Saint Lucia on a British Licence — Same Side, but You Need a Local Permit

Saint Lucia is one of the few Caribbean islands where a British driver keeps every habit from home, because traffic runs on the left. The two things to sort out are a local permit and the island’s steep, twisting roads.

The permit you buy on arrival

A UK licence on its own is not enough. Visitors without a Saint Lucian licence need a temporary driving permit. GOV.UK lists what the Department of Transport at the Union Complex in Castries asks for: your licence, passport, a passport-size photo and XCD 54 or USD 20. Canada’s travel advice adds that the permit is sold at car rental agencies, the airport immigration desk and police stations, so many visitors collect it with the car. Saint Lucia is not a party to the 1949 or 1968 road conventions, so an international driving permit does not replace it. Keep the permit, licence and passport in the car. The Driving Permit Checker covers other islands on the itinerary.

Left side, as at home

Saint Lucia drives on the left, exactly like the UK. Roundabouts and junctions work the way you expect, which leaves all your attention for the terrain.

Roads that set the pace

GOV.UK describes minor and rural roads as narrow, with steep gradients, hairpin bends and blind corners, plus potholes, speed bumps and stretches without lighting at night. It singles out the east coast road to and from Hewanorra International Airport for frequent accidents. The west coast run from Castries to Soufrière is slow for the same reasons, so allow far more time than the distance suggests and use low gears on descents.

Alcohol and emergencies

WHO lists a blood alcohol limit of 0.08 g/dl, the same as England and Wales and higher than Scotland’s 0.05; treat it as zero on these gradients. After an accident, call the police and do not move the car. Emergencies: 911, with police also on 999. See our Saint Lucia driving guide for more.

Sources

• GOV.UK foreign travel advice, St Lucia: safety and security (temporary permit documents and XCD 54 / USD 20 fee; Department of Transport, Union; road conditions; Hewanorra road): gov.uk
• Global Affairs Canada, Saint Lucia travel advice (permit from rental agencies, airport immigration desk or police; left-hand traffic; police 999, medical and fire 911): travel.gc.ca
• WHO Global status report on road safety 2023, Saint Lucia profile (0.08 g/dl): who.int
• UN Treaty Collection, 1949 and 1968 Conventions on Road Traffic (Saint Lucia not listed in either): treaties.un.org
• GOV.UK, the drink-drive limit (80 mg in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; 50 mg in Scotland): gov.uk