Curaçao (CW)
Curaçao is a Dutch Caribbean island of approximately 160,000 people situated 65km north of Venezuela, outside the Atlantic hurricane belt.
Driving in Curaçao
Licence exchange, road rules, fines, buying a car, and cycling.
Driving is on the right-hand side in Curaçao. A car is essential for daily life outside Willemstad — the island has minimal public transport. Road conditions are generally good on main roads; western and northern roads have potholes. Foreign licences are valid for 30 days after arrival, after which a Curaçao driving licence must be obtained. The Verkeersdienst (Traffic Department) administers all driving licence matters. Currency: Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG / NAf).
Driving Licence Exchange
Foreign driving licences are valid in Curaçao for 30 days from arrival. After 30 days, a Curaçao driving licence is required. Dutch/Kingdom of the Netherlands licence holders can exchange directly without a test. EU licence holders need a written theory test. Non-EU licence holders must complete the full process including written and road tests.
Netherlands, Aruba, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, Saba
Direct exchange at the Verkeersdienst without any test. Bring your Dutch/Kingdom licence, passport or ID, Curaçao residence permit (VVA), and 2 passport photos.
Complete within 30 days of arrival. Simplest exchange route for Kingdom of the Netherlands nationals.
Pass a written theory test at the Verkeersdienst. No practical (road) test required if the EU licence is valid and has been held for 2+ years. Bring your EU licence (original), passport, VVA permit, and 2 passport photos. Theory test available in Dutch and English.
Curaçao is not in the EU — no automatic mutual recognition. Theory test covers Curaçao traffic law and road signs.
Full process: (1) Medical/eye test at an approved physician (ANG 50–100). (2) Submit application at Verkeersdienst with foreign licence, passport, VVA, and photos. (3) Written theory test (in Dutch or English). (4) Practical road test. A driving school (rijschool) is recommended — 5–10 lessons typically sufficient for experienced drivers.
Home-country licence will be retained by the Verkeersdienst. IDP helpful for the first 30 days. Applies to UK, US, Canadian, Australian, and all other non-EU licence holders.
Road Rules
Residential areas (bebouwde kom): 40–60 km/h. Outside built-up areas: 80 km/h. Main E9 highway: 80–100 km/h. Speed bumps (drempels) are frequent in residential areas. Speed cameras in use on main roads.
0.5 g/L BAC (50 mg/100 mL) for regular drivers — same as the Netherlands standard. Zero tolerance strongly recommended — enforcement is active, particularly at night and on weekends.
Using a handheld mobile phone while driving is illegal. Fine: ANG 100–300. Hands-free devices are permitted. Even stopping at a traffic light does not make handheld use legal.
Mandatory for all occupants in all seating positions. Fine for non-compliance: ANG 100–200.
Child seats required for children under 12 years and/or under 1.35m height. Use of an approved child safety seat is mandatory.
Traffic Fines (Bußgeldkatalog)
Traffic fines are issued by the Korps Politie Curaçao (KPC) and the Verkeersdienst. No Dutch-style point system operates in Curaçao, but licence suspension applies for serious offences. Fines must be paid within the stated period.
| Offence | Fine | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding 10–20 km/h over limit | ANG 100–200 | — |
| Speeding 21–40 km/h over limit | ANG 200–400 | — |
| Speeding 40+ km/h over limit | ANG 500+ + possible licence suspension | — |
| Drink driving (BAC above 0.5 g/L) | ANG 500–2,000 + licence suspension + possible imprisonment | — |
| Using handheld mobile while driving | ANG 100–300 | — |
| No seatbelt | ANG 100–200 | — |
| Running a red light | ANG 200–400 | — |
| Driving without valid WA insurance | ANG 500–1,000 + vehicle impoundment | — |
| Driving without valid licence | ANG 500–2,000 | — |
| Illegal parking (fire lane, disabled space) | ANG 50–200 + possible towing | — |
Buying a Car
Curaçao has an active used-car market. All imported vehicles pay import duty (12–22%) plus OB (general sales tax, 9%). Japanese brands (Toyota, Honda, Nissan) dominate for reliability and lower import costs. Prices are higher than equivalent vehicles in the US or Europe due to duties. Most vehicles are left-hand drive imports from the US or the Netherlands.
- 1.Search on Scooploop, Marktplaats Curaçao, Facebook Marketplace, or local dealers.
- 2.Arrange an independent mechanic inspection (ANG 100–200).
- 3.Verify title at the Verkeersdienst — confirm seller is registered owner with no outstanding liens.
- 4.Negotiate price — confirm all import clearance documents are available.
- 5.Transfer ownership at the Verkeersdienst with purchase agreement and both parties' IDs.
- 6.Obtain WA (third-party liability) insurance before driving — mandatory.
- •Verify vehicle has been properly cleared through customs — undeclared import duty creates legal liability for the buyer.
- •Check for rust (salt air causes rapid corrosion) and verify AC function.
- •Confirm chassis/VIN number matches all documents.
- •Verify no outstanding liens or financing at Verkeersdienst.
Used car purchase: ANG 12,000–25,000 for a reliable everyday vehicle. Annual road tax (wegenbelasting): ANG 200–600 depending on engine size. WA insurance: ANG 100–200/month. Comprehensive insurance: ANG 200–500/month.
Registration, Insurance & Tax
Register at the Verkeersdienst (Traffic Department). New vehicles: present import documents, bill of sale, and paid import duty certificate. Transfer of registered vehicle: both parties' IDs, transfer agreement, and current registration document. Annual road tax (wegenbelasting) must be paid to keep registration current.
Third-party liability insurance (WA — Wettelijke Aansprakelijkheid) is mandatory for all registered vehicles. Driving without valid WA insurance: ANG 500–1,000 fine + vehicle impoundment. WA insurance available from ENNIA, Fatum, RBC Insurance, and other local insurers. Monthly cost: ANG 100–200 for basic WA. Comprehensive all-risk insurance strongly recommended for newer vehicles: ANG 200–500/month.
Annual road tax (wegenbelasting) is paid to the Curaçao government as part of annual vehicle registration. Cost: ANG 200–600/year depending on engine size and vehicle category. Non-payment leads to registration lapse.
Vehicle roadworthiness inspection (equivalent to the Dutch APK) is required every 2 years for vehicles over 4 years old. Conducted at approved inspection stations. Cost: approximately ANG 50–100. Vehicles failing inspection must be repaired and retested before the vehicle can be legally driven.
Cycling
Cycling infrastructure in Curaçao is minimal. There are no segregated bike lanes on main roads. The heat (30°C+) and lack of infrastructure make cycling impractical for commuting. Some expats cycle recreationally in the cooler early morning hours along the waterfront and quieter residential roads.
- •Cyclists follow the same traffic laws as vehicles — ride on the right and obey all signals.
- •No cycling on main highways.
- •Helmets are not legally mandatory but are strongly recommended.
- •Lights are required when cycling at night.
- •Cycle only in the early morning (6:00–8:00am) before the heat peaks.
- •Bike rental available from tourist operators near Willemstad: ANG 25–50/day.
- •E-bikes available from some operators for easier hill climbs.
- •Lock your bicycle securely — theft risk is present in urban areas.