Driving in Wallis and Futuna 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.
Wallis and Futuna's 2026 Traffic Rules Favour the Right
Data verified:
3 min readWallis and Futuna drives on the right side of the road. The minimum driving age is 18. The general emergency number is 112. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05% BAC.
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Dial 112 in Wallis and Futuna for police, fire or ambulance — the same number used across France’s overseas territories. Traffic keeps to the right. Beyond that, detailed speed and licensing rules are not separately published for these islands.
Wallis and Futuna has its own Code territorial de la route: 70 km/h by default outside regulated zones, with zones set by the prefect at 50 or 30 km/h, and public transport and vehicles over 3.5 tonnes limited to 50 km/h outside zones. There are no motorways. The territory applies the French alcohol articles: 0.50 g of alcohol per litre of blood (0.05%) is the limit, 0.2 g/l (0.02%) for public-transport drivers, and a criminal offence begins at 0.80 g/l.
Emergency Numbers in Wallis and Futuna
General Emergency: 112 | Police: 112
Save these numbers before you start driving. In Wallis and Futuna, emergency calls are free from any phone.
Speed Limits in Wallis and Futuna
Wallis and Futuna has its own Code territorial de la route: 70 km/h by default outside regulated zones, with zones set by the prefect at 50 or 30 km/h, and public transport and vehicles over 3.5 tonnes limited to 50 km/h outside zones. 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 Wallis and Futuna 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
The territory applies the French alcohol articles: 0.50 g of alcohol per litre of blood (0.05%) is the limit, 0.2 g/l (0.02%) for public-transport drivers, and a criminal offence begins at 0.80 g/l. 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 Wallis and Futuna’s tropical climate; tyres in good condition are what matter.
No legal minimum tread depth for Wallis and Futuna 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 Wallis and Futuna
- Download offline maps of Wallis and Futuna 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 Wallis and Futuna
| Road Type | Cars | Trucks (>3.5t) |
|---|---|---|
| Urban | Verify locally | — |
| Rural | Verify locally | — |
| Motorway | Verify locally | — |
Emergency Numbers in Wallis and Futuna
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 Wallis and Futuna
Who pays a driving fine abroad, the hire-car admin-fee trap, and how to appeal.
Read the fine guideDriving in Wallis and Futuna on a foreign licence
Nationality-specific licence, IDP & rules — pick where your licence is from:
Renting a Car in Wallis and Futuna?
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Recent changes to this page
- Minimum driving age added: 18 for a car licence, from Code territorial de la route de Wallis-et-Futuna, art. 92 (https://web.archive.org/web/20251109161359/https://www.wallis-et-futuna.gouv.fr/contenu/telechargement/1477/8786/file/Code%20territorial%20de%20la%20route.pdf).
- 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 territorial road code (70 km/h outside zones, zones at 50 or 30 km/h); the 100 km/h motorway field was removed. Alcohol 0.05% (0.50 g/l) confirmed.
- 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
Wallis and Futuna has its own Code territorial de la route: 70 km/h by default outside regulated zones, with zones set by the prefect at 50 or 30 km/h, and public transport and vehicles over 3.5 tonnes limited to 50 km/h outside zones. There are no motorways. Always follow posted signs, which override any general figure.
In Wallis and Futuna, 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 Wallis and Futuna 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 Wallis and Futuna for the most current requirements.
Winter tyres are not a consideration in Wallis and Futuna's tropical climate; tyres in good condition are what matter.
The general emergency number in Wallis and Futuna 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 Wallis and Futuna. 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 Wallis and Futuna, 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 Wallis and Futuna 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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