In total, we’ve spent over two months in Barbados, getting around every way possible, including buses, taxis, walking, and eventually renting a car. While public transport and taxis do the job, we quickly realised that having a car opened up a completely different side of the island. From the rugged east coast in Bathsheba to the quieter fishing villages in the north, driving gave us the freedom to go where the minibuses don’t.
If you’re wondering whether renting a car in Barbados is worth it, or if it’s as intimidating as people make it sound, here’s what our experience was really like.
By Lauren & Jack · Updated August 2025 · Based on spending over 2 months in Barbados
Why we decided to rent a car in Barbados
When we first arrived in Barbados, we were staying on the south coast, within walking distance or a short bus ride of most things we wanted to do. However, as we did a bit more research and got recommendations from people, we realised we needed to see more of the island.
Buses are great if you’re sticking to the main roads along the south and west of the island, but as you venture inland or up the east coast, buses become less frequent, making moving around much less reliable.
So, rather than trying to make do with buses or splurging on taxis or a driver for the day, we opted for renting a car in Barbados, and it was 100% the right decision.
With our own vehicle, we were able to explore the west coast’s popular attractions, discover the best places to eat on the south coast, head over the east and explore things to do Bathsheba, and even take a trip around the entire island.
What you need to rent a car in Barbados
It’s easy to rent a car in Barbados; we found the process simple, but there are some quirks worth knowing. Firstly, Barbados doesn’t accept International Driving Permits (IDPs). Instead, you use your home license to get a temporary local driving permit. Thankfully, car rental companies issue these, so you don’t have visit the government offices. It costs $5 USD for a 2-month permit, $50 USD for a 1-year permit.
Another important thing to note is that you need a credit card for the security deposit, and this needs to be in the driver’s name. Our card was in Lauren’s name, and Jack was the driver, which caused some admin issues.
Renting a car in Barbados checklist:
- Insurance. Usually, this is provided by the rental company, but if it isn’t, check if your car insurance at home covers you.
- Book your car rental early, in peak season, things get booked up quickly
- Valid home country driver’s license (IDP is not accepted)
- Temporary local driving permit (arranged by the rental agency)
- The minimum age requirement is 21
- A credit card in the main driver’s name for the security deposit
Our top tips for driving in Barbados
- Drive on the left.
- Speed limits are in km/h, usually, it’s 40 in towns, 60 in rural areas, 80 on highways.
- At roundabouts, give way to traffic coming from the right.
- Traffic is heavy in Bridgetown and along the south coast during rush hour (7:00–8:30am and 4:30–5:30pm).
- On blind bends on narrow roads, use your horn to let drivers know you’re coming, locals do the same.
- Drive slower at night; roads are poorly lit and people or animals may be walking at the roadside.
- A short horn beep is usually a thank you or greeting.
- At junctions, a flash of headlights usually means the other driver is letting you go.
- Park in well-lit areas and don’t leave valuables in the car.
- In an accident, call your rental company first. If you need emergency numbers, they are:
- Police 211
- Ambulance 511
- Fire 311
Which car rental company should you use in Barbados?
There is a good selection of both local and international car rental companies in Barbados. We used M.A.H Car Rentals, and they were great, they delivered the car to our accommodation and collected it too, with no additional charge. Also, they were super responsive on WhatsApp.
Other companies worth looking at are:
We left renting a car to the last minute, so most companies had no availability, but if we had more time, the first place we would have looked, and usually do, is DiscoverCars. It’s great for comparing car rental prices.
Is it worth renting a car in Barbados?
We think it’s 100% worth renting a car in Barbados. Honestly, it made us appreciate Barbados so much more. It allowed us to explore places most tourists never get to, and we could visit places on our own schedule, stop wherever we wanted to and leave as early as we wanted and stay out as late as we wanted.
Do you need a 4×4 in Barbados?
No, you don’t need a 4×4 because the island is relatively flat, there are no incredibly steep hills to navigate and the roads are in good enough condition. The only time you would need a 4×4 is if you plan on doing some off-roading, but that’s unlikely.
Is Barbados left or right hand drive?
In Barbados, you drive on the left side of the road, with vehicles typically having the steering wheel on the right. If you’re used to driving in the UK, it will feel familiar, but if you normally drive on the right it may take a little adjustment.
Is driving in Barbados safe?
We felt perfectly safe driving in Barbados. Take the same precautions you would anywhere in the world, and pay close attention to buses (some of them will overtake when they shouldn’t), but other than that, we found drivers to be courteous and safe.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Barbados?
No, they do not recognise the International Driving Permit in Barbados. Instead, you need to get a local driving permit, which your car rental company will help you arrange.
More of our Barbados travel guides
We’ve visited Barbados 3 times, spending over 2 months on the island in total. During those trips, we put together our experiences into useful travel guides to help you plan your vacation and avoid the mistakes we made.
Our complete guide to Bathsheba
Things to do on the west coast of Barbados
A full comparison of Barbados vs St Lucia
17 Barbados beaches we loved visiting
Free things to do in Barbados that we recommend
Our experience and tips for Oistins Fish Fry
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