The Bahamas
Driving in Bahamas: licences, car rental and road rules
Rent a car only on the Out Islands (Eleuthera, Exuma, Abaco), where it costs about US$70–120 a day and there is no real alternative. In Nassau and Freeport use taxis and jitneys instead: parking is scarce, roads are narrow and left-side driving plus potholes makes a rental more trouble than it saves. Book ahead in high season and confirm your licence and insurance in writing.
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GuideThe Bahamas
Key facts
- Drive on
- The left (UK-style), left-hand-drive cars are common
- Where a car pays off
- Out Islands: Eleuthera, Exuma, Abaco
- Where to skip it
- Nassau and Freeport — taxis, jitneys and water taxis cover the tourist routes
- Rental carcheck
- About US$70–120 a day, 2026 estimate
- Golf cartcheck
- About US$60–90 a day on small cays, 2026 estimate
- Minimum agecheck
- Usually 21–25 depending on the company; under-25 surcharge common
- Licencecheck
- A valid home licence in English is normally accepted; some renters also ask for an International Driving Permit
- Fuelcheck
- Stations on the Out Islands often close by early evening and some shut on Sunday
- Jitney farecheck
- About US$1.25–2.50 on New Providence, exact change
- Taxi, airport to Cable Beachcheck
- About US$30–40 for two, zone fares, extra per bag
By island: where to rent and where not to
The Bahamas is not one driving decision. On New Providence (Nassau and Paradise Island) and on Grand Bahama around Freeport, the road network is short, traffic is dense in town, and taxis, jitneys and water taxis cover most of what a visitor wants. A rental there mostly buys you parking problems.
On the Out Islands it is the opposite. Eleuthera, Exuma and Abaco have long, thin road networks with settlements spread out and almost no bus service, so a car or a golf cart is the difference between seeing the island and sitting at your hotel. Book before you fly: fleets are small, and in high season (roughly December to April) the good vehicles go first.
| Island | Rent a car? | What to use instead |
|---|---|---|
| New Providence (Nassau, Paradise Island) | Usually no | Taxi, jitney, water taxi to Paradise Island |
| Grand Bahama (Freeport, Lucaya) | Only for out-of-town beaches | Taxi, jitney, tour shuttle |
| Eleuthera and Harbour Island | Yes | Golf cart on Harbour Island; water taxi from North Eleuthera |
| Exuma (George Town and around) | Yes | Taxi from the airport, then rent locally |
| Abaco (Marsh Harbour, Elbow Cay) | Yes, plus a ferry or boat between cays | Water taxi between cays |
Licence, age and paperwork
You drive on the left. Most rental cars are left-hand drive, imported from the US, which means the driver sits on the wrong side of the car for the road — the single most common cause of a nervous first ten minutes. Take it slowly on the first junction.
A valid driving licence from your home country is normally accepted if it is printed in English; US, UK, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and Irish licences all qualify. Some rental companies also ask for an International Driving Permit, especially if your licence is not in English, so carry one if you have it. Minimum age is usually 21 to 25 depending on the company, with a young-driver surcharge below 25 — confirm both when you book.
Bring your passport, your home licence and the credit card in the main driver's name. Check whether the quoted rate includes the mandatory insurance and the government fees; the cheap online number often does not.
- Drive on the left; expect a left-hand-drive car
- Home licence in English is normally enough
- International Driving Permit: useful, sometimes requested
- Minimum age 21–25, young-driver fee below 25
- Confirm insurance, taxes and fees are in the quoted price
What it costs
Expect about US$70–120 a day for a compact or mid-size car on the Out Islands in 2026, more for an SUV and more again in peak season. Golf carts on small cays run about US$60–90 a day. Fuel is sold by the gallon and priced above US mainland levels; on the Out Islands stations are few, close early and some shut on Sunday, so fill up when you pass one.
Taxi fares are set by zone rather than meter. The airport run to Cable Beach is about US$30–40 for two, with an extra charge per additional passenger and per bag. Jitneys on New Providence cost about US$1.25–2.50 and need exact change. Agree the taxi fare before you get in.
| Item | 2026 estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rental car, Out Islands | US$70–120 a day | Higher in peak season and for SUVs — check |
| Golf cart | US$60–90 a day | Harbour Island, small cays — check |
| Fuel | Above US mainland prices | Few stations; early closing, Sunday closures — check |
| Taxi, airport to Cable Beach | US$30–40 for two | Zone fares, extra per bag — check |
| Jitney, New Providence | US$1.25–2.50 | Exact change, daytime only — check |
| Water taxi, North Eleuthera to Harbour Island | About US$10–15 | Cash only — check |
Road rules and conditions
Speed limits are low and posted in miles per hour; in settlements they drop sharply and are enforced. Seat belts are required, children need proper restraints, and drinking and driving is treated seriously. Roundabouts are common on New Providence — give way to traffic already on the circle, which arrives from your right when you are driving on the left.
