It is also surrounded by the worlds third-largest fringing barrier reef and a 1.6km-deep trench that starts at 70 feet underwater. Plus some of the drivers are tourists themselves and aren't used to driving on the other side of the road, add that with the few drinks that they probably had on "vacation", the torn up roads, and missing signs and it just isn't worth the supposed "relaxing" drive anymore. Along with teaching me how to drive supurbly I might add, she gave life long skills as well as astoundly represented our God and all hes done for us. Driving permits are necessary whether you fancy city driving in Nassau, Bahamas, or crave a quieter cruise like driving in Eleuthera, Bahamas. You can stroll around the park through shaded boardwalks and unwind in designated resting areas. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The greatness of this driving school is what helped me get my drivers license, and I would gladly encourage others to patronize them.. The big Continue driving until you reach the roundabout by the Cable Beach Post Office. Drivers who commit minor offenses are often issued with fixed penalties. This is everything you need to know about driving in Nassau. Photographer @ the Atlantis for family picture? Having a license means that you have reached the legal driving age of your home country, and you have mastered the basic driving rules. This is especially important if youre traveling with kidsand we recommend planning some in-flight activities, toobut is helpful for you no matter who youre vacationing with! Permit holders should always be accompanied by a person having a valid drivers licence for not less than two years exceptwhen driving a bicycle, solo motor-cycle or any vehicle other than a motor vehicle, not constructed or adapted to carry more than one person. This probably is one of the most cringe moments among drivers. The best time to visit the Bahamas would be during the dry season from January to May. After photo has been taken, applicant will be issued the learners permit and can apply for the practical exam portion of the driving test. It should be carried together with your native license. The learners permit can be provided within the same day of your visit to the Road Traffic Department once all required documents are presented and fees are paid. This includes renting a car, booking a hotel, joining activities that require an I.D, etc. WebDrive through historic Nassau with a narrated history of The Bahamas, its buildings and sites. If youre traveling from North America, your electronics will plug into our outlets, so theres no need to pack adapters. Nassau, The Bahamas, Tel. Driving-related jobs that you can consider in the Bahamas include tourist guide, delivery vehicle driver, personal driver, and charted vehicle driver, to name a few. Do something different during your time in the Bahamas, whether on vacation or visiting as a cruise ship passenger. Plus! more, New Providence Island Destination Experts. If you come across a checkpoint, reduce your speed and prepare your driving documents. Fifty-four people were killed in 2017 and 69 in 2018. He named the country Baja Mar, which meant shallow sea, and later became The Islands of the Bahamas. Its very hectic. When traveling to The Bahamas, dont forget to bring proof of your Just ask for his valid ID, tell him that you need to confirm it first with local officials, and contact the emergency hotline right away. It is publicly accessible, or you can also stay at one of the upscale resorts fronting the beach. Its important not to slow down once youve overtaken (its risky for the vehicle behind you). Learn with a company that cares, more than just an offer! The driving time is approx.. hello@internationaldriversassociation.com, Toptravel PTE. Posted rental prices often do not include insurance. I have nothing but praise, respect and love for this driving school. The current focus of the unit is to deal with surface transport readmore. Considered to be one of the worlds best scuba and snorkeling sites, Stuart Cove showcases some of the very best that the Bahamas has to offer. If police calls you over, it is most likely that you committed a traffic violation, or they are conducting random breathalyzer tests. If you ask for driving directions, Bahamas locals can converse clearly with anyone. Drive west along the Tonique Williams-Darling Highway. Our Instructor is Road Traffic Department approved or Licensed, talented, gifted, mentally and physically fit and have a long driving instruction history. Likewise, traffic rules arent the only ones you see posted on physical signs, so be vigilant about recalling all the other laws. Road Traffic Department Only children ages 12 and above are allowed to sit in the front seat. But do you need to take a Bahamas written driving test? .com is a user-friendly search engine with exclusive listings on businesses and community organizations in The Bahamas. When you think of the Bahamas, you think about boats, diving, snorkeling, sailing, and watersports. There is asphalt everywhere and there is a road that goes on the circumference of the island. Overtaking when turning in junctions is dangerous. You can find sedans, minis, larger passenger vans, and even luxury cars on the island. Once documents have been verified, applicant will be called into the licence studio to have photo taken for the learners permit. PROVISIONS AS TO DRIVING MOTOR VEHICLES, ETC 34. If your car breaks down on the road, you can approach them and ask whether there is a nearby car repair shop. Lastly, if you dont want to miss out on any other amazing destinations in Bimini (or the country in general), you can purchase different driving handbooks of the Bahamas from multiple publishers around the world! However, if you hail from other countries outside the U.S.A and U.K., you will need to get an IDP to drive in the Bahamas. The big roads in the city are fine as they have to handle a reasonable amount of traffic but the smaller roads between buildings can be as narrow as 1.5 cars narrow. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Even when there isnt a possibility. With this, do not be confused and just focus on the symbol or the words. This list is for you to decide what is the same and what is different compared to your own country. I was an amazing experience and I would do it all over again., Below you will find our three most popular packages, 96% of Our Students Pass the Driving Test on, Once approved, kindly provide two forms of government-issued identification on the day of road testing. Try to stick to one lane also so as not to confuse other fellow road users. The current focus of the unit is to deal with surface transport readmore. Nassau,The Bahamas, Agency Contact Info: 1 . Maintaining your speed below limits will help you achieve your ideal overall stopping distance. Creole is formed from the combination of European and West African languages. The Bahamas Google maps and Driving Directions. If you have second thoughts about self-driving in the Bahamas the first time, you can join a tour at least for one or two days. You wont get lost driving around Bimini because there is only one highway and the