Everything To Know About Driving In Jamaica

The best way to experience Jamaica is by car at your own pace. Jamaica has a wide variety of landscapes ranging from reef-lined beaches, hot dusty plains, cool rugged mountains and sweeping river valleys. This landscape diversity makes the island perfect for road trips. Jamaica has over 17,000 kilometers of road networks which connect all major towns and cities. There is always something to see out the window such as colorful urban murals, street markets, omnipresent mountains and remnants of the island’s rich colonial past such as centuries-old churches, aqueducts and courthouses. You may even pass waterfalls flowing right next to the road. Self-driving in Jamaica gives you the independence to stop as you please and absorb everything.

However, driving in a foreign country can be intimidating, and Jamaica is no different. Jamaicans drive on the ‘other’ side of the road and the infamous Crazy Jamaican Drivers (CJDs) are in fact, real. Nonetheless, driving in Jamaica as a foreigner is safe and doable. Thousands have done it before, and so can you. Here are eight tips to ensure that your Jamaican road trip goes smoothly– as told by a local.

Confirm Your Eligibility To Rent A Car

Renting a car in Jamaica is easy because Jamaica recognizes valid international drivers’ licenses. You can drive with your license from home for up to one year before needing to apply for a Jamaican drivers’ license. The minimum age to drive in Jamaica is 18 years old, but the minimum age to rent a car is 21. You will need to have had your license for at least 2 years before being able to rent a car. Additional fees may apply for renters under 30 or older than 65.

Get A Trustworthy Rental Car

Book your rental car via reputable platforms such as Discover Cars. Discover Cars makes the vehicle rental experience seamless by searching through dozens of local car rental companies to match you with an ideal vehicle. A credit card is required by most companies, but a minority may accept debit cards. You can collect your rental car at all three international airports, and from most towns and cities. Also, most companies allow you to return your car in a different city from which you collected it.

Choose a vehicle that will suit your needs. A small compact car is affordable and fuel-efficient. These start at US$70 per day. However, a 4×4 may be required for deep rural expeditions. Currently, gasoline costs about $1.35 per liter. Charging stations for EVs are available islandwide, but EVs haven’t really become commonplace in Jamaica yet. Most rental vehicles are automatic transmission and use gasoline for fuel.

Always Have These Documents

These documents include drivers’ license, insurance papers, vehicle registration and a car fitness certificate. The latter three documents will be given to you by your car rental company. Ensure these documents are up-to-date when you collect your rental vehicle in case you’re stopped by the Jamaican police at a spot-check. Your passport isn’t mandatory but it can’t hurt to take it along.

Drive Safely

Driving in Jamaica can be tricky. Jamaicans drive on the left side of the road. In the city, streets are wide and busy, but the mountainous country roads are often less trafficked, winding, narrow and bumpy. Sound your horn when going around bends on country roads in Jamaica. This lets other motorists know that you are coming because sometimes the road gets too narrow or pothole-riddled for two vehicles to pass. 

Speaking of potholes– these become omnipresent as you enter smaller towns and villages. Always obey the speed limit, especially on unfamiliar roads, so that you can maneuver around these potholes safely. You’d hate to drop in a large one and pick up a flat, or worse.

Also, be mindful of animal and railway crossings. It’s not unusual to see cattle and stray animals crossing the road, even in the middle of the city. Roads in some parts of Jamaica can be temporarily closed for a few minutes to allow passage of trains carrying bauxite, caustic soda and other materials.

Know This About Toll Roads

Highways which charge toll are the best maintained roads in Jamaica. Toll roads can be expensive but will get you to your destination more quickly than the alternative roads. Toll roads only accept cash in Jamaican currency– no USD or bank cards. Therefore, stop at an ATM or cambio before starting your road trip. 

Toll prices vary depending on the location, where you enter or exit the highway, as well as the size of your vehicle. Small cars (class one) pay the least, SUVs and vans (class two) pay more while trucks and trailers (class three) pay the most. The most expensive toll road in Jamaica is the A1 route, which connects capital city Kingston to the resort towns of Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay. Currently, this costs JMD$1900, $3600 and $5900 across classes one to three respectively. 

Speed Limits

Jamaica’s speed limit is 50 kph (30mph) in built-up areas. The maximum speed on highways is 110 kph (70mph). You’ll see a sign posted along the left side of the road every time there’s a speed limit change.

Obey The Laws

Driving laws in Jamaica are similar to driving laws in any other country. However local drivers don’t always follow them. For example, drivers may not use indicators or may run red lights if they think they can get away with it. The police can stop you at any time and give you a ticket if you are found in breach of a road code.

The Jamaican Road Traffic Act is lengthy but detailed, and can be found online. Refer to it as needed, but the most important laws to know are:

• Road signs and speed limits must be obeyed.
• Keep to the left of the road at all times, unless you are about to overtake or turn right.
• Don’t drink alcohol (or smoke marijuana) then drive.
• Seatbelts are mandatory for the driver and all passengers. In case of a police stop, the driver will be held responsible for passengers found without a seatbelt.
• Traffic police officers’ instructions supersede the stop light.
• Children under 12 should sit at the back, and small children must be safely restrained in an appropriate car seat.
• Let through emergency vehicles by pulling over to the left of the road, and remaining stationary until they pass.

Is GPS in Jamaica Reliable?

Do not depend heavily on GPS in Jamaica. Google Maps gets less reliable out of town as several map markers are entered incorrectly. It’s also not unusual for Google Maps in Jamaica to lead people onto dirt tracks instead of the well-utilized roads. Still use GPS as a guide, but if you get lost and need directions, stop and ask persons along the way for directions. Jamaicans are very friendly and always happy to help. They may even introduce you to some of their hidden gems which you never would’ve found otherwise. However, bear in mind that the phrases “it’s just down the road” or “you soon reach” are all relative on island time. You may have half an hour left. This spontaneity adds to the charm of a Jamaican road trip.

Wrap Up

I hope you’ve found my Jamaican driving guide useful! Do you have any questions or other advice to share? Leave a comment below! Enjoy your Jamaican road trip and check out the following itineraries for a GREAT Jamaican road trip with Discover Cars.

1. South Coast Jamaica via T1, A2. Visit the quaint laidback community of Treasure Beach, jump into or zipline above YS Falls, visit Pelican Bar and check out the Black River community and crocodile safari. Make sure to purchase the red-hot pepper shrimps when driving through Middle Quarters, and stop for a coconut jelly and photograph in Holland Bamboo.
2. Kingston to Ocho Rios via Highway 2000, A1. The road itself is beautiful with delightful mountains and finally coastal views. Visit Mystic Mountain, Dunn’s River Falls and White River. Dine at Miss T’s Kitchen.
3. Kingston to Buff Bay via B1. This road will take you through the Blue Mountains, my favorite place in Jamaica. It is home to world renowned Blue Mountain coffee, and you can take a coffee farm tour. Also, check out roadside waterfalls such as this one, and check out Holywell Park. Dine at Holywell’s newest addition: the Blue Brews Cafe.