Road quality varies. Main roads on New Providence and Grand Bahama are paved and signed; Out Island roads are narrower, often unlit, with potholes, wandering dogs, goats and the occasional flooded stretch after rain. Drive the Out Islands in daylight for the first day or two. Hurricanes can leave damage for months — check road conditions locally after a storm.
Parking is limited in downtown Nassau and around Cable Beach, and some lots are private. On the Out Islands you generally park on the roadside.
- Low posted limits in mph; slow right down in settlements
- Seat belts required; child restraints expected
- Roundabouts: give way to traffic already on the circle
- Out Island roads: potholes, animals, poor lighting
- Avoid unfamiliar Out Island roads after dark
- Check conditions after any storm
When to plan and book
Book the car with your flights, not after. December to April is high season and small Out Island fleets sell out; the same weeks are also the driest and most comfortable for driving. May to November is hotter and wetter, with hurricane season running roughly June to November — rental terms can be affected by storm closures, so read the cancellation policy.
If your trip is Nassau only, skip the car entirely and budget for taxis; if you are island-hopping, rent only for the Out Island legs and return the car before you fly back through Nassau. Sunday is quiet: many shops and fuel stations close, so plan fuel and food the day before.
| Period | Demand and price | Driving conditions |
|---|---|---|
| December–April | High season, book early, highest rates | Driest and coolest; best for Out Island roads |
| May–August | Mid season, better rates | Hot, humid, afternoon showers |
| September–November | Low season, cheapest | Hurricane season; check storm closures and road damage |
Practical notes
Plugs are US-style type A and B at 120 V, so a US traveller needs no adapter. Tipping follows US norms: 15% in restaurants, often already added, and 15% for taxis. Shops keep roughly 09:00–17:00 Monday to Saturday and many close on Sunday, which matters if you are relying on a garage or parts shop.
If you are staying longer than a holiday, check the licence and residency rules before you buy or keep a car — see the long-stay page. And whatever you drive, make sure your travel insurance actually covers rental vehicles and third-party liability; many policies exclude it.
- US-style plugs, 120 V — no adapter for US devices
- 15% tipping in restaurants and taxis
- Shops Mon–Sat about 09:00–17:00, Sunday closures common
- Check travel insurance covers rental cars and liability
Questions people ask
What should I know about driving and car rental in Bahamas?
You drive on the left, and most rental cars are left-hand drive. Rent only on the Out Islands, where there is no real alternative; in Nassau and Freeport use taxis and jitneys. A home licence in English is normally accepted, and cars cost about US$70–120 a day.
How much does it cost?
About US$70–120 a day for a car on the Out Islands in 2026, and US$60–90 for a golf cart, higher in peak season. Taxis use zone fares — roughly US$30–40 from the airport to Cable Beach for two. Jitneys cost about US$1.25–2.50.
When should I plan for it?
Book the car when you book your flights. December to April is high season and small Out Island fleets sell out; those months also have the best driving weather. May to November is hotter and wetter, and hurricane season runs roughly June to November.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
Usually not if your licence is printed in English — US, UK, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and Irish licences are normally accepted. Some rental companies ask for an IDP anyway, so carry one if you have it, and confirm with the company when you book.
Can I drink and drive?
No. Drinking and driving is treated seriously and limits are enforced, especially in settlements where posted speeds drop sharply. Use a taxi if you have been drinking; zone fares are published and agreed before you get in.
Is it safe to drive at night?
On New Providence and Grand Bahama, main roads are lit and busy. On the Out Islands many roads are unlit with potholes, animals and occasional flooding, so plan to be back before dark for your first days and drive slowly if you must go out.
What happens if a hurricane hits during my rental?
Rental terms can be affected by storm closures, and roads may stay damaged for months. Read the cancellation policy before you book, check local road conditions after a storm, and keep your travel insurance details with you.
Deep dive
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