Bermuda Car Rentals: What's Allowed and What Isn't

 

 

When I first came to Bermuda, I went looking for a car rental counter at the airport. There wasn't one. Years later, there still isn't one, and there isn't a single conventional car rental company anywhere on the island. No sedans, no hatchbacks, no SUVs, no minivans. If you arrived expecting to pick up keys to a four-door at Avis or Hertz, you are about to change your plans, and that's actually fine, because the alternatives are good. 

 

 

Bermuda's Narrow Winding Road. Photo: Kansasphoto, flickr, cc by 2.0 

 

So why has the Bermuda Government kept it this way? The island is just 21 square miles. Around 63,800 people live here, and in a normal year roughly 600,000 visitors pass through. The roads are narrow, twisty, and lined with stone walls that have been standing for over a century. Households can own only one private car. 

 

If every visiting family was handed an SUV at the airport, the island would seize up in a week. That's the reasoning, and once you drive a Bermuda lane in your own little rental, you start to agree with it. 

 

There are still plenty of ways to get around at your own pace. Some of them are better than a regular rental car would have been. Here is what actually works now. 

 

Can You Rent a Car in Bermuda?

 

You cannot rent a normal four-wheel passenger car as a visitor. That has been the law since the 1940s and it hasn't changed. What you can rent, since the law was amended on April 20, 2017, is a small two-seater electric vehicle that locals call a mini car or microcar. 

 

These have four wheels (sometimes three on older models), a steering wheel, foot pedals, seat belts, and a roof. They look like a car. They handle like a small car. They are limited to two passengers by law, and they top out at the island speed limit of 35 kph (about 22 mph). 

 

If you want a vehicle you steer yourself, the mini car is your only option. If you are open to other ideas, scooters, taxis, buses, ferries, and bicycles all work very well, often better than a car would, and I will walk through each below. 

 

The Mini Car: The Closest Thing to a Car Rental

 

The mini car is what most visitors really mean when they search for a Bermuda car rental. It is a small, all-electric two-seater. After a full charge of about three hours, the better models will run for 70 to 140 km on a single charge, which is more than enough to cover Bermuda from end to end (Bermuda is only 21 miles long). 

 

 

Twizy. Photo: Stephen Gostick 

 

Two companies dominate this market. Current Vehicles operates a fleet of Renault Twizys (tandem seating, one passenger sits behind the other), Citroen Amis, and the newer XEV Yoyo and Yoyo Pro models (side by side, with air conditioning, larger range, and proper enclosed bodies). Their main hub is at the Hamilton Princess and Beach Club in Hamilton, with over 100 Oasis charging points around the island, and the whole booking process runs on their smartphone app. 

 

Bermuda Rental Car, which is the rental arm of Oleander Cycles, runs the Anaig Quick (tandem), the Mini Max (side by side with a sunroof), and the longer-range Bentu. Their main shop is on Valley Road in Paget, with eight pickup locations across the island including Dockyard, Hamilton, St George, and several hotels. 

 

I will not get into pricing, eligibility, and booking step-by-step on this page, because I have covered all of that in detail on a dedicated page. Go through How to rent a mini car in Bermuda for models, current daily rates, insurance, age limits, and which company suits which kind of trip. 

 

Is There a 4-Seater Rental Car in Bermuda?

 

No, and this one trips up a lot of families. Bermuda law caps every personal electric vehicle (PEV) at a maximum of two persons, no matter the make or model. The Twizy, Citroen Ami, Anaig Quick, Tazzari, XEV Yoyo, Mini Max, Bentu, and even the bulkier Hummer HXT all carry the same two-person limit. Children under 14 are not allowed in some of these vehicles. 

 

If you are traveling as a family of four, you cannot split into one mini car. You will need either two mini cars, or you should plan around taxis, buses, and ferries, which work very well for groups. 

 

This is also why scooters in Bermuda only carry a driver and one pillion passenger, never three. 

 

Renting a Car at the Bermuda Airport

 

There is no car rental at L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA). No counters, no kiosks, no rental car center. Search engines often suggest otherwise, but the listings are misleading. The Bermuda Government does not allow rental car companies to operate at the airport. 

