Bermuda Speed Limits and Road Rules: What Every Driver Must Know (2026)

Bermuda Speed Limits and Road Rules: What Every Driver Must Know (2026)

Bermuda's national speed limit is 35 km/h, and it applies to every class of vehicle, from cars to motorcycles and auxiliary cycles. The island drives on the left, and several of its priority rules work differently from what newcomers expect. This guide covers the speed limits, junction rules, overtaking law, and the other essentials from the official Traffic Code Handbook. ExamReady is an independent study site and is not affiliated with the Transport Control Department (TCD) or the Government of Bermuda. When you are ready, try the free Bermuda practice test.

Key takeaways

• The national speed limit is 35 km/h on all roads, for all vehicle classes, unless a lower limit is posted.
• Limits are in kilometres per hour, not miles per hour: lower zones are 25, 15, and 8 km/h.
• Bermuda drives on the left, and you overtake on the right except in four specific situations.
• At uncontrolled crossroads you give way to traffic entering from your left, but at roundabouts priority goes to the right.
• The blood alcohol limit is 80 mg per 100 ml, and hand-held phone use while driving is prohibited.

What is the speed limit in Bermuda?

The speed limit in Bermuda is 35 km/h (about 22 mph) on all roads. There is no higher limit anywhere on the island, and the limit applies to all vehicle classes, including motorcycles and auxiliary cycles. Note that Bermuda posts its limits in km/h, not mph.

Several zones carry lower posted limits. The Traffic Code Handbook lists them as follows:

Area	Speed limit
All roads (national limit)	35 km/h
Town of St. George's and Dockyard	25 km/h
L.F. Wade International Airport	25 km/h
Somerset Bridge and Hamilton Wharf	15 km/h
St. George's Wharf	8 km/h

The 35 km/h limit is tested in the handbook's own sample questions, so know it cold before your written exam. TCD does not publish the exam's question count or pass mark, so focus on mastering the rules rather than chasing unofficial figures.

Bermuda drives on the left

You must drive on the left side of the road and keep as near to the left as practicable, unless you are overtaking or turning right. If any part of your vehicle is on the right (off) side of the road, you must give way to traffic approaching on your left. If you are moving to Bermuda, remember that foreign driving licences are not accepted: everyone takes the local exams. Our Bermuda driver's licence guide walks through the whole process.

Junction rules that surprise newcomers

Bermuda's priority rules are unusual, and two of them point in opposite directions, so learn them as a pair.

Uncontrolled crossroads: give way to the left

At crossroads and junctions with no stop signs, you give way to vehicles entering the intersection from your left. This is the opposite of the priority-to-the-right convention used in most countries, and it is one of the easiest rules to misunderstand. When entering a major road from a minor road, private drive, or alleyway, give way to traffic already on the major road, and after stopping at a stop sign, give way to traffic on the road you are entering.

Roundabouts: priority to the right

At roundabouts, the rule flips: you give priority to traffic approaching from the right, unless directed otherwise. Do not carry the crossroads rule onto a roundabout, or vice versa.

Four-way stops when the lights are out

When stop lights are out of order, the junction works as a four-way stop on the principle "first to arrive, first to move". Every vehicle must come to a complete stop, then proceed in order of arrival.

Buses pulling out

You must give way to a bus at a bus stop when its driver signals the intention to pull out. Treat a signalling bus like any other vehicle with priority and let it merge.

Overtaking: right side only, with four exceptions

You overtake on the right only. The handbook allows overtaking on the left in exactly four situations: when the driver ahead has signalled a right turn (not in one-way streets), in two-lane systems when the right lane is moving slower, when turning left at a "STOP EXCEPT LEFT TURN" sign, and in one-way systems.

Some places are never safe to overtake. You must never overtake at a corner or bend, at or approaching the brow of a hill, at crossroads, or at a pedestrian crossing. These prohibitions are worth practising until they feel automatic. Practise spotting them on the Bermuda practice test.

Following distance: the two-second rule

Keep at least a two-second gap behind the vehicle in front, and at least double it to four seconds on wet roads, at dawn or dusk, or in other hazardous conditions. The handbook also gives the Basic Safe Driving Rule: always be able to stop on your own side of the road within the distance you can see to be clear. Average reaction time is about 0.7 seconds, so the gap exists to buy you thinking time before you even touch the brakes.

