Car Hire Tips

The Caribbean Islands are a great choice for a holiday and if you are trying to decide whether to hire a car, here is some basic information and a few pointers that should shine a light on the situation and help you decide what to do.

In the main the island`s roads are fairly good, if winding and narrow in places. As you head into lesser travelled roads they can be a little more tricky to navigate. Beware of wandering livestock and be advised that locals will often not adhere to road markings, preferring a carefree, down the middle of the road approach.

They are a friendly bunch and will think nothing of stopping to chat to another road user. As long as you keep your eyes open and are prepared to go with the flow then driving the islands will be as relaxing as the rest of your holiday.

Some islands may require you to have a permit, so do check this out with your travel agent or car hire company prior to leaving for your holiday.

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Each island may also have slightly different rules, but pretty much all of them have a minimum age of 25 and also a medical certificate as proof of fitness to drive for those over 65.

All of the islands drive on the left hand side of the road and you should find that local car rental companies can provide cars that have steering wheels on either side of the car to suit your driving preference. You will need to have a current driver`s license to be allowed to drive a car, you can either bring your own licence or purchase a temporary one from the car hire company if you are worried about losing your own. Licence plates on the islands are colour coded, black backgrounds signify privately owned cars, green for buses, red for rental and yellow for taxis.

Caribbean drivers like to honk horns a lot - it is their way of saying hello to folks, so don`t be too alarmed if you hear lots of honking going on and feel free to say "hello" back! Make sure you obey road signs and if you do have a bump you must report it to the police even if it seems fairly minor. As mentioned the locals are all very friendly and helpful so do not be afraid to stop and ask for directions if you need them.

Most of the large and recognised companies provide cars on the islands and there are local companies too. As there is stiff competition you should find a good deal so do not be afraid to shop around. You can even hire a car with a driver if you are particularly nervous. Do be aware that a local company offering a lower price might not be a better option than a slightly more expensive deal with a larger company so be sure to check on service levels and exclusions to get the best deal for you.

Rental agencies can be found in airports, hotels and of course you can book online before you go. Some package holidays include rental and not all islands offer hire cars, but with a bit of research and planning before you go nothing should present a holiday disaster.