For driving in American Samoa, foreign visitors must have valid driver licenses and International driving permits. A nonresident who are 18 years of age and has a valid driver license issued to him by another country may operate a vehicle in American Samoa for a period not to exceed 30 days.

The main road traffic rules:

• Driving is on the left-hand side of the road.
• Passing vehicle is on the right.
• Minimum driving age is 16 years.
• The speed limit is 15 mph in the built-up areas and 25 mph on the open road.
• To wear seat belts when driving is mandatory.
• Children under 3 years of age must be transported in the special child seats approved by the US Department of Transportation. Children who are from three to four years of age must be restrained in a child passenger restraint system approved by the US Department of Transportation or restrained by a seat belt assembly.
• Using mobile phones while driving is not permitted; the exception is the cell phones with hands-free device.
• When two vehicles enter an unregulated intersection from different highways at the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the right must yield the right-of-way to the driver of the vehicle on the left.
• After having stopped at a stop sign, a driver must yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which has entered the intersection from another highway or which is approaching so closely on the highway as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time of moving across or within the intersection.
• Drivers, who are going to turn right, must yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.
• Vehicles meeting a school bus which has stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging school children must stop before reaching the school bus. Drivers may not proceed until the visual signals are turned off.
• It is not permitted to stop or park any vehicle, or leave it standing, in front of a fire station or within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
• It is not permitted to park a vehicle in a space designated for vehicles of disabled persons.
• It is not permitted to drive any vehicle upon a sidewalk or sidewalk area except upon a permanent, or duly authorized temporary, driveway.
• The driver of any motor vehicle, when traveling on a down grade, may not coast with the gears or transmission of such vehicle in neutral.
• It is not permitted to throw any road, street, or highway any garbage whether or not likely to injure any person, animal, or vehicle.
• The legal blood alcohol level is 0.08%.

Additional information:

• Traffic signs are the same as in the United States of America.
• To rent a car, a driver must be 25 years of age and has held a driver license at least for one year.
• Whilst driving, drivers must carry their valid driver licenses, car registration documents and insurance documents.
• In the American Samoa, there are not toll roads.
• A four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended for travel on secondary roads as they are predominantly dirt and gravel roads.
• Night driving can be dangerous and should be avoid since poor and deteriorating road conditions.
• Roads often traverse small streams; drivers should never enter their cars into a stream if the roadbed is not visible.
• Preferential right-of-way at an intersection may be indicated by stop signs or yield signs.
• The police phone number 911.
  

 Driving Overseas - Short Information