This section provides detailed information on the legal criteria for driving in Cayman; how to get a driving licence; exactly how to import a car to Grand Cayman, what the Cayman customs laws are, how to clear your car through customs and what the costs are; how to buy a new or used car in Cayman; Cayman car dealers, what they specialise in and useful contact details; details on how to licence your vehicle to make it legally road worthy; we finish with alternative transportation - scooters, bicycles and public transportation.

It may be surprising to learn that having a car is really essential on such a small island. People just do not walk from one place to another and hitchhiking is done less and less. A bicycle is an option, but motorists often do not give cyclists the respect they deserve, and there is often very little road shoulder, let alone designated bike paths. 

RULES OF THE ROAD

In Cayman, people drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Roundabouts seem to be particularly confusing. We give way to traffic approaching from the right and drive around them in a clockwise direction. Once on a roundabout do not stop to let other cars from the left enter the roundabout in front of you.

Turning left on a red light after a full stop is allowed.

We have a few 4-way stops. These work on the basis that whoever is approaching the 4-way stop goes first before the others.

ROUNDABOUTS

If you are not familiar with roundabouts then read on as roundabouts are a frequent occurrence in Cayman and they have proven to be a great way to control traffic flow.

 Every time you approach or come on to a roundabout you must give it your full attention. Be aware of the traffic around you and don’t just rely on your mirrors.

The rules are really very simple:

Always travel around a roundabout in a clockwise direction.

Use your indicators when approaching or exiting a roundabout. When turning left this should be obvious. When going straight across or turning right, you should indicate right as you approach the roundabout and then as you approach your exit indicate left.

Observe the movement of other cars – Don’t just use your mirror. Watch the traffic around you to see its positioning and direction, as blind-spots mean that other cars are difficult to see in your mirror.

Keep in formation – If you are on a multi-lane roundabout then don’t change lanes and don’t overtake on either side.

Cars in the right-hand lane have right of way – Watch out for cars in the right-hand lane. If they are to your right and slightly ahead and they want to turn left, then they have the right of way.

Be courteous to other drivers – Assume drivers around you are not familiar with roundabouts and so, if in doubt, give them lots of space, or even go around the roundabout again to avoid a confrontation!

When using multi-lane roundabouts – Keep in the left lane if taking the first or second exit. Keep in the right-hand lane if taking a subsequent exit and maintain your position on the centre lane until the exit before the one you wish to leave on. Then when moving from the centre lane to the outer lane prior to exiting look over your left shoulder to ensure someone is not overtaking you on the outside. See diagram on next page.

Using the Centre Lane

The centre lane is available on some stretches of road to assist drivers navigating across traffic. It should never be used for overtaking.

DRIVING LICENCES

If you have a full domestic driving licence from a country within the Geneva Convention Road Traffic Agreement, you can obtain a full Cayman licence. This basically means people from: all the major European countries; most major English speaking countries (including the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and South Africa); and the following Caribbean countries – Jamaica, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Trinidad and Tobago are entitled to obtain a Cayman driving licence without having to take any further tests.

If in doubt call the Licensing Department on 945 8344 or visit www.geocities.com/bkkriders/law/unc/. You must apply for a Cayman licence within three months of arriving.

According to Insurance Providers, if you are a resident or have a valid work permit then your insurance is valid if you:

Have an International driver’s licence from a Geneva contracting state you will be able to drive in the Cayman Islands for the duration of the International Licence (which will be 12 months from the date of issue).

Have a domestic driver’s licence from a Geneva contracting state, you must obtain a Cayman licence within three months of arriving in Cayman. You will not have to take a Cayman driving test.

Do not have a valid domestic licence from a Geneva country, then you will have to take a written and a road test to obtain a Cayman drivers licence before being able to drive in Cayman.

If you are a visitor (i.e. not a resident and you don’t have a work permit) then:

You must obtain a Visitor’s Permit (CI$6), which is valid for the duration of your stay, or a maximum of six months, or you will be deemed to be driving illegally.

If you obtain a Cayman Work Permit you cannot continue to drive in Cayman using a Visitor’s Permit. You must get a full Cayman licence.

Cayman driving licences can be obtained for 3 to 5 years and cost in the range of CI$85–CI$159 depending on the type of licence required. However, if there is a declared disability that affects your driving, then that driving licence may be issued for one year only.

 It should also be noted, if you lend your car to a visitor, even if they are on the Island for only a few days, then they will have to get a Visitor’s Permit, otherwise your insurance will be invalid.

 Having said all of this you need to be very clear what licence your insurance company requires for your insurance to be valid as some insurers will ask for a Cayman licence before covering you. Most policies have very strict age limitations. So we recommend that you head down, as soon as you can, to one of the three licensing offices, with your foreign licence, passport, CI or US dollars or CI or US cheque book (they take the photos), and they will issue you with your brand new Cayman licence if you satisfy the requirements.

The Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing:

461 Walkers Road, George Town

(above Wendy’s)

Tel: (345) 945 8344

33 Elgin Ave., George Town

(next to the Police Station in George Town)

Tel: (345) 945 8355

9 Rev. Blackman Road, West Bay

(Across from the West Bay Police Station)

Tel: (345) 949 7231

For those who don’t have a full licence, the path is slow and tedious. First, one has to apply at the Driving Test Centre on Walkers Road (above Wendy’s) for an appointment for a written test of driving knowledge. The written test, which can normally be taken within one month of making the appointment, costs CI$25. Brush up on the local rules by reading ‘Drive Safely in Cayman’ (available from local booksellers for $15). This book replaces ‘Good Driving is No Accident’ and includes the Traffic Law written in everyday language. You must take your passport on all visits to the test centre.

