If you’re thinking of renting a car in Tobago, make sure you’re aware of the required documentation that will help you finalise your rental agreement. You will need to present a valid driving licence, along with an International Driver’s Permit (IDP), which can be obtained from your local post office in the UK. Make sure to have all your documentation close to hand in your vehicle, including your rental agreement, just in case you need to present them to traffic police.
Like driving in any country, it’s important to get accustomed to the local driving regulations and be mindful of anything that is totally different to rules in your home country. Tobago is no different, but like the UK, cars drive on the left-hand side of the road so this won’t be something you need to get used to. However, if you’re driving with young children, they must be seated in a child seat if they are 5 years old or under and be seated in the back seat. If your child is found not be in the correct type of child seat, then you could risk a fixed penalty fine.
If you’re looking to tour around both islands of Trinidad & Tobago, then you’re in luck. Most car hire companies in Tobago allow you to take your vehicle over to the larger island of Trinidad. There are ferries that carry vehicles which regularly cross between the islands. However, it is recommended to double-check with your chosen car rental company at the time of booking if this is included in the rental agreement. If you want to go further and take the vehicle to mainland South America, for example Venezuela, then it’s likely this will not be permitted, as you’ll be entering a foreign country.
Book your rental car in Tobago at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Intermediate rental cars in Tobago are around -5% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in Tobago
To get around Tobago, renting a car is a great idea, as you’ll be travelling in comfort, and you can move around at your own pace. Exploring the island by car is ideal because you won’t be relying on unreliable bus schedules or infrequent taxis. This tropical paradise has many hidden gems to visit, and if you’re renting your car in Scarborough you can get to popular beaches like Pigeon Point Heritage Park in under 20 minutes, the stunning Argylle Waterfall in around 40 minutes and Castara Beach in around 36 minutes. When you can reach all these idyllic spots in under one hour, then you know renting a car is a good idea.
Driving in Tobago can take some time to get used to, particularly when it comes to the locals’ driving habits. It’s very common that local drivers like to drive very fast, so be careful on those long winding island roads; it’s best to drive defensively and allow any cars behind you to overtake, which they most definitely will. Most main roads are in good shape and safe to drive on, but if you need to drive through the countryside be careful on the roads as they can be bumpy; renting a 4x4 type vehicle may come in handy here. Be mindful that there are very few petrol stations on the island, so fill up your hire car as much as you can before you go on any day trips. When it comes to speed limits, be aware that in the urban areas the limit is 34mph, in rural areas it’s 50mph and on motorways it’s 68mph. However, most locals don’t keep to these limits, so be careful.
If you want to hire a car in Tobago, you must be at least 25 years old and have held your driving licence for at least two years. However, some rental companies will accept drivers as young as 21 years old for an additional ‘younger driver’ fee. Be mindful that being under 25 may also affect the price of the insurance coverage for the vehicle.
Intermediate (Hyundai Accent or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Tobago.
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.