Driving in Belize: A Guide for Tourists and Residents

What you should you know about driving in Belize: local customs, license requirements, road conditions, and insider tips from current residents.

Driving in Belize requires understanding both official regulations and real-world practices. Whether visiting as a tourist or settling in long term as a foreign resident, getting around Belize on your own wheels and navigating bureaucracy presents different challenges from what you might be used to. And while official rules exist on paper, the reality of driving in Belize often differs substantially – here’s what you need to know.

The Official Framework

North American drivers will find many road rules in Belize comfortably familiar. You drive on the right side of the road, distances and speed limits display in miles, and gas stations sell fuel by the gallon. Speed limits match the States’ standards at 55 mph on highways, 25 mph in urban areas, and 15 mph in residential zones. Seat belts are mandatory, and the blood alcohol limit of 0.08% is the same as in many states up north.

But there are some obvious differences. Belize’s road network is quite basic, comprising just four main paved highways. These main highways are really just two-lane roads with limited lighting and minimal street markings in many places. The Philip Goldson Highway runs between Belize City and the Mexican border at Corozal, while the George Price Highway extends east-west between Belize City and the Guatemalan border. The ultra-scenic Hummingbird Highway connects Belmopan to Dangriga on the southern coast with the Southern Highway completing the network with a 97-mile stretch from Dangriga to Punta Gorda in the far south.

On the islands, in communities like San Pedro, golf carts replace regular vehicles as the primary mode of transportation. These areas maintain their own specific rules – drivers must be at least 16 years old with a valid license, and carts follow the same road safety standards as regular vehicles, including speed limits maxing out at 25 mph. Golf carts are prohibited on major highways and restricted to designated paths and community zones.

Traffic control in Belize takes some getting used to. While you’ll find traffic lights in Belize City following standard international signals, they’re not as common as you might expect. Instead, most traffic flow is managed by speed bumps, known locally as “sleeping policemen.” These bumps guard the entrance to most villages and towns across the country, often appearing with little warning.

Some driving practices might surprise newcomers. When making left turns on highways, drivers must pull onto the right shoulder first – it seems counterintuitive but helps prevent accidents on busy roads. Local drivers can be aggressive, often disregarding traffic laws, so defensive driving is essential. Watch for pedestrians too, as many areas lack proper sidewalks.

Getting Licensed in Belize

For tourists and short-term visitors, Belize officially allows driving with a valid foreign license for three months. Recent experiences shared by expats reveal considerable variation in how strictly this limit gets enforced.

To get a Belizean license, you need to visit the traffic department at your local town hall or municipality offices with your valid license from your home country. If you don’t have a foreign license, you’ll need to set up and pass Belize’s driving test instead. You will also (officially, at least) need to be residing in Belize under one of the following categories:

• Permanent work permit status (temporary permits don’t qualify)
• Qualified Retirement Person (QRP) status
• Belize Residency or Citizenship

License costs run $60 BZD ($30) per year, with an option to pay up to three years ($180 BZD) in advance. According to recent experiences, the process of converting a foreign license varies significantly. Some applicants report immediate success with minimal documentation, while others face requests for additional paperwork or waiting periods.

A Canadian resident shares their experience in a recent post on the Belize Expats Facebook group: “I showed my Canadian one [driving license] and was given a Belizean one on the spot. Did this the first month I was in the country. Just the $60 fee.” Others report similar ease: “I took my UK license and work visa to road traffic and they gave me a Beliziam one right away. It was a very easy simple process.”

However, some face more stringent requirements. Multiple expats report different experiences at various offices throughout the country. As one experienced resident advises, “If an official doesn’t want to cooperate, try again with a different official on a different day.” Some report being told they need residency status, while others receive licenses with just their foreign documentation. When required, the test is written and focuses more on local geography than driving rules. Vision tests or medical certifications may be required, though enforcement varies widely. Some offices may ask for a doctor’s certification of fitness to drive.

Replacing a lost license requires visiting the police station first to file a report ($8 BZD fee), then taking this documentation to the local traffic department. Recent experiences suggest this process can be surprisingly efficient – one resident completed it within 20 minutes.

If you don’t want to get a Belizean license, you can keep your foreign license valid by leaving the country every three months and returning.

Daily Driving Realities

Police checkpoints operate regularly throughout Belize, creating an important aspect of daily driving life. Officers verify driving documentation and sometimes request passports. Experienced residents suggest responding to questions about length of stay with “about two weeks” to avoid complications with license validity periods. That said, if they ask for your passport and it doesn’t match the amount of of time you’ve just told them, you might well have issues.

Night driving demands particular caution. Poor lighting, unmarked speed bumps, and the frequent presence of pedestrians and animals make evening travel hazardous. Most experienced residents strongly advise against night driving unless absolutely necessary. The rainy season (June through November) presents significant challenges. Unpaved rural roads often become treacherous with mud and flooding. Even paved highways require extra caution during wet weather, with maintenance varying significantly by region.

Vehicle insurance requirements mandate minimum third-party coverage. Fuel costs are generally over twice those of the United States, averaging $6-7 per gallon. Gas stations accept both Belizean and US dollars, though credit card acceptance remains limited in some rural areas. Expect full service during daylight hours – attendants pump gas and no tipping is required. Night operations switch to prepayment and self-service.

Maintenance becomes a frequent necessity due to road conditions and the country lacks national towing services like AAA. Limited street lighting and unmarked hazards make defensive driving essential.

Understanding Local Practices

Success in navigating Belize’s roads and regulations often depends on understanding and adapting to local practices. This flexibility can initially frustrate those accustomed to more standardized systems, but most foreign residents get used to things.

Maintaining proper insurance coverage, carrying appropriate documentation, and respecting local driving customs ensures safer experiences on Belize’s roads. Remember that requirements and enforcement can vary not just by region but by individual officer – patience and adaptability often prove as valuable as any official document.