 

So how do you get from the airport to wherever you are staying? 

 

Three normal options. You can take a taxi (the most common choice; metered, and usually around $40 to $60 to most hotels depending on parish). You can take the airport shuttle if your hotel runs one. Or you can pre-book a mini car or a scooter to be delivered to your hotel or guesthouse on the day of your arrival; Oleander and a few of the scooter liveries arrange this for guests. You will not be driving away from the terminal yourself. 

 

 

Source: Bermuda L.F. Wade International Airport 

 

If a quick taxi tour from the airport sounds appealing on day one, take a look at my page on Island tours by taxi. 

 

Renting at Kings Wharf / Royal Naval Dockyard (for Cruise Visitors)

 

If you are arriving on a cruise ship, Kings Wharf at the Royal Naval Dockyard is the most convenient place to pick up something to drive. Oleander Cycles / Bermuda Rental Car has a shop at 9 Camber Road in Dockyard, about a 3 to 4 minute walk from the cruise ship ramps. 

 

They are open 8:30 am to 5:30 pm on the days ships are in port, and closed in the off-season when there are none. You can rent the Anaig Quick, Mini Max, or Bentu mini car, or a scooter, right there. 

 

 

 

Current Vehicles also runs Oasis charging points at Dockyard, so if you book through their app you can sometimes pick up a Twizy or Citroen Ami in Dockyard depending on availability. Their primary hub is still Hamilton Princess, so for guaranteed Dockyard pickup, Oleander is the safer bet. 

 

One practical tip if you are doing a day off the ship. A mini car for a single day will cost you $130 to $190 plus insurance, depending on the model, and you will spend much of that day learning to drive on the left rather than seeing the island. For a single cruise day, I usually recommend a guided taxi tour or the ferry to Hamilton instead. For a multi-day cruise visit, a mini car or scooter starts to make better sense. 

 

Renting in Hamilton and Other Locations

 

Hamilton is the easiest place to start a longer mini-car trip. Current Vehicles is headquartered at the Hamilton Princess and Beach Club at 76 Pitts Bay Road, and Oleander has its Hamilton shop at 15 Gorham Road. 

 

Several hotels across the island, including Rosedon, The Loren at Pink Beach, Cambridge Beaches, Grotto Bay, The Reefs, and Pompano Beach Hotel, partner with these rental liveries and let you pick up a vehicle right on the property. If you are staying at one of these hotels, that is almost always the smoothest option. 

 

The Other Ways to Get Around (and When Each One Wins)

 

A mini car is not always the best fit. Here are the other options I find myself recommending, and the kind of traveler each one suits. 

 

Scooter 

If you are confident on a two-wheeler and used to driving on the left, the scooter is still the iconic way to see Bermuda. Outlets exist in Hamilton, Dockyard, Paget, Southampton, St George, and at several hotels. Most companies will deliver to your hotel or meet you at the cruise terminal. 

 

 

Photo: Andrew Currie, CC by SA 3.0 

 

You do not need a driving license to rent a scooter as a visitor, but you must be at least 18 years old. There is a small learning curve, and accident risk is real, so the rental shops give you a short lesson before you ride away. For everything on rental companies, rates, models, and what to watch out for, go through my page on Bermuda Scooter Rentals. 

 

Pedal Bike (Bicycle) 

Locals call regular bicycles pedal bikes. Several rental shops at the Dockyard, Hamilton, and elsewhere offer them. The main roads are not always pleasant for cycling during rush hours, but Bermuda's network of Tribe Roads and the lovely Railway Trail are made for it. Details on rates and rental outlets are on my page about Biking in Bermuda. 

 

Taxi Tour 

If you don't want to drive, this is the option I usually push hardest for first-time visitors. Bermuda taxis are allowed to operate as guided island tours on an hourly rate, and the Blue Flag taxis are driven by certified tour guides who genuinely know the island. The smaller cabs hold up to four passengers, the larger ones up to seven. This is also the best answer for families of four or more who can't fit into a single mini car. See Island tours by taxi. 

