Can a Brit Drive in Guyana? — Yes, and It's the Same Side as Home

Guyana drives on the left, exactly as in Britain, so the usual first-day panic about the side of the road does not arise. What does arise is GOV.UK’s warning about everything else: driving in Guyana can be dangerous because of reckless drivers, frequent hazards, poor street lighting and poor road conditions.

Your licence, the 60-day mark and hire cars

GOV.UK says you can use a UK photocard driving licence in Guyana. A paper licence may need updating to a photocard, or the correct version of the international driving permit alongside it. The point that catches people on longer trips is 60 days: after that you will need to buy a 4-week foreign driving permit. For a normal holiday it never matters.

If you are hiring a car, check the hire company’s own requirements before you fly. Rental firms may ask for things the law does not. The Driving Permit Checker is a quick way to see where your licence stands.

Everything from home still applies, including the roundabouts

The seating position, the direction of roundabouts and the lane you fall into when pulling away all match what you know. That frees up attention for the traffic. Take advantage: leave extra space, because the habit that stays from home is expecting other drivers to behave like British ones.

Limits in miles per hour

The town limit is well below the 30 mph at home. The alcohol limit is 0.08, the same as England and Wales, but the road conditions below argue for no alcohol at all before driving.

What GOV.UK warns about

• Night driving: drive with caution and take extreme care if you choose to drive at night. Street lighting is poor.
• Minibuses: keep a safe distance. GOV.UK says minibus drivers are responsible for many of the road accidents in Guyana.
• Airport transfers: if possible, avoid travelling to and from Cheddi Jagan International Airport late at night and before dawn. There have been fatal accidents caused by erratic driving.

Planning the first day

Because the side of the road is familiar, it is tempting to treat the first drive as routine. Resist that. Collect the car in daylight, not after a late flight, and do a slow circuit near the hotel to get a sense of how local drivers use gaps and horns. Keep the doors locked and bags out of sight while you drive, and check the car for dents and tyre condition before leaving the lot, so that nothing is disputed at return.

If your plans include leaving the coastal belt, ask the hire firm in writing what the car may and may not be used for. GOV.UK mentions river travel in its advice: use registered boat services with life jackets, do not travel by boat after dark, and use only scheduled ferries when crossing the Corentyne River into Suriname. Water taxis from Suriname to Guyana, known as backtracking, are illegal and can lead to arrest and deportation.

Taxis in Georgetown

Private taxis can be targeted by robbers, but GOV.UK still calls them the safest way for visitors to get around Georgetown. Use taxis from reputable companies, booked in advance or taken from official hotel ranks. Do not hail one from the roadside, and avoid public minibuses unless pre-booked from reputable sources. For many visitors, that is a better answer than driving in the capital at all.

Emergency numbers

In Britain you dial 999 for all three. In Guyana they are separate numbers, so write all three down. The Guyana driving guide covers the rest, and driving fines abroad explains who pays if you are stopped.

Sources

• GOV.UK, Foreign travel advice Guyana, Safety and security (UK photocard; correct IDP for a paper licence; 60 days then a 4-week foreign driving permit; driving conditions; minibuses; airport; taxis): gov.uk
• Guyana and United Kingdom road records on this site (speed limits, alcohol limit, emergency numbers).