Driving in Palau 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.
In the Pacific, Palau Keeps Right-Hand Traffic (2026)
Data verified:
3 min readPalau drives on the right side of the road. The minimum driving age is 16. The general emergency number is 911.
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In the western Pacific, Palau keeps right-hand traffic despite its tiny road network and heavy reliance on boats between islands. The emergency number is 911, covering police, fire and ambulance calls alike. Most visitors rent a car only to reach dive sites and a handful of coastal villages.
The US State Department gives a national limit of 25 mph (40 km/h) for Palau; there are no motorways. We could not find a published blood-alcohol limit for Palau in an official source; treat any drinking before driving as a risk.
Emergency Numbers in Palau
Police: 911 | Ambulance: 911 | Fire: 911
Save these numbers before you start driving. In Palau, emergency calls are free from any phone.
Speed Limits in Palau
The US State Department gives a national limit of 25 mph (40 km/h) for Palau; 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 Palau 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 Palau 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 Palau’s tropical climate; tyres in good condition are what matter.
We could not find a published legal minimum tread depth for Palau, 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 Palau
- Download offline maps of Palau 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 Palau
| Road Type | Cars | Trucks (>3.5t) |
|---|---|---|
| Urban | Verify locally | — |
| Rural | Verify locally | — |
| Motorway | Verify locally | — |
Emergency Numbers in Palau
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 Palau
Who pays a driving fine abroad, the hire-car admin-fee trap, and how to appeal.
Read the fine guideDriving in Palau on a foreign licence
Nationality-specific licence, IDP & rules — pick where your licence is from:
Renting a Car in Palau?
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Recent changes to this page
- Minimum driving age added: 16 for a car licence, from Palau National Code Title 42 (Vehicles), ch. 4: s 403 (Ineligible persons) and s 404 (Classes; age requirements) (https://paclii.org/pw/legis/consol_act/vt42136/).
- 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) national 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 national limit of 25 mph (40 km/h) for Palau; there are no motorways. Always follow posted signs, which override any general figure.
In Palau, 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 Palau 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 Palau for the most current requirements.
Winter tyres are not a consideration in Palau's tropical climate; tyres in good condition are what matter.
The general emergency number in Palau 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 Palau. 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 Palau, 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 Palau 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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