Driving in the Turks & Caicos Islands

Car Rental and Navigation Tips to Keep your Holiday Safe and Fun!

Life is a Highway.

Roundabout.

I Can’t Drive 55.

Top 40 songs you say? Nope. We’re talking about driving on Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Distances aren’t far between points on the islands, but when you factor in the mid 30 C (87 degrees Fahrenheit) temperatures, any walk seems longer. Say you fancy some conch for lunch at that little cafe up the way. That 15 minute walk in the mid day sun might feel more like a 40 minute hike! You might want to keep cool and consider renting a car.

There are a few driving pointers that might help. First, driving on the island is on the left hand side of the road.

As one TripAdvisor reviewer commented, “Just think left, left, left all the time, or sing the song… to the left, to the left.”

If your home is the United Kingdom, this information probably won’t mean much. If you’re Canadian or American, however, this news might throw you a curveball. It might take awhile to really master the art of left hand driving, but if you’re game, there are many car rental groups from which to select. You can rent right from your arrival at the airport or have a car delivered to your hotel.

Renting a Vehicle in the Turks and Caicos

You’ll need a valid driver’s license. Under Turks and Caicos law, you need to be at least age 25 to rent a car. Some rental companies have purchased special policies which allow the possibility for those aged 21-24 to rent a vehicle. An underage fee would be charged. Rental fees can vary among companies but generally speaking, car rentals can cost between $40 up to $180 (US) a day depending on the type of car. There would also be government fees and insurance. If you only plan on one or two short trips during your stay, then a taxi would probably meet your needs. However, if you want to really explore the islands and have the freedom to go where and when you please, then renting a car is best. Here are some options for Turks and Caicos car rentals.

Unique Traffic Signs

Don’t expect to see any traffic lights or stoplights. There aren’t any. As for signs, it’s only in recent years that roads and buildings on Providenciales have been marked with signs and numbers. Also, not all signs may look familiar. There are three to note.

The Roundabout
First – the roundabout – a special kind of intersection that is common to the island and helps to keep traffic flowing smoothly. The sign is round, blue, with white arrows rotating clockwise. With left hand driving, it’s very important to remember to enter the roundabout from the left and give way to cars entering from the right.

No Passing
Another sign is a red circle which shows two cars side by side; a black one on the left and a red one on the right. This indicates there is no passing permitted on the road.

Low Flying Aircraft
Finally, there is a red triangular sign showing an airplane to warn drivers of low flying aircraft in the area. This is more common than you might think as aircraft from around the world regularly bring tourists to enjoy the Turks and Caicos Islands.

On hearing about driving on the left side of the road, you might wonder if the cars are also right hand drive, with the steering wheel and controls on the opposite side to North American cars. Well you can relax because most agencies have left-hand drive cars. But if you’re wanting to be adventurous, you can opt for a right hand drive.

Tips to Keep You Safe

Some rental companies suggest that renting a right-hand drive vehicle is a good idea and can offer you advantages in learning to drive on the left side of the road. Keep a good safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you and pay attention to the 40 mph posted island speed. There’s no 55 mph speed limit here folks. Besides, the slower speed will not only help you as you get used to driving on the left, but it will also give you time to enjoy the spectacular sights along the way. After some time behind the wheel, hopefully the new way of driving will become more familiar.

“You will like the freedom to come and go as you please,” shared one visitor on Virtual Tourist. “You can check out a new place for breakfast, or whatever.”

Driving in the Turks & Caicos Islands can take you places you might not otherwise visit. So buckle up (because it’s the law!), start ‘er up and hit the road. The stunning island scenery out the window will make your sing out loud.