Destinations / Trinidad and Tobago
Driving in Trinidad and Tobago as a visitor
Often optional, depending on your licence and rental company. Trinidad and Tobago drive on the left and accept a valid foreign licence for short stays; an IDP is advised for non-English licences.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Trinidad and Tobago expects
| Driving document | Depends on licence issuer, script and rental policy |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1949 Geneva |
| Valid for | 1 year |
| Drives on the | Left |
| Emergency number | 999 (police), 811 (ambulance) |
| Top speed limit | 100 km/h highways |
What the rental desk will ask you for
| Your own licence | The original card. A photo of it, or a photocopy, gets turned away. |
|---|---|
| Licence translation | Check the desk policy for your issuing country and licence script. A translation accompanies the licence and never replaces an official permit. |
| Booklet format they know | 1949 Geneva |
| Minimum age | 18. Under 25 usually pays a young-driver surcharge. |
| Deposit | A credit card in the driver's name. The hold is taken in TTD. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| City zones | Heavy congestion around Port of Spain. |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | 0.08% alcohol limit. |
| Seatbelts | Seatbelts mandatory. |
On the road in Trinidad and Tobago
At the pump
Subsidised fuel is cheap: octane-95 petrol is about TT$7.75 and diesel about TT$4.41 per litre, sold by the litre at attended NP and UNIPET stations; many stations take cards but keep TT cash for smaller outlets.
After a crash
Call police on 999 (emergency 990 for fire/ambulance); report the accident to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (online or at a station), do not move vehicles when there are injuries, and exchange insurance details.
Sources: newsday.co.tt · globalpetrolprices.com · ttps.gov.tt · idp-usa.com
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Trinidad and Tobago?
Often optional, depending on your licence and rental company. Trinidad and Tobago drive on the left and accept a valid foreign licence for short stays; an IDP is advised for non-English licences.
Which translation format is used for Trinidad and Tobago?
Trinidad and Tobago uses the 1949 Geneva convention format. A Vialy translation is prepared in that format but is not a government-issued permit.
Will a rental desk in Trinidad and Tobago ask for a translation?
Port of Spain desks accept English licences; an IDP helps non-English drivers.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Trinidad and Tobago?
The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay, 30 minutes as standard and 5 with Express.
Also in North America
Driving on to another country on the same trip? Each page states what that destination expects.