Driving in Caribbean Netherlands means right-hand traffic with rules that may differ from home. Several rules catch tourists off guard every year. Full guide with penalty calculator below.
Caribbean Netherlands 2026: Three Islands, One 911 Number
Data verified:
3 min readCaribbean Netherlands drives on the right side of the road. The minimum driving age is 18. The general emergency number is 911. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05% BAC.
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Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba together form the Caribbean Netherlands, and traffic on all three keeps to the right. Renters flying between the islands do not need to relearn which side to drive on, since the rule holds constant island to island. Dial 911 for any emergency; the line is free from mobile and landline phones alike.
Bonaire and Sint Eustatius set 40 km/h in built-up areas and 60 km/h outside them in their own road traffic ordinances, while Saba sets 30 km/h built-up and 60 km/h outside; none of the three islands has a motorway. Bonaire and Sint Eustatius use 0.5 mg of alcohol per millilitre of blood (0.05%), while Saba uses 0.8 mg per millilitre (0.08%).
Emergency Numbers in Caribbean Netherlands
General Emergency: 911 | Police: 911
Save these numbers before you start driving. In Caribbean Netherlands, emergency calls are free from any phone.
Speed Limits in Caribbean Netherlands
Bonaire and Sint Eustatius set 40 km/h in built-up areas and 60 km/h outside them in their own road traffic ordinances, while Saba sets 30 km/h built-up and 60 km/h outside; none of the three islands has a motorway.
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 Caribbean Netherlands 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 right side of the road. Overtake on the left. At roundabouts, traffic circulates anticlockwise: give way to vehicles already on the roundabout, which approach from your left, 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
Bonaire and Sint Eustatius set the limit at 0.5 mg of alcohol per millilitre of blood (0.05%), but Saba’s ordinance uses 0.8 mg per millilitre (0.08%), so the figure depends on the island you are on. 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 Caribbean Netherlands’s tropical climate; tyres in good condition are what matter.
Caribbean Netherlands’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 Caribbean Netherlands
- Download offline maps of Caribbean Netherlands 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.
Speed Limits in Caribbean Netherlands
| Road Type | Cars | Trucks (>3.5t) |
|---|---|---|
| Urban | Verify locally | — |
| Rural | Verify locally | — |
| Motorway | Verify locally | — |
Emergency Numbers in Caribbean Netherlands
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 Caribbean Netherlands
Who pays a driving fine abroad, the hire-car admin-fee trap, and how to appeal.
Read the fine guideDriving in Caribbean Netherlands on a foreign licence
Nationality-specific licence, IDP & rules — pick where your licence is from:
Renting a Car in Caribbean Netherlands?
Compare prices from all major rental companies. Free cancellation on most bookings.
Compare Car Rental PricesSome links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How our affiliate links work.
Recent changes to this page
- Minimum driving age added: 18 for a car licence, from Wegenverkeersverordening Bonaire (A.B. 1957 no. 4, as amended), art. 100 lid 2 (bromfiets 16) and art. 102 aanhef sub a (rijbewijs 18) (https://lokaleregelgeving.overheid.nl/CVDR703248/2).
- 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.
- Roundabout rule corrected: the page said to enter clockwise, but traffic keeps right here, so roundabouts run anticlockwise.
- Speed limits corrected from template defaults to the island ordinances (Bonaire and Sint Eustatius 40/60 km/h, Saba 30/60 km/h, no motorways); alcohol 0.05% for Bonaire and Sint Eustatius and 0.08% for Saba (lokaleregelgeving.overheid.nl).
- 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
Bonaire and Sint Eustatius set 40 km/h in built-up areas and 60 km/h outside them in their own road traffic ordinances, while Saba sets 30 km/h built-up and 60 km/h outside; none of the three islands has a motorway. Always follow posted signs, which override any general figure.
In Caribbean Netherlands, traffic drives on the right side of the road. Vehicles have the steering wheel on the left side. If you are visiting from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at intersections, roundabouts, and when overtaking.
Foreign visitors to Caribbean Netherlands 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 Caribbean Netherlands for the most current requirements.
Winter tyres are not a consideration in Caribbean Netherlands's tropical climate; tyres in good condition are what matter.
The general emergency number in Caribbean Netherlands 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 Caribbean Netherlands. 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 Caribbean Netherlands, 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 Caribbean Netherlands 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.
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