Driving in Antigua and Barbuda means left-hand traffic with rules that may differ from home. Several rules catch tourists off guard every year. Full guide with penalty calculator below.
Antigua and Barbuda 2026: 911 for Everything, Keep Left
Data verified:
3 min readAntigua and Barbuda drives on the left side of the road. The minimum driving age is 17. The general emergency number is 911. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08% BAC.
Antigua and Barbuda keeps traffic on the left, a holdover from British rule that still catches out drivers used to the right. The legal blood-alcohol limit sits at 0.08%, and in an emergency the number to dial is 911. Rental agencies here deal with foreign drivers daily, so ask about local road conditions before you leave the lot.
We could not find a published national speed limit for Antigua and Barbuda in an official source; the WHO road safety report says limits apply in St John’s and in designated speed limit areas, so follow the posted signs. The blood alcohol limit is 0.08% BAC.
Emergency Numbers in Antigua and Barbuda
General Emergency: 911 | Police: 911
Save these numbers before you start driving. In Antigua and Barbuda, emergency calls are free from any phone.
Speed Limits in Antigua and Barbuda
We could not find a published national speed limit for Antigua and Barbuda in an official source; the WHO road safety report says limits apply in St John’s and in designated speed limit areas, so follow the posted signs.
Important: Posted signs always override default limits. Watch for temporary restrictions in construction zones, near schools, and in residential areas.
Speeding Fines and Penalties
Speeding fines in Antigua and Barbuda vary based on how much you exceed the posted limit. Fines increase sharply for higher violations and may include licence points or driving bans for serious offences.
Traffic Rules and Regulations
Drive on the left side of the road. Overtake on the right. At roundabouts, traffic circulates clockwise: give way to vehicles already on the roundabout, which approach from your right, unless signs say otherwise.
Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants. Children must use appropriate restraint systems based on their age and height.
Using a hand-held phone while driving is prohibited. Hands-free systems are permitted.
Use headlights in poor visibility, tunnels, and at night.
Drink-Driving Laws and Alcohol Limits
The legal blood alcohol limit in Antigua and Barbuda is 0.08%. Penalties for drink-driving include heavy fines, licence confiscation, and potential imprisonment.
The safest approach is to not drink at all if you will be driving. Alcohol affects reaction time and judgement regardless of the legal limit.
Tyre Requirements and Regulations
Winter tyres are not a consideration in Antigua and Barbuda’s tropical climate; tyres in good condition are what matter.
Antigua and Barbuda’s minimum tread depth is not stated in any official source we could find, so treat tyre condition as your own responsibility.
Driving License Requirements
Always carry your original driving licence — photocopies are not accepted.
Parking and Fuel
Parking rules vary by city. Look for designated parking areas and always check signs for time limits and payment requirements.
Most fuel stations accept major credit and debit cards. In rural areas, keep your tank above half — stations may be far apart.
Practical Driving Tips for Antigua and Barbuda
- Download offline maps of Antigua and Barbuda before your trip — mobile signal can be unreliable on rural roads.
- Take a break every 2 hours on long drives. Fatigue is a leading cause of road accidents.
- Use our interactive tools on this page — compare rules with your home country and calculate potential fines before you set off.
Emergency Numbers in Antigua and Barbuda
These numbers are free to call and available 24/7. When calling, state your location and the nature of the emergency.
Avoid a fine in Antigua and Barbuda
Who pays a driving fine abroad, the hire-car admin-fee trap, and how to appeal.
Read the fine guideDriving in Antigua and Barbuda on a foreign licence
Nationality-specific licence, IDP & rules — pick where your licence is from:
Renting a Car in Antigua and Barbuda?
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Recent changes to this page
- Title reworded so the year sits with the subject instead of trailing the sentence.
- Tyre rules corrected: template defaults (1.6 mm tread, winter tyres not required, studded tyres prohibited) replaced with sourced rules or removed where no official source exists.
- Minimum driving age added: 17 for a car licence, from an official source (https://laws.gov.ag/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/cap-460.pdf).
- Roundabout sentence clarified: traffic circulates clockwise; a confusing template aside was removed.
- Removed the template speed limits and the 100 km/h motorway field; no verified national speed figure exists, so the page now says so and points to posted signs.
- Title and description tightened to the page's own data (title 50-60, description 140-155 characters).
- Title, description and introduction rewritten from this page's own data (no shared template wording).
Frequently Asked Questions
We could not find a published national speed limit for Antigua and Barbuda in an official source; the WHO road safety report says limits apply in St John’s and in designated speed limit areas, so follow the posted signs.
In Antigua and Barbuda, traffic drives on the left side of the road. Vehicles have the steering wheel on the right side. If you are visiting from a country that drives on the right, take extra care at intersections, roundabouts, and when overtaking.
Foreign visitors to Antigua and Barbuda should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their valid national driving license. An IDP translates your license into multiple languages and is recognized internationally. Check with the embassy of Antigua and Barbuda for the most current requirements.
Winter tyres are not a consideration in Antigua and Barbuda's tropical climate; tyres in good condition are what matter.
The general emergency number in Antigua and Barbuda is 911. These numbers are free to call and available 24/7. When calling, be prepared to state your location and the nature of the emergency.
Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is prohibited in Antigua and Barbuda. Hands-free systems (Bluetooth, speakerphone, or mounted devices) are permitted. Penalties for mobile phone use while driving typically include fines. For safety, always use hands-free solutions or pull over to use your phone.
When driving in Antigua and Barbuda, you should always carry: your valid driving license (and IDP if applicable), vehicle registration document, valid insurance certificate (Green Card for European countries), and your passport or national ID. Rental car drivers should also carry the rental agreement. Police may request these documents during routine checks.
Driving in Antigua and Barbuda is generally safe for tourists who are prepared. Before driving, familiarize yourself with local traffic rules, road signs, and driving customs. Consider downloading offline maps, carrying emergency supplies, and purchasing comprehensive insurance. Avoid driving at night in unfamiliar areas if possible.
Get Driving Law Updates
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