 

 

 

Minibus Tour 

Group tours on minibuses are run on per-person rates, and private charters work too if you are a group of six or more. Capacity is up to 15 passengers per minibus. Good for families, friends, and small groups who want zero hassle. More on Minibus tours in Bermuda. 

 

 

Photo: Ricky's Minibus Tours 

 

Public Bus 

The Bermuda public bus service is excellent, air-conditioned, and very affordable. There are 11 routes, all but one originating in Hamilton, reaching virtually every corner of the island. You can buy 1-day, 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, and 7-day transport passes that work on both buses and ferries. Full route and fare details are on my page about the Bus Service. 

 

Bus#3 operating between Hamilton and St. George 

 

Photo: Captain-tucker, cc by-sa 3.0 

 

Public Ferry 

For getting between Dockyard, Hamilton, and St George, the ferry is often faster and far more scenic than any road option. The same multi-day transport passes work on the ferries. See Ferry service in Bermuda for routes and fares. 

 

 

Photo: James Willamor, flickr, cc by-sa 2.0 

 

E-Scooter Rideshare (Whip) 

Bermuda's first e-scooter rideshare service, Whip, launched in 2022 and is now a popular short-hop option for residents and visitors. You download the Whip app, find a parked scooter, scan, and go. It is not really a full-island touring solution, but for short rides around Hamilton, Dockyard, or beach areas, it is convenient. 

 

Walking 

Bermuda is small enough that walking is genuinely useful, especially in Hamilton, the historic town of St George, and along stretches of the Railway Trail. See my notes on Walking Tours of Bermuda and nature trails. 

 

How Do You Decide Which Option Is Right for You?

 

A short rule of thumb that I have given hundreds of readers over the years. 

If you are two people, comfortable behind the wheel, willing to drive on the left at 35 kph, and you want freedom and flexibility for three days or more, rent a mini car. 

If you are a confident scooter or motorbike rider at home, the scooter is cheaper, faster between point A and point B, and gives you the classic Bermuda experience. 

If you are a family of three or more, or traveling with elderly parents, skip the mini car entirely. Use a mix of taxi tours, the public bus, and the ferry. You will see more, spend less stress, and probably not spend much more money than a multi-day mini car rental would have cost. 

If you are on a one-day cruise stop, take the ferry to Hamilton or a guided taxi tour. A mini car or scooter for just one day is rarely worth it. 

If you only want to roam around Hamilton or Dockyard, walk, use a Whip e-scooter, or take a short taxi. You don't need a rental for that. 

 

Driving Rules You Have to Know

 

These apply whether you rent a mini car or a scooter. 

 

Bermuda drives on the left side of the road, with the steering wheel on the right side of the vehicle. This is the British system, the same as the UK, Australia, and Japan. 

 

The maximum speed limit anywhere on the island is 35 kph (about 22 mph). It is enforced. Locals often drive a touch faster, but as a visitor on unfamiliar roads I would stay at or below the posted limit. 

 

To rent a mini car, you need a valid driving license from your home country, and the minimum age set by most rental companies is 21 to 25 depending on the operator. To rent a scooter, you do not need a license, but you must be at least 18. 

 

Helmets are mandatory on scooters, with a zero-tolerance policy on enforcement. The rental company will provide one. 

 

Roads are narrow, often have stone walls hard up against the edge, and have plenty of blind curves. Drive slowly. Don't assume the oncoming driver will give way. 

 

For a complete view of every way to move around the island, including taxis, ferries, buses, and beyond, see my main page on Bermuda Transportation. 

 

Related Articles

 

 

1) Bermuda Transportation: Know about all the transport options in Bermuda 

 

Visitors' Reviews and Comments     Tammy Wallace (July 2018)  Hello, my daughter and I are coming to Bermuda by cruise ship. We would like someone /local to pick us up and drive us to our desired locations for the day. Who or which company would you recommend? Thank you for any information you can provide.    Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) July 2018  Hello, self or chauffeur driven car rentals are not available in Bermuda. Your best option is to take a taxi tour. There are several taxi drivers in the island who are also certified tour guides and are excellent in knowledge and behavior.    Go through the page Island Tours in Taxi where I have discussed such options (also go through the comments given by visitors at the bottom of that page).

 

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