Driving in Jersey
Whether you are hiring a car or bringing your own, you will find all the info you need about driving in Jersey on this page.
Jersey Roads
Jersey might be small but it has a surprising 350 miles (563 km) of roads.
Driving in Jersey does present some challenges. Country lanes can be narrow and twisty, sometimes without enough space for cars to pass, and harmless looking banks can hide rough granite walls that won't do much to improve your paintwork. It is surprisingly easy to get lost - signposts are not always there when you need them. At least the small size of the Island means you probably won't stay lost for too long.
There are no motorways in Jersey and only one short stretch of dual carriageway.
Road Markings and Rules of the Road
The Highway Code for driving in Jersey is similar to the UK one, but there are a few important differences you need to know.
We drive on the left, as in the UK.
Traffic lights have a slightly different sequence here. After red, the lights go directly to green.
When you come to a yellow line at a junction you must stop and give way.
It is an offence to hold a mobile phone while driving.
Drivers and adult front-seat passengers must wear a seatbelt. Children below the age of 14 must wear seatbelts or suitable child restraints in the front or the back of the car.
Yellow lines along the side of the road mean no parking is allowed at any time. You are allowed to stop briefly to let a passenger in or out, or to load or unload heavy items.
Driving in Jersey you will come across some junctions which have 'Filter in turn' signs. At these junctions, drivers must take turns.
Licences and Insurance
For driving in Jersey you need a valid driving licence or International Driving Permit. UK International driving Permits are NOT valid. You should bring your licence with you, not a photocopy.
If you are bringing your own car you must also have a Certificate of Insurance or an International Green Card. Your car must have a nationality plate on the back.
You must be 17 to drive in Jersey, but most hire car companies won't let you drive unless you are at least 20 and have held a full licence for a year.
Speed Limits
With a top speed limit of 40 mph (64 km/h) Jersey is not the place to test out the capabilities of the new sports car you have hired! Although there are no fixed speed cameras yet, there are few stretches of road that lend themselves to higher speeds - and they are all favorite spots for the police to use hand-held cameras. Another deterrent for speeding is that with the combined system of uniformed States Police and the non-uniformed Honorary Police, you can't be sure if the ordinary looking car behind you holds a police officer.
Many roads have lower speed limits. Built-up areas are generally 30mph (48km/h) and some have 20 mph (32 km/h) limits. Speed limits are generally clearly signed. The Green Lane network is designed to give priority to pedestrians, cyclists and horse-riders with a speed limit of 15mph (24km/h), and is best avoided if you are driving.
There are no on-the-spot fines for speeding in Jersey. If you are stopped, you will have to produce your licence and insurance details, and may be asked to report to a Centenier (Honorary police officer) in the Parish where you were stopped. The Centenier can fine you or, in more serious cases, charge you, in which case you will be required to attend the Magistrate's Court where you can be fined, disqualified or have your licence endorsed.
Drinking and Driving
Drink driving is taken seriously in Jersey, with penalties of up £2,000 in fines, 6 months in prison and unlimited disqualification for a first offence.
The legal limit for driving in Jersey is 80mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. It is also an offence to drive under the influence of drugs.
Drink driving checks are carried out throughout the year. These usually take the form of roadside checks carried out by the Honorary Police force.
If you are going out for the evening and plan to drink, better to book a taxi.
If you have taken your car and realise that you may be over the limit for driving back, there are services available that provide a driver to take you and your vehicle back to your accomodation.
If you have an accident
If the worst happens and you have an accident, you need to know what to do.
You must stop - it is an offence not to.
You must contact the police if there is any damage to your vehicle, another vehicle or property, any person or animal - even if your vehicle is the only one involved. They will advise you what to do next.
For accidents and emergencies you can contact the police by dialing 999 or 112. If it isn't an emergency, the contact number for Police Headquarters is 612612.
You must exchange personal details and details of your insurance cover if required.
Get tips for parking in Jersey here.
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