Visitors who wish to drive in the Grand Cayman Islands must get a permit to do so. A visitor's permit can be picked up at any police station or car rental agency. Drivers must have a valid international driver's license or a valid driver's license issued in their country of residence. According to the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, the charge for a driving permit is $7.50 in 2010.
The Grand Cayman Islands mandate that drivers and their passengers must wear seat belts. Driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal in the Grand Cayman Islands. This law is strictly enforced, with a maximum legal blood alcohol level of 100 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, according to the U.S. State Department.
Roads in the Cayman Islands are generally well maintained. With the exception of driving on the left side of the road, the U.S. State Department claims that American drivers can expect similar driving conditions to those found in the United States. Accident risk, signage frequency, signage clarity, traffic law enforcement and emergency roadside assistance are all similar to those Americans are used to.
Although road conditions in the Grand Cayman Islands are similar to those in the United States, there are a few special hazards drivers should be aware of. According to IIWINC's Cayman Island driving tip web page, island roads can be narrow with little or no shoulder, so drivers should be especially cautious at night. Local wildlife includes iguanas and turtles that may be hard to see on the road because they are so low to the ground. Bicycles and scooters are also common on the roadways of the Grand Cayman Islands.
According to the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, visitors who plan on renting a car in the islands should be aware you must be age 21 or over to rent a car. Some car rental agencies may refuse to rent a car to anyone under 25. If you are considering renting a car with a manual transmission, you should remember to use your left hand to shift gears--not your right hand. Those who rent scooters and mopeds rather than a car are required by law to wear a helmet at all times.