smaller roads are relatively sparse. The 365 cays and islands are mostly posh, serving only some of the most privileged. In result of her didactic lessons, my test went smoothly and if there were mistakes, they were fixable because she taught me the principal of maneuvering through and just correcting it. We might earn a commission whenever you click them. Nassau is on the north coast of New Providence, between Eleuthera and Andros Islands. Likewise, the rates that will be charged to you will be on a per-day basis. Other insurance policies are required by car rental companies, though. Nonetheless, caution is still to be exercised, especially during times of heavy downpour. For example, if you are a citizen of Canada, you may stay in the Bahamas for up to eight (8) months without a visa. Car rental companies located at the Most first-time travelers may wonder how it is driving in Nassau, Bahamas capital. Driving in Nassau is hectic and frustrating at times. It will be like having a vacation every day, but you get to earn as well during that vacation. Former City Market on Cable Beach Now Open, Just Used Nassau Grocer Delivery Service at Harborside. As always well cover the biggest question in regards to driving. Latest Pictures / Photos. If you landed and stay at Grand Bahama Island, it would be hard not to miss the Lucayan National Park. Its also helpful to pack some ibuprofen, tissues, disinfectant wipes or gel, and aloe vera lotion to help combat any day-to-day health hazards, headaches, or sunburns. Make sure the rental car has. We think the best way for driving in Nassau is to dedicate 1-2 days to sightseeing while having the rest of the days as beach days. You can rent a car on the island and check the different spots at your most preferred time. This is a common case within Nassau, Bahamas where driving within heavy traffic makes it more difficult to reposition the car. Do not stop in the adjacent lane just to overtake when it's time to. Since it is a popular tourism destination, premium cars and brands can also be found around. This means that youll have to put away your cellphone or any devices that can distract you. Regulatory signs are in circular shape, warning signs are in triangular shapes, and directional signs are in rectangular shape. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. If not, place them or any bag under the seats or away from sight. There is no traffic on Queens Highway, but there are potholes that you need to watch out for. Lets take a look at all the basic rules that you need to know before you start driving in Nassau. The answer is no. This is apart from your fuel, oil, and water. Stops on your cruise depend on the length of the cruise and the trip you select, so definitely look into the finer details before booking. However, if your native drivers license expires in less than a year from the date your IDP was issued, the validity of your IDP will also expire. There are several parking lots and parking garages in the country. But just in case they ask for the documents, youll be able to present them right away. Of course, renting a car will always give you the best flexibility and the ability to go wherever you want and stop wherever you want. Each to their own though and whatever makes you happy on your vacation. If you are not accustomed to driving on the left then you will need to give your brain some time to accommodate. Almost all locals on every island speak the official language. Here are a few of the fixed penalties according to the Bahamian Highway Code: The importance of having a driving etiquette is for the safety of all road users, not just you. document.getElementById( "ak_js_6" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We understand that learning to drive isnt cheap, hence we have a variety of packages that would allow our clients to choose from and simultaneously save. When youre in the right lane already, speed up just enough to pass the car in front of you. However, this comes with a few disadvantages. These include the islands of New Providence, Grand Bahama, Great Abaco, Eleutheria, and Exuma. This map was created by a Bimini is the nearest gateway to the Bahamas from Florida. You may be required to show proof that you will be returning home, so make sure youre prepared to show your return plane ticket when entering The Bahamas. Surely, the locals carry this road etiquette too. Andros is the biggest island in the Bahamas. Road closures may occasionally be implemented on some parts of the Bahamas, mostly due to road construction and rehabilitation. Be alert for any possible additional hazards like fire. If youre interested in exploring business opportunities in the Bahamas, you can start driving around Freeport, Bahamas. Posted by: Nassau Paradise Island on October 22, 2014. Of course it's always a good idea to contact your cell phone provider before traveling to talk about your best options. The Bahamas is well supported by an agriculture, fishing, and tourism-driven economy. You need to take your IDP with you wherever you go driving in the Bahamas. Driving with Ms.Odigie has been a great experience that I have gone through. We have easy forms of payment. Consider cabs or pre-paid transfersrather than renting cars or scooters to avoid unfamiliar driving practices. The fee of BS$15.00 covers the cost of the theory examination and the practical examination. Banks in The Bahamas are open Monday-Thursday from 9:30-3:00 and on Fridays 9:30-5:00. Choose to either start in the morning or afternoon. The House of Assembly consists of 38 members who are elected single-member constituencies. Besides, emergency vehicles always have the right of way. Topography-wise, the terrain is mostly flat, with the highest peak at 63 meters high (Mount Alvernia). Once you reach the intersection at John F. Kennedy Drive, turn left until the next roundabout. This article will walk you through the basic things to do and remember when traveling and driving in the Bahamas. Non-Bahamians should present Passport, Permit to Reside, issued by The Bahamas Immigration Department (Work Permit, Residency Permit, Spousal Permit or Permanent Resident Permit). When approaching a junction, keep your eyes peeled for white pavement markings. If you think the police officer was mistaken, politely explain the situation to him/her. When driving in the Bahamas, the government only requires your native license and an international drivers permit. Once there, you can rent a car to drive around the island. According to Real Motor, people in the Bahamas prefer vehicles that have a high fuel efficiency and have parts that are readily available in the country. This road is good quality and its the best for exploring all the places. Its pretty hard and we only recommend it if you have proper driving experience. Pay extra attention in the first hour or so after youve got your rental. Its pretty hard and its hard due to traffic and other drivers. You should drive carefully, calmly, and responsibly, especially if you're used to driving left-hand-drive cars. WebYou can book passage aboard these vessels to at least 17 different remote islands. 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