Driving in Northern Mariana Islands 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.
Northern Mariana Islands License Drivers From Age 15 in 2026
Data verified:
3 min readNorthern Mariana Islands drives on the right side of the road. The minimum driving age is 15. The general emergency number is 911. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08% BAC.
The Northern Mariana Islands allow driving licences from age 15, younger than almost anywhere else covered here. Traffic keeps to the right-hand side of the road. A single number, 911, covers police, fire and ambulance calls.
We could not find the speed limits in the Commonwealth Code, so follow the posted signs. A CNMI court opinion (Commonwealth v. Furey, 2009) refers to a blood-alcohol limit of less than 0.08 percent for drivers over 21.
Emergency Numbers in Northern Mariana Islands
General Emergency: 911 | Police: 911
Save these numbers before you start driving. In Northern Mariana Islands, emergency calls are free from any phone.
Speed Limits in Northern Mariana Islands
We could not find the speed limits in the Commonwealth Code, 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 Northern Mariana Islands 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
A CNMI court opinion (Commonwealth v. Furey, 2009) refers to a blood-alcohol limit of less than 0.08 percent for drivers over 21. 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 Northern Mariana Islands’s tropical climate; tyres in good condition are what matter.
No legal minimum tread depth for Northern Mariana Islands turned up in an official source we could check; check the tyres on a hire car before you drive off.
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 Northern Mariana Islands
- Download offline maps of Northern Mariana Islands 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 Northern Mariana Islands
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 Northern Mariana Islands
Who pays a driving fine abroad, the hire-car admin-fee trap, and how to appeal.
Read the fine guideDriving in Northern Mariana Islands on a foreign licence
Nationality-specific licence, IDP & rules — pick where your licence is from:
Renting a Car in Northern Mariana Islands?
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
- 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; alcohol limit corrected from 0.05 to 0.08 per the CNMI Superior Court opinion in Commonwealth v. Furey.
- Emergency number corrected from 112 to 911 (CNMI 911 service).
- Title, description and introduction rewritten from this page's own data (no shared template wording).
Frequently Asked Questions
We could not find the speed limits in the Commonwealth Code, so follow the posted signs.
In Northern Mariana Islands, 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 Northern Mariana Islands 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 Northern Mariana Islands for the most current requirements.
Winter tyres are not a consideration in Northern Mariana Islands's tropical climate; tyres in good condition are what matter.
The emergency number in the Northern Mariana Islands is 911, as on the US mainland. 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 Northern Mariana Islands. 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 Northern Mariana Islands, 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 Northern Mariana Islands 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.
Related Articles
Are Dashcams Legal in Austria? No — EUR 10,000 Fine in 2026
Country-by-country status for 2026, which courts accept the footage, the confiscation risk at an Austrian stop, and the rule that catches hire cars.
Driving LawsEurope Speeding Fines 2026: EUR 15 to an Uncapped Day-Fine
The same 20 km/h over the limit costs EUR 15 at the cheap end and EUR 70 on a German Autobahn, and in Switzerland a share of income with no ceiling.
Driving LawsRadar Detectors Legal in Europe 2026: 5 Bans, €1,500 Fine
The 2026 table for all of Europe: hardware versus camera-warning apps, five outright bans, France's EUR 1,500 seizure and Germany's EUR 75 use-only rule.