Driving in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha 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.
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha: 2026 Rules
Data verified:
3 min readSaint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha drives on the left side of the road. The minimum driving age is 18. The general emergency number is 999.
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Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha keep traffic on the left, matching British convention. In an emergency on St Helena or Ascension the number is 999, as in Britain; Tristan da Cunha uses ambulance 5000 and police 5111. Few other driving rules are formally published for these remote South Atlantic islands.
On St Helena the Road Traffic Ordinance sets a maximum of 30 mph (48 km/h) anywhere, with 20 mph (32 km/h) in Jamestown and other named stretches; Ascension and Tristan da Cunha have their own rules, which we have not checked. There are no motorways. St Helena’s government has announced a lower drink-driving limit, but we could not confirm the current figure, so we do not quote one.
Emergency Numbers in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
St Helena and Ascension: 999 (police, fire, ambulance) | Tristan da Cunha: ambulance 5000, police 5111
Save these numbers before you start driving. In Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, emergency calls are free from any phone.
Speed Limits in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
On St Helena the Road Traffic Ordinance sets a maximum of 30 mph (48 km/h) anywhere, with 20 mph (32 km/h) in Jamestown and other named stretches; Ascension and Tristan da Cunha have their own rules, which we have not checked. 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 Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha 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
St Helena’s government has announced a lower drink-driving limit, but we could not confirm the current figure, so we do not quote one. 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 Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, so fit tyres that suit the season and the roads you plan to drive.
The legal minimum tread depth is 1 mm, according to St Helena’s Road Traffic Ordinance.
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 Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
- Download offline maps of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha 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 Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
| Road Type | Cars | Trucks (>3.5t) |
|---|---|---|
| Urban | Verify locally | — |
| Rural | Verify locally | — |
| Motorway | Verify locally | — |
Emergency Numbers in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
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 Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
Who pays a driving fine abroad, the hire-car admin-fee trap, and how to appeal.
Read the fine guideDriving in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha on a foreign licence
Nationality-specific licence, IDP & rules — pick where your licence is from:
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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.
- Minimum driving age added: 18 for a car licence, from an official source (https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/public-services/driving-licence/).
- Roundabout sentence clarified: traffic circulates clockwise; a confusing template aside was removed.
- Speed limits corrected from template defaults to the St Helena Road Traffic Ordinance figures (30 mph maximum, 20 mph in Jamestown); the 100 km/h motorway field and the template alcohol default were removed because the drink-driving limit is being changed and the new figure could not be confirmed.
- Emergency numbers corrected from 112 to 999 on St Helena and Ascension, with Tristan da Cunha's ambulance 5000 and police 5111 (GOV.UK 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).
Frequently Asked Questions
On St Helena the Road Traffic Ordinance sets a maximum of 30 mph (48 km/h) anywhere, with 20 mph (32 km/h) in Jamestown and other named stretches; Ascension and Tristan da Cunha have their own rules, which we have not checked. There are no motorways. Always follow posted signs, which override any general figure.
In Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, 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 Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha 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 Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha for the most current requirements.
We found no official winter-tyre rule for Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, so fit tyres that suit the season and the roads you plan to drive.
On St Helena and Ascension, dial 999 for police, fire or ambulance. Tristan da Cunha has its own lines: ambulance 5000 and police 5111 (GOV.UK travel advice). 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 Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. 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 Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, 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 Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha 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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