Driving in Micronesia 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.
Micronesia 2026: Right-Hand Traffic, Dial 911 for Help
Data verified:
3 min readMicronesia drives on the right side of the road. The minimum driving age is 16. The general emergency number is 911.
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Drivers in Micronesia keep to the right, the same convention used across most of the Pacific. A single number, 911, connects to police, fire and ambulance services anywhere in the islands, free from any phone. Visitors arriving from a left-hand-traffic country should take extra care at junctions during their first day on unfamiliar island roads.
The US State Department gives a general limit of 25 mph (40 km/h) for Micronesia; there are no motorways. We could not find a published blood-alcohol limit for Micronesia in an official source; treat any drinking before driving as a risk.
Emergency Numbers in Micronesia
Police: 911 | Ambulance: 911 | Fire: 911
Save these numbers before you start driving. In Micronesia, emergency calls are free from any phone.
Speed Limits in Micronesia
The US State Department gives a general limit of 25 mph (40 km/h) for Micronesia; 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 Micronesia 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
We could not find a published blood-alcohol limit for Micronesia in an official source; treat any drinking before driving as a risk. 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 Micronesia’s tropical climate; tyres in good condition are what matter.
We could not find a published legal minimum tread depth for Micronesia, so judge your tyres by their condition and replace them early: worn tread loses wet grip quickly.
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 Micronesia
- Download offline maps of Micronesia 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 Micronesia
| Road Type | Cars | Trucks (>3.5t) |
|---|---|---|
| Urban | Verify locally | — |
| Rural | Verify locally | — |
| Motorway | Verify locally | — |
Emergency Numbers in Micronesia
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 Micronesia
Who pays a driving fine abroad, the hire-car admin-fee trap, and how to appeal.
Read the fine guideDriving in Micronesia on a foreign licence
Nationality-specific licence, IDP & rules — pick where your licence is from:
Renting a Car in Micronesia?
Compare prices from all major rental companies. Free cancellation on most bookings.
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Recent changes to this page
- Minimum driving age added: 16 for a car licence, from State codes (no national licensing code): Chuuk State Code Title 31 ch. 3 (ss. 1103-1104); Yap State Code Title 25 ch. 3 (ss. 303-304); Kosrae State Code Title 17 ch. 3 (s. 17.302) (https://fsmlaw.org/yap/code/title25/T25_Ch03.htm).
- 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 25 mph (40 km/h) general limit (US State Department); the 100 km/h motorway field and the template alcohol default were removed.
- Emergency numbers corrected from 112 to the official figures (GOV.UK foreign travel advice).
- Title, description and introduction rewritten from this page's own data (no shared template wording).
Frequently Asked Questions
The US State Department gives a general limit of 25 mph (40 km/h) for Micronesia; there are no motorways. Always follow posted signs, which override any general figure.
In Micronesia, 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 Micronesia 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 Micronesia for the most current requirements.
Winter tyres are not a consideration in Micronesia's tropical climate; tyres in good condition are what matter.
The general emergency number in Micronesia 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 Micronesia. 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 Micronesia, 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 Micronesia 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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