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Car Rental and Driving in Providenciales

Car stuck in North Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands.
Offroad driving can be fun, but many robust-looking vehicles (such as this Ford Explorer) have very poor off-road abilities. North Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands
Renting a car is a necessity for those who want to explore Providenciales, or simply get away from the Grace Bay tourist area.  There isn't any public transportation on Providenciales, so the only alternative to taxis is renting a car.

Most cars in the country are left-hand drive cars imported from the United States. However, traffics drives on the left as in the UK.

Beware of other drivers

Many people in the Turks and Caicos drive dangerously. This is especially common with Haitian immigrants, many of whom operate illegal, unlicensed taxi services. Along with more official looking (usually) illegal 'bus' services, these drivers will stop directly in traffic lanes to pick up additional passengers, and in addition will cut directly in front of you to reenter traffic or for turning.

Your best course is to keep a safe distance to drivers in front of you (much more than US or UK recommended lengths), and be ready for cars to stop suddenly or cut in front.  In addition, ensure that you stay within the speed limit as several roads have hidden hazards, such as difficult to see speed humps (speed bumps) and pot-holes due to poor maintenance.

If you're planning to drive off the beaten path, you may be interested in reading our section on safety and crime and also our article on the layout and districts of Providenciales.

Typical sign at roundabout
Typical sign at a roundabout in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Signs


Until recently (2011) there were few direction signs on Providenciales.  Due to a failure of emergency services to find locations (many times because streets and roads didn't have any names), the government implemented a programme to name and put up signs for all roads in the country.

Roundabouts frequently have signs posted from all directions. In other countries the top line of text usually says the name or area of the roundabout, but the Turks and Caicos instead uses names of prominent people from the country.

For American and Canadian tourists

We drive on the left. There are no stoplights in the country, and traffic is regulated through the use of roundabouts. When entering a roundabout, give way to traffic on your RIGHT. Once you are inside a roundabout, you have right of way until you exit the roundabout.  HOWEVER, many drivers in the Turks and Caicos have their own interpretation of how to use roundabouts so be prepared to stop and give way to other drivers.

Here are three British style road signs in use in the Turks and Caicos which might confuse North American visitors:
Roundabout Ahead Sign No Overtaking Sign Danger Lowflying Aircraft or Sudden Aircraft Noise
Roundabout Ahead No Overtaking
(No Passing)
Low-Flying Aircraft or Sudden Aircraft Noise

For British tourists

The Turks and Caicos follows the UK Highway Code protocol. However, don't expect drivers to give you the same courtesy as in the UK and as always be prepared to stop or slow down for other drivers.

One note is that brown road signs in the UK denote an attraction, such as a zoo or castle. Green signs are reserved for primary routes. For some unknown reason the Turks and Caicos has several brown road signs to denote local and primary routes, in addition to using the correct green (primary) and white (local) routes.

None of the few tourist attractions on Providenciales use the brown sign.

Egham Grace Bay
Correct usage of green for primary routes in the United Kingdom. Incorrect usage of brown for some primary and local routes in the Turks and Caicos Islands.


Typical Rental Requirements

Minimum driving age is usually 25 (18 for scooters).
Valid Drivers license required (you don't need an International Driver Permit, unless your license is in a language other than English)
Some companies may have additional requirements.

Fuel Costs

Gasoline is quite expensive here at around $5 a gallon (March 2011).

Scooters

We don't recommend you rent a scooter in Providenciales. This because of a combination of poor drivers and sometimes poorly maintained roads.  If you do decide to rent a scooter, it's highly recommended you stay within the Grace Bay area as speed limits are lower and there is less traffic.

Rental Car Companies


Avis - Airport Location
www.avis.com  (649) 946-4705  Airport Area
Avis - Grace Bay Location
www.avis.com  (649) 946-4705  Grace Bay
Budget
www.budget.com  (649) 946-4079  Downtown
Hertz
www.hertztci.com  (649) 941-3910  Downtown
Grace Bay Car Rentals
www.gracebaycarrentals.com  (649) 941-8500  Grace Bay
TC National
www.airportinntci.com/rent/  (649) 941-3514 or 946-4701  Airport Area
Scooter Bob's
www.provo.net/Scooter/  (649) 946-4684 or 231-0262  Turtle Cove
Tropical Auto Rentals
www.tropicalautorentaltci.com  (649) 946-5300  Grace Bay
Rent-a-Buggy
www.rentabuggy.tc  (649) 946-4158  Leeward Highway


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Copyright © 2006-2011 Eric LeVin II and Daniel J. LeVin. Visit Providenciales is a trademark of Eric LeVin II and Daniel J. LeVin.
Photographs copyright © 2006-2011 Agile LeVin.