 Having passed the written test, one can then obtain a provisional licence for CI$50. This allows you to drive whilst accompanied by another driver who has held a full Cayman licence for at least one year. Check that the car insurance policy covers such a situation.

 Be warned, if (for example), after a simple fender bender it transpires that the driver was not insured for third-party risks, the driver will be fined up to CI$1,000 and lose his/her provisional licence for a year. Likewise, the registered owner of the vehicle will also be fined a similar amount and also lose his/her driving licence for a year.

 After a period of tuition, the practical road test can be taken for a fee of CI$50. As there can be a wait of up to four weeks to get an appointment, book the test at the time of obtaining the provisional licence. After successfully passing the road test, a full unrestricted licence can be obtained.

 Cayman driving schools are as follows: Cayman Islands Driving School, Tel: (345) 949 9070, Mc’s Driving School, Tel: (345) 916 5713 or (345) 324 3639. Both have been established for a number of years.

 Note that there is no difference for a driving licence for automatic or standard shift (manual) cars. You can take your test on either type of car and then drive whatever you like.

LICENSING YOUR VEHICLE

Your vehicle will need to be inspected and licensed every year by the Dept. of Vehicle Licensing. Avoid doing this at the beginning and end of the month as they get very busy and avoid days when it is raining.

 The law does not require you to have a Cayman licence to register a car in your name, but if you are registering it in the name of a company, you must have a Trade & Business licence and a letter of good standing from the Registrar of Companies, located in the Citrus Grove Building, Goring Ave.

 The minimum cost for one year’s inspection and licensing is CI$185 ($160 licence, $25 inspection). However, scooters, trucks, taxis and Hummers have different prices for both inspection and licensing. Vehicle inspections are only offered at the Elgin Ave, George Town and West Bay locations.

 Vehicles can be inspected for any period up to 36 months and licensed for 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. For 36 months, the vehicle must be brand new, and not previously licensed in any country. Vehicles licensed for 24 months must not be older than three years from the date of manufacture. Please note that if your vehicle is new to the Island you will also have to purchase licence plates at CI$50 per set.

RENTAL CARS

Cayman has all the top car rental companies here as well as a few very good local ones. Rates are higher in winter (from mid-December) but lower in the summer (from mid-April). A mid-size car costs from about US$55 to US$60 per day in winter to US$35 in summer. Jeeps cost from US$60 to US$65 in high season and US$40 to US$45 in the low season. Insurance is additional. Most rental car companies give resident rates so be sure to ask. To rent a car, drivers must have a credit card, be over the age of 21 years and have a Cayman driving licence, an International driving licence or be issued (at the time of rental) with a Visitors Permit (CI$6). Rental car agencies are not allowed by the Traffic Law to charge an extra fee for a visitor’s permit.

Andy’s Rent a Car Ltd.

Seven Mile Beach and at the Airport

Tel: (345) 949 8111

www.andys.ky

Avis Cico Rent a Car

At the Airport, Tel: (345) 949 2468

Budget Rent a Car

At the Airport, Tel: (345) 949 5605

Coconut Car Rentals

At the Airport, Tel: (345) 949 4377

www.coconutcarrentals.com

Economy Car Rental

At the Airport, Tel: (345) 949 9550

Leasing a Vehicle

For residents intending to be living and working on Island for only one to two years leasing may be a better option. Some banks do not give credit within your first year on Cayman and this can pose a problem when wanting to purchase a car with credit. There are now leasing companies that can help. Drivers must purchase their own insurance and pay a down payment; from then on it is a matter of monthly payments.

Cayman Automotive

Tel: (345) 749 0900, Email: jfelder0244@verizon.net

Down payments range from $1,800 to $2,000 and monthly payments average $460 to $680 depending on the model of vehicle. Lease terms are offered for two or three years and all vehicles come with a warranty. Breaking the lease before the expiration date does not incur a penalty, but you will lose your deposit.

Cayman Leasing

Tel: (345) 949 2700, Email: gfoakley@candw.ky

Cayman Leasing works primarily through local car dealers. Vehicles can be new or pre-owned but not can be more than 4 years old. A down payment is required and then they arrange financing for up to three years.  

 Importing a Car

If you would like to import your own car into the Cayman Islands a brief summary of the process is as follows: You will need to get the car to the Port of Miami or Tampa, clear US Customs and book the car on the next ship sailing to Cayman. Once the car has landed in Cayman you take all your paperwork to Customs and then to the Port Authority, paying duty (27.5%–40% depending on the value of your car), a one time fee of CI$250 for future car disposal, and a few other charges related to shipping. You can then clear your car. You can also get a customs broker to help you with the process, as it can be fairly complicated.

Clearing Your Car Through Cayman Customs

Once your car has landed at the port in Cayman the shipping company will notify you. At this stage if you have used a customs broker out of the US they will liaise with their contact here in Cayman and the following steps will be taken care of. However, if you are doing it yourself the next steps are as follows:

Collect paperwork from the shipping company and pay shippers.

Go to Customs, pay the duty for your vehicle and pay the CI$250 environmental fee.

Go to the Port Authority and pay port charges of about CI$50 depending on the weight of your vehicle.

Pick up your vehicle.

Obtain car insurance. You will need a cover note demonstrating insurance on the vehicle before going to licensing.

Go to the Vehicle Licensing Department to license your vehicle for one year (CI$160*), have it inspected (CI$25*) and purchase Cayman Islands licence plates (CI$50). *Note the cost depends on the type of vehicle being licensed.