In New Caledonia, the Highway Code is similar to the one in France but with some specific driving rules to abide by. Our teams do a quick brief.
Driving in New Caledonia
To enjoy New Caledonia's stunning sceneries, make sure to book your vehicle in advance and take a look at our driving guide to get on the road serenely.
Which driver's licence for New caledonia?
To drive in New Caledonia, you must provide a valid driver's licence. If it is not issued in France or in one of the European Union's countries, an international driver's licence is required.
New Caledonia Highway Code
The Highway Code is similar to the one in France: you drive on the right lane.
Within the city, the speed limit is 50 km/h, on the express road "Savexpress" 70 km/h and on the highway "RT1" 110 km/h.
Blood alcohol level is the same as in France. The limit is 0.5g/L for drivers having held a category B licence for at least 3 years.
Note : when driving in urban areas, dipped headlights must be used, not sidelights.
Parking in New Caledonia
In Noumea, the biggest city, there are over 6,500 parking spaces available, 3,000 of which at no charge. Parking spaces are free on Sundays.
Outside Noumea, you can park almost anywhere close to shops and on the side of the road.
Roads condition in New Caledonia
Roads are in good condition on the main land (New Caledonia's main island) but some can be narrow and windy. In Noumea, you will have to deal with traffic jams during rush hour: 7 to 8:30am and 5 to 6:30pm.
If leaving the main roads to explore secondary roads, keep in mind some may be in poorer condition. We would suggest renting a SUV to drive on country roads. If sticking to a city car, make sure to plan ahead your road trip.
Note: There are no tolls in New Caledonia. All roads are free.
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