Driving in Guernsey 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.
Guernsey Licenses Car Drivers at 17 in 2026, Early
Data verified:
3 min readGuernsey drives on the left side of the road. The minimum driving age is 17. The general emergency number is 112. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08% BAC.
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Guernsey lets residents drive a car from age 17, a year earlier than the norm across most of Europe, though younger riders can take to smaller two- and three-wheelers even sooner. Traffic keeps to the left, and the blood alcohol limit sits at 0.08%. The islandwide emergency number is 112.
Guernsey Police’s Highway Code supplement gives an island-wide maximum of 35 mph (56 km/h), with lower limits where signed, such as 15 mph on the Ruettes Tranquilles. There are no motorways. The blood alcohol limit is 0.08% BAC.
Emergency Numbers in Guernsey
General Emergency: 112 | Police: 112
Save these numbers before you start driving. In Guernsey, emergency calls are free from any phone.
Speed Limits in Guernsey
Guernsey Police’s Highway Code supplement gives an island-wide maximum of 35 mph (56 km/h), with lower limits where signed, such as 15 mph on the Ruettes Tranquilles. There are no motorways.
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 Guernsey 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 Guernsey 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
We found no official winter-tyre rule for Guernsey, so fit tyres that suit the season and the roads you plan to drive.
The legal minimum tread depth is 1 mm, according to Guernsey’s Highway Code.
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 Guernsey
- Download offline maps of Guernsey 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 Guernsey
| Road Type | Cars | Trucks (>3.5t) |
|---|---|---|
| Urban | Verify locally | — |
| Rural | Verify locally | — |
| Motorway | Verify locally | — |
Emergency Numbers in Guernsey
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 Guernsey
Who pays a driving fine abroad, the hire-car admin-fee trap, and how to appeal.
Read the fine guideDriving in Guernsey on a foreign licence
Nationality-specific licence, IDP & rules — pick where your licence is from:
Renting a Car in Guernsey?
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Recent changes to this page
- 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 sentence clarified: traffic circulates clockwise; a confusing template aside was removed.
- Speed limits corrected from template defaults to the 35 mph (56 km/h) island-wide maximum (Guernsey Police); the 100 km/h motorway field was removed because Guernsey has no motorways.
- 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
Guernsey Police’s Highway Code supplement gives an island-wide maximum of 35 mph (56 km/h), with lower limits where signed, such as 15 mph on the Ruettes Tranquilles. There are no motorways.
In Guernsey, 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 Guernsey 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 Guernsey for the most current requirements.
We found no official winter-tyre rule for Guernsey, so fit tyres that suit the season and the roads you plan to drive.
The general emergency number in Guernsey is 112. 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 Guernsey. 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 Guernsey, 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 Guernsey 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
Speed limits, fines and tyre laws change frequently. Get monthly updates for the countries you drive in.
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