Can a Briton Drive on Christmas Island? — IDP, No Side Switch

Christmas Island is a tiny Australian territory in the Indian Ocean, far closer to Java than to the Australian mainland, and for a British visitor it is one of the more reassuring places to drive — because the thing that usually goes wrong abroad does not apply here.

The verdict for British licence holders

As an Australian external territory, Christmas Island recognises a British licence, and an International Driving Permit is recommended to go with it. Carry the IDP, your UK licence and your passport together, and arrange the permit at home — you will not be able to sort one once you are this far out.

No side switch — the rare easy bit

Both the UK and Australia, and therefore Christmas Island, drive on the left. There is no flipping of instincts at junctions or roundabouts, which removes the single biggest hazard British drivers face in most overseas destinations. You can focus instead on the island itself rather than on which side of the car you are sitting.

What actually shapes driving here

This is a small, mountainous island where much of the land is national park and the road network is short. The famous detail is the annual red crab migration, when millions of crabs cross the island and roads can be closed or restricted to protect them — drive slowly and follow local signs in season. Published speed limits and a stated alcohol figure are not reliably documented for the territory, so we will not state numbers we cannot source; keep speeds low and do not drink before driving.

The emergency number is 112. Before you go, confirm your paperwork with the Driving Permit Checker and read who pays driving fines abroad to understand how penalties work under Australian rules.