Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TORTOLA
Itgo Car Rentals( 284-494-5150;
www.itgobvi.com
)
VIRGIN GORDA
Mahogany Car Rentals( 284-495-5469;
www.mahoganycarrentalsbvi.com
)
Speedy's Car Rental( 284-495-5240;
www.speedysbvi.com
)
Road Conditions
Be prepared for challenging road conditions.
» Steep, winding roads are often the same width as your car, and the potholes can be out-
rageous.
» Chickens, cows and donkeys dart in and out of the roadway and, oh, did we mention the
goats? Keep your eyes peeled for wandering critters.
» Roads can be quite slick after it rains.
» Rush-hour traffic jams occur in urbanized Charlotte Amalie (St Thomas), Christiansted
(St Croix) and Road Town (Tortola).
Road Rules
» Rule number one: drive on the left-hand side of the road.
» Seat belt use is compulsory; children under age five must be in a car seat.
» Proceed clockwise at traffic roundabouts.
» Driving while using a hand-held cell phone is illegal (but ear pieces are permitted).
» The speed limit on most roads is 30mph or less. Road signs and speed-limit signs are
rare, but do watch for speed bumps, which are common.
» Note that drivers don't always heed the rules of the road, often stopping dead with no
warning in the middle of the road to talk to friends or reversing their cars in the opposite
lane of traffic if they've missed their turn.
» A common gesture is the flap: when drivers are about to do something (stop, turn etc),
they may extend their arm horizontally out the window and waggle their hand up and down
like a flapping bird.
