By Car in British Virgin Islands

By Car

Driving in the BVI is on the left side of the road, British style -- but your car will have left-hand drive like those used in the United States. Speed limits (rarely enforced) are 20 mph (30 kph) in town and 35 mph (55 kph) outside town. Gas tends to be expensive. Tortola's main roads are well paved, for the most part, but there are exceptionally steep hills and sharp curves; driving demands your complete attention. A main road circles the island, and several roads cross it, almost always through mountainous terrain. Virgin Gorda has a smaller road system, and a single, very steep road links the north and south ends of the island. Anegada's few roads are little more than sandy lanes.

You need a temporary BVI license, available at the rental-car company for $10 with a valid license from another country. The minimum age to rent a car is 25. Most agencies offer both four-wheel-drive vehicles and cars (often compacts).

Contacts

Avis (Opposite Police Station, Road Town, Tortola. 284/494-3322). D&D (Soper's Hole, West End, Tortola. 284/495-4765). D. W. Jeep Rentals (The Settlement, Anegada. 284/495-9677). Hertz (West End, Tortola. 284/495-4405. Airport. 284/495-2763. Road Town. 284/494-6228). Itgo Car Rental (Wickham's Cay I, Road Town, Tortola. 284/494-2639). L&S Jeep Rental (South Valley, Virgin Gorda. 284/495-5297). Mahogany Rentals & Taxi Service (Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda. 284/495-5469). Speedy's Car Rentals (The Valley, Virgin Gorda. 284/495-5240).