Driving in French Polynesia 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.
French Polynesia Driving 2026: Police 17, SAMU 15, Fire 18
Data verified:
3 min readFrench Polynesia drives on the right side of the road. The minimum driving age is 18. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05% BAC.
Using a mobile phone behind the wheel in French Polynesia costs a stiff roadside fine — often more than a speeding fine. The rule covers handling the device even at traffic lights, which surprises many visitors.
Watch: Driving in French Polynesia
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Right-hand traffic is the rule across French Polynesia, just as it is in mainland France. Police answer on 17, ambulance (SAMU) on 15 and fire on 18 across the islands, free from any phone. Drivers arriving from a left-hand-traffic country should take extra care at roundabouts and junctions during their first outings, particularly on narrower island roads.
French Polynesia has its own Code de la route and we could not find its speed table in an official text, so follow the posted signs; communes can set their own limits. The territorial government’s service-public.pf site gives the drink-driving limit as 0.50 g of alcohol per litre of blood (0.05%).
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Emergency Numbers in French Polynesia
Police: 17 | Ambulance: 15 | Fire: 18
Save these numbers before you start driving. In French Polynesia, emergency calls are free from any phone.
Speed Limits in French Polynesia
French Polynesia has its own Code de la route and we could not find its speed table in an official text, so follow the posted signs; communes can set their own limits.
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 French Polynesia 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
The territorial government’s service-public.pf site gives the drink-driving limit as 0.50 g of alcohol per litre of blood (0.05%). 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 French Polynesia’s tropical climate; tyres in good condition are what matter.
French Polynesia’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 French Polynesia
- Download offline maps of French Polynesia 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 French Polynesia
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 French Polynesia
Who pays a driving fine abroad, the hire-car admin-fee trap, and how to appeal.
Read the fine guideDriving in French Polynesia on a foreign licence
Nationality-specific licence, IDP & rules — pick where your licence is from:
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Recent changes to this page
- Minimum driving age added: 18 for a car licence, from Code de la route de la Polynésie française, art. 131-9 A (permis A1/B1 16, A/B 18; B en AAC 17) and art. 132-5 (capacité de conduire, cat. 1: 14 or 16) (https://service-public.pf/dtt/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2025/01/T1_CRPF_20250130.pdf).
- 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.
- Template speed limits (50/80/100 km/h) and the 100 km/h motorway field removed because no official speed table was found; alcohol 0.05% (0.50 g/l) confirmed on service-public.pf.
- Emergency numbers corrected from 112 to the official figures (GOV.UK foreign travel advice).
- 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).
- Replaced the speeding-fine calculator link: that tool covers 17 countries and French Polynesia is not one of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
French Polynesia has its own Code de la route and we could not find its speed table in an official text, so follow the posted signs; communes can set their own limits.
In French Polynesia, 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 French Polynesia 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 French Polynesia for the most current requirements.
Winter tyres are not a consideration in French Polynesia's tropical climate; tyres in good condition are what matter.
The emergency numbers in French Polynesia are police 17, ambulance 15 and fire 18. 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 French Polynesia. 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 French Polynesia, 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 French Polynesia 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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