Montserrat — often called the 'Emerald Isle of the Caribbean' — is a small British Overseas Territory in the eastern Caribbean, part of the Lesser Antilles island chain. The island gets its nickname due to its lush green mountains and strong Irish heritage, though it does have a volcanic and tropical climate, with dramatic landscapes shaped by the active Soufrière Hills volcano. Montserrat's economy is dependent on tourism, construction, agriculture and offshore services, and the island is famous for being the location of the legendary AIR Studios Montserrat, where many famous musicians recorded albums in the 1970s and 1980s.
Though the official capital of Montserrat is Plymouth, the town has been abandoned since 1997 after the place was evacuated in 1995 when the eruptions of Soufrière Hills destroyed the town — partly burying it in volcanic ash and mudflows. Today, the government of Montserrat operates from the town of Brades in the northwestern part of the island, which serves as the de facto administrative capital, but the island is currently constructing a new capital northeast of Brades: Little Bay.
Montserrat’s primary natural hazard is the active Soufrière Hills Volcano, which has been erupting since 1995, rendering the southern parts of the island as an uninhabitable exclusion zone. Other hazards include earthquakes, hurricanes, tropical storms and coastal flooding.
For driving and traffic offences;
And for other offences;
The official language of Montserrat is English, but Montserrat Creole (Stratian) is also spoken.
Vehicles drive on the left-hand side in Montserrat. The minimum age to drive is 18, but the minimum renting age is 21. Renters between 21 and 24 years old may also be subject to a young driver surcharge, and restricted to smaller vehicle classes. UK drivers are required to have an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to a valid driving licence and a temporary local driving licence/permit, which one can be brought online, or at John A. Osborne Airport and the police station in Brades for EC$50 (~£14). International car rental chains are limited, so most rentals are local operators. Also, rental cars usually have red licence plates beginning with 'R'.
Roads are generally paved but can be narrow, steep, lightly signed in some areas, and winding with hairpin bends. There are no traffic lights on the island, yet traffic is normally light — most visitors find driving manageable after a short adjustment period. However, be sure to avoid night-driving in unfamiliar roads, expect steep mountain sections and sharp curves, and to not enter the volcanic exclusion zone near Plymouth without authorisation.
Unleaded petrol, diesel and LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) are the main fuel types available in Montserrat, and fuel is sold by the imperial gallon, not litres. Most fuel stations have attendants who would fill up for you, and cash is widely accepted since it is the safest method. US dollars are often accepted, and card is sometimes accepted, but card machines may not always work reliably. So it is best to have cash with you always.
There are a limited number of stations on the island, with the well-known ones being the A&F Service Centre near the airport, the Osborne Service Centre in St. Peter's Road, and the Delta Petroleum Gas Station at Davy Hill. The island may be small, but don't let the tank get too low before exploring remote areas. Also, stations are typically open around 7am to 8pm, but may close earlier on Sundays and holidays, as well as for deliveries, bad weather or being short-staffed. So be sure to fill up as early as possible.
Drink driving is indeed illegal in Montserrat, but there is no official information on the island's legal limits. Since Montserrat generally follows UK-style road traffic law and enforcement, it could be applied that the BAC limit is 0.08%. However, it is best advised to completely avoid drinking if driving.
Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants.
There isn't a clearly published up-to-date government source on child seat laws in Montserrat, but since the island generally follows UK-style road safety rules in practice, it is safe to assume that children under 12 years or under 135cm tall should be secured in an appropriate child car seat or booster seat.
Check out more of our Country Guides: