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French Polynesia may have many tiny islands that you may think that driving a car is unnecessary, but in a country where the number of visits is as many as its population, squeezing yourself in circling tour buses and taxis may cause hassle. Driving a rental gives you more flexibility with your time and plans. You will be able to explore the road off-grid, and off-the-beaten paths are reachable within your means. Below is helpful information on renting, driving rules and etiquettes, as well as the driving conditions in Bora Bora.
Renting a Car
Documents Required
To be eligible for a rental car, you must meet the legal driving age and renting age requirement in French Polynesia. Most rental companies will ask for your native driver’s license, passport, and an international driver’s permit. Your chosen car supplier may charge you more if you’re below the minimum age requirement for renting a car, which will be discussed down below, so read on further.
Age Requirements
Most car rental companies in the world require you to be 25 years old to rent a vehicle. In French Polynesia, you must be at least 21 years old, though you may be subject to the young driver’s surcharge if you’re below 25 years old. The young driver’s surcharge is usually hefty per day fee. The extra charge gives car rental companies additional protection as younger drivers seem to get into accidents more. The said fee still depends on your car rental supplier.
Road Rules in French Polynesia
Important Regulations
Being a driving tourist in French Polynesia, you must pay close attention to every traffic sign, signal, and important regulation imposed on the road. Traffic regulations are ordained to maintain organization and safety for both the drivers, passengers, and pedestrians on the road.
Speed limits are imposed to maintain safety among drivers and passengers as speeding often results in serious accidents, and it could sometimes be fatal. In French Polynesian islands, the general speed limits are 40 km/h or 24 mph in the towns and villages. When traversing an open road, maintain a speed limit of 80 km/h or 48 mph. Speed limits can differ from each island, though. On Bora Bora, for example, you must maintain a speed limit of 60 km/h.
Traffic Road Signs
Most traffic road signs in French Polynesia are similar to that of France. Signages here are written in French words, so, if you have driven in France before, it will be easier for you to understand and get around here. Listed down below are some of the road signs you may see and encounter while driving in French Polynesia
- Arrêt – Stop
- Aucun arrêt – No stopping
- Cédez le passage – Yield
- Ralentir – Slow down
- Aucun parking – No parking
- Tournez à gauche – Turn left
- Tourner à droite – Turn right
- Chaussée glissante – Slippery road
- Giratoire – Roundabout
- Autoroute – Motorway
- Limite de vitesse – Maximum speed
- La limitation de vitesse – Speed limit
- Un accident – Accident
- Sens unique – One way
- Aucune entrée – No entry
- Aucun dépassement – No overtaking
- Ralentir travaux – Slow down, road works ahead
- Passage piéton – Pedestrian crossing
- Priorité à droite – Priority to the right
- Signaux de la circulation – Traffic signals
- Deux voie de circulation – Two way traffic
Age & Driving Side
Age
The legal driving age in French Polynesia is 18 years old, and the maximum age for driving is 70. Meeting the minimum age requirement grants you a valid driver’s license, which is a useful document when you apply for an international driver’s license. The maximum age for driving is imposed to ensure safety as older drivers tend to lose the sharpness of focus on the road; health is also considered to ensure a driver is fit to drive.
Driving Side
In French Polynesia, drivers drive on the right side of the road. This rule is also similar to France’s driving side and most countries in Europe. If you’re from the United Kingdom, you may practice getting used to driving on the right-hand side, but if you’ve ever driven in most EU countries, you’ll find driving in French Polynesia, easy. It’s even an advantage for you if you’re an American driver who drives on the right side of the road.
Driving Etiquettes
Police Stops
If a police officer stops you, don’t automatically take it as an offense. The police may stop you for many reasons. If you believe you are not responsible for any traffic violation, then this shouldn’t worry you. When a police officer stops you, slowly pull over to the side of the road. Don’t get intimidated to ask questions, and if in turn, they ask for your documents, show them your passport, native driver’s license, and IDP.
A police officer may also check if the vehicle you’re driving is insured. They may also check if you and your passengers are wearing your seat belts, so it’s important to follow the regulation on seat belts.
Asking Directions
When driving in French Polynesia, maps are helpful with driving directions. If you don’t have maps ready with you, asking locals would be a good option to find your way to your destination. French Polynesians are lovely people who welcome tourists in the country with warmth and hospitality. When driving in French Polynesia, language in the main island of Tahiti can be used, though the majority speak French. Here are helpful Tahitian phrases you can use.:
- La ora na – Hello
- Maita’ i oe – How are you?
- Maita’ i vau – I am fine
- Ua ite oe i te parar Marite? – Do you speak English?
- Fa’aite mai ia’u ite e’a – Show me the way to…
- Aita i papu ia’u – I don’t understand
- ‘Aita pe’ ape’a – No worries
- Mauruuru – Thank you
- ‘Ia ha’amaita’i mai te Atua ia ‘oe – God bless you
- Nana – Bye bye
Checkpoints
Typically at checkpoints, police officers may ask for your driving documents such as your international driving permit, native driver’s license, and as a foreign driver, you will have to show your passport. It’s essential that you have these documents ready at all times, even when you’re just going to buy some snacks from a nearby store. Drunk driving is a real problem on the main islands, so if you’re asked to do a breathalyzer, comply with the police officers.
When driving in French Polynesia borders, police rarely cause hassles to foreigners. They may set up checkpoints on busy islands of Tahiti, Moorea, and Raiatea. When driving in Polynesia, border police may ask for your visa and other travel documents.
Driving Conditions
Tips
When driving in French Polynesia, distances are measured and written in kilometers and speed limits are in kilometers per hour. However, a French term of measurement is used in metropolitan areas in French Polynesia to provide directional points. The measurement term is called the PK sign (pointe kilometrique in French, which translates to kilometer point). It’s the same sign they use in major towns and cities in France.
PK signs are used to measure distances from designated starting points to places such as restaurants, hotels, lodges, or addresses on the main coastal road. These signs go in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.
When you’re driving in French Polynesia, maps with the PK distances are useful around islands in the Society Islands. PK signs are not complicated and are easy to understand, and pretty sure you’ll get the hang of it.
Road Situations
The road quality in the country varies between islands. When driving in French Polynesia expect the roads to be narrow and winding with often no street lights, except in Tahiti. You may also find it challenging to drive at night as some traffic lights are on the left side of the road, making them difficult to spot or see. Many roads in the rural areas are unpaved, while roads on Tahiti, Bora bora, Moorea, Raiatea, Tahaa, and Huahine are reasonably paved and well-maintained.
Driving Culture
Local drivers are generally safe drivers, even though overtaking is a common occurrence on the road. Many drivers in Tahiti drive fast, as they are more familiar with the conditions of the roads, and they know their way to get around unpaved ones that you may find difficult to traverse. Even though French Polynesian drivers do it faster, you don’t need to get into a race with them. The locals are very warm and friendly, so you can always negotiate with them about road safety.
