrain is less developed, roads can become mountainous and have sharp turns that can make driving dangerous. Nighttime driving should be avoided, particularly in these mountainous areas, as roads may not be lit or marked.
Road signs follow the European conventions; directions and information signs are in French.
Be prepared to pay tolls around paths leading to the sea. Prices vary but are never too expensive.
Do not park your car under palm trees, as falling coconuts can damage the vehicle. There are car parks in most towns and cities. There is parking at nearly all hotels as well as at major sites. Traffic is rarely a problem in the cities but can get congested along the coastal roads.
Large petrol stations accept credit cards but small vendors do not.
Sixt has 5 branches in Guadeloupe including one at the Guadeloupe Pointe-à-Pitre airport.