Road lines and markings you must know

Centre-line colours carry different weights in Bermuda. A solid yellow centre line means you should not cross or straddle it, except when it is safe and you are entering adjoining premises or a side road, passing a stationary vehicle, or overtaking a pedal cycle, horse, or road maintenance vehicle travelling at 15 km/h or less. You must not wait or park opposite a yellow line.

Double solid white lines are stricter: you must not cross or straddle them, and you must not wait or park opposite them. A single solid white centre line may be crossed to overtake when it is safe. For the full set of signs and markings, see the Bermuda road signs guide and the road signs gallery.

Alcohol and mobile phones

The blood alcohol limit is 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. The handbook's advice goes further: the only safe number of drinks before driving is none. You must also not drive under the influence of drugs or prescribed medicine that impairs your driving.

You must not drive while using a hand-held cellular phone or similar device for calls or texting. The only exception is calling 911 in a genuine emergency when it is unsafe or impractical to stop. The handbook warns that even hands-free use is likely to distract you.

Seat belts, children, and helmets

The driver and every passenger aged 14 or over must wear a seat belt, front and rear, where belts are fitted. The driver is responsible for passengers under 14. Children under 14 must ride in the rear seat of a motor car in an appropriate child restraint: rear-facing for infants under 20 lbs, a child restraint or lap belt for 20-40 lbs, and a child restraint for 40-80 lbs.

Riders of motorcycles and auxiliary cycles must wear helmets meeting an approved standard: UN ECE Regulation 22.05 ("E" mark), US DOT FMVSS 218, Snell M-95 / M2000 / L-98, or British Standard BS 6658:1985. Only one pillion passenger is allowed, on a proper seat with feet on the footrests. Visitors renting cycles should read our guide to driving in Bermuda for visitors and new residents.

Lights and the horn

Only white lights may face the front of your vehicle (apart from amber indicators and emergency vehicle lights) and only red lights the rear (apart from amber indicators, white reversing lights and emergency vehicle lights). Use headlights at night and whenever visibility is seriously reduced, dipped in built-up areas.

The horn has strict limits: it is illegal to sound it at all between midnight and 6:00 a.m., and between 6 a.m. and midnight it must not be heard beyond 30 feet, except in the interest of safety. Remember that the horn gives you no right of way.

Parking basics

Never park facing against the direction of traffic flow. Turn your headlights off while parked, and never park near a bend, junction, brow of a hill, or hump-backed bridge, or where you block a pedestrian crossing or obscure a traffic sign. In Hamilton, street parking is time-limited unless signs say otherwise; the handbook's sample questions ask about this limit, so check the posted signs.

Official sources

• gov.bm - How to get a driver's licence (licensing steps and fees)
• Transport Control Department (TCD) (the licensing authority)
• gov.bm - Transport Control Department (department information)
• The Traffic Code Handbook (Government of Bermuda, TCD): the official rulebook behind every speed limit and road rule in this guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the speed limit in Bermuda?

The national limit is 35 km/h on all roads and for all vehicle classes, including motorcycles and auxiliary cycles. Lower posted zones apply: 25 km/h in the Town of St. George's, Dockyard, and at L.F. Wade International Airport; 15 km/h at Somerset Bridge and Hamilton Wharf; and 8 km/h at St. George's Wharf.

Is the Bermuda speed limit in mph or km/h?

Kilometres per hour. The 35 km/h national limit works out to roughly 22 mph, so drivers used to US signage should read every limit as km/h, not mph.

Which side of the road does Bermuda drive on?

Bermuda drives on the left. Keep as near to the left as practicable unless you are overtaking or turning right, and overtake on the right except in the four situations the handbook permits.

Who has priority at junctions and roundabouts in Bermuda?

At uncontrolled crossroads you give way to vehicles entering from your left. At roundabouts the rule reverses: give priority to traffic approaching from the right, unless directed otherwise.

What is the drink-driving limit in Bermuda?

The legal blood alcohol limit is 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. The Traffic Code Handbook advises that the only safe number of drinks before driving is none.