Dominica — known as the Commonwealth of Dominica — is an island nation in the eastern Caribbean Sea, located between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique. The country is often dubbed as the 'Nature Isle of the Caribbean' due to its lush rainforests, volcanic mountains, coral reefs, waterfalls, hot springs (like the dangerous Boiling Lake) and rivers, and it is well-known for its rich biodiversity and relatively untouched natural environment, alongside being one of the few places in the Caribbean with a remaining population of Indigenous Kalinago people.
Its capital, Roseau, is the political, economic and cultural centre of Dominica. Situated on the southwest coast of the island, Roseau is a small yet lively city known for its colourful colonial-style buildings, a busy waterfront and port, botanical gardens and scenic mountain views, as well as key landmarks such as the Parliament building, the Dominica Museum and the Old Market Square, which reflects the island’s colonial history.
Hurricanes, tropical storms, landsides/mudslides, flooding and volcanic activity.
The most common driving/traffic violations in Dominica are the following:
Other violations to keep in mind are:
There is an official ED card that tourists can get for declaring goods. The card requests its holder to declare items like food/animal or plant products, wildlife products, pharmaceuticals and drugs, weapons/explosives, commercial goods and currency over EC$10,000 (~£2,765). If you're unsure whether something needs declaring, the Dominican government explicitly advises declaring it to Customs. Keep in mind that an official ED card is free to obtain; the Dominican government warns about unofficial websites charging tourists for these cards.
The official language of Dominica is English, but Dominican Creole French and Kokoy are also spoken.
Vehicles drive on the left in Dominica. The minimum age to drive is 18, but to rent, drivers must be at least 21 – 25, depending on the rental company. Rental companies would also require drivers to have held a valid licence for at least 1 – 2 years, and would sometimes charge those who are under 25 a daily 'young driver surcharge'. UK drivers don't strictly need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Dominica, but a Visitor’s Temporary Dominican Driving Permit is required. This permit must be brought upon arrival using your valid UK photocard licence directly from your rental company or at a local police station.
Roads on the island are often narrow, steep, winding and can be in poor condition with signage either sparse or absent. Be on lookout for potholes, landslides after heavy rain, and pedestrians and animals on the road. Also, match your speed to current weather and road conditions rather than looking for a posted sign, and avoid driving at night, especially on mountain roads.
Most fuel stations in Dominica offer only unleaded petrol and diesel, and are full-service. Most larger stations accept card, but it is recommended to carry cash, particularly if you're travelling outside the main towns where card terminals may occasionally be unavailable. Stations are more frequent in Roseau and the west coast, but are less common in mountainous areas and parts of the east coast. In addition, many stations operate roughly from early morning until evening rather than 24/7, so make sure to fill up before departure and when your tank reaches halfway, and don't leave refuelling until late evening. Some rental companies have a full-to-full policy. So if that's the case for you, keep any fuel receipts in case the rental company asks for proof of refuelling.
The legal limit is 0.08%, but with the dangerous road conditions on the island, it is advised to avoid drinking if you're planning to drive afterwards.
Mandatory for all occupants.
There are no specific national laws requiring child car seats or restraints in Dominica. So if you are renting a vehicle with a child, request a child seat from your selected rental company in advance to ensure they have one available when you arrive.
Dominica doesn't have a published list of mandatory items to have in vehicle, but the following are recommend due to the island's mountainous environment and changing weather:
Most reputable rental companies provide at least some emergency equipment. Before departure, check to see if your rental vehicle has these items inside, especially the spare tyre and the tools to replace a tyre.
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