Can a British Driver Drive in Guam? — Yes, but on the Right, US-Style

Guam is a small, easy-going island to drive, but it is one where British habits work against you in two specific ways — and both come straight from the fact that Guam is an unincorporated territory of the United States.

The verdict on your UK licence

You can drive in Guam on your British licence for a tourist visit, with an International Driving Permit recommended to carry alongside it. As a US territory, Guam generally accepts a valid foreign licence for short stays, and the IDP simply gives officials and rental desks a standard translation. Bring your UK licence, the IDP and your passport, and check the specific terms of whichever rental company you use, since their own minimum-age and documentation rules can be stricter than the law.

The two American habits to relearn

First, Guam drives on the right — the opposite of the UK. The reflexes to retrain are the usual ones: pulling out, taking a roundabout or junction, and glancing the correct way before you move. Take your first half-hour somewhere quiet. Second, speed limits are posted in mph, US-style, not the km/h you would see across Europe; read the signs as miles per hour so you are not unintentionally slow or fast.

What we will not invent

We do not hold reliable published figures for Guam’s specific speed limits or its alcohol limit, so we will not guess at them. The honest guidance is to drive to the posted mph signs and treat the alcohol limit as zero — Guam follows US norms, where drink-driving is taken seriously and the safe figure for a visitor is none at all. The island is compact, the roads are reasonable, and most journeys are short; the real risks are the side switch and reading mph correctly. The emergency number is 911 across US territories.

Confirm your documents with the Driving Permit Checker, and if your trip also takes in the UK’s own zones, our London ULEZ and congestion charge guide is worth a look.