International Driving Permit for Bonaire
Bonaire drives on the right, and this flat, arid Caribbean island is best known for its world-class diving and its many one-way coastal roads to dive sites. A foreign licence is generally accepted for short visits, though an IDP adds a handy translation. Watch for free-roaming donkeys and goats, and note that the island's interior roads can be unpaved and rocky.
Do you need an IDP to drive in Bonaire?
Most visitors can drive in Bonaire on a valid national licence, but carrying an IDP is useful as a recognised translation, especially as official documents are in Dutch and Papiamentu.
Quick facts
- Driving side
- Right
- Minimum driving age
- 18 years
- Region
- Americas
- IDP
- Useful
Local languages: Dutch, Papiamentu
Driving in Bonaire: key facts
- Driving is on the right, and Bonaire's terrain is flat and dry, with unpaved tracks leading to remote dive sites and the national park.
- Free-roaming donkeys, goats, and iguanas frequently wander onto roads, so cautious driving is important.
- Seatbelts are required, distances are short, and many shore dive sites are reached via marked one-way coastal roads.
How to get your IDP for Bonaire
Getting your International Driving Permit for Bonaire takes only a few minutes:
- 1Apply online
Complete a short application in about 2 minutes — no paperwork or appointments.
- 2Upload your documents
Add a photo of your national driving licence and a passport-style photo.
- 3Get your IDP instantly
Receive your digital International Driving Permit by email, ready to use in Bonaire.
Frequently asked questions about driving in Bonaire
Do I need an IDP to drive in Bonaire?
An IDP is not strictly required for most short-stay visitors, who can drive on a valid national licence, but it is useful as an official translation since local documents are in Dutch and Papiamentu.
Can I rent a car in Bonaire with a foreign licence?
Yes, you can rent a car with a valid foreign licence; many visitors choose pickups or SUVs to reach the island's unpaved dive sites and national park.
What side of the road does Bonaire drive on?
Bonaire drives on the right-hand side of the road.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Bonaire?
The minimum driving age is 18, but rental companies usually require drivers to be at least 21, sometimes 23 or 25 for certain vehicle classes.
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International Driving Permit for Bonaire
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