Transport > Car Travel > Driving in the Cook Islands

Driving in the Cook Islands

If you don't want to rely on Rarotonga's limited bus service or be confined to a resort area, then you really need your own set of wheels in the Cook Islands.

The big rental car companies are based in Rarotonga although you're much more limited in the other islands. Because all the islands are so small, most people prefer to rent a small motorcycle rather than a car. Motorscooters are reasonably cheap and easy to ride.

Road rules are fairly relaxed. You drive on the left and nobody wears helmets when they're riding a bike, although it isn't really that dangerous since the maximum speed limit is only 40km/h. You should keep an eye out for wild chickens, though.

Everyone needs to have a local Cook Islands drivers licence. Your home licence or even an international licence is no good in the Cooks. Getting a local licence is is a reasonably simple and laid back process, you can even ride your rental bike to the police station for the test.

A Cook Islands' drivers licence costs NZ$10 and it makes a good souvenir. In Rarotonga you need to get your licence from police headquarters in Avarua. If your home licence doesn't permit you to ride a motorbike, you will need to bring your rental bike to do a quick test - as long as you can ride your bike up the street and back again without falling off you'll be alright.

If you're going to the other islands, it's a good idea to get your licence in Rarotonga first - it can be difficult finding a police officer in the other islands to issue you with one. Besides, a Rarotonga-issued licence is a nice laminated one and much better than the piece of paper that you would be issued with in the outer islands.

Driving: Cook Islands | Fiji | French Polynesia | Hawaii | New Caledonia | New Zealand