{"id":3084,"date":"2026-08-18T15:37:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T11:37:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mj-developpement.mu\/?p=3084"},"modified":"2026-08-18T15:40:32","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T11:40:32","slug":"car-hire-mauritius","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mj-developpement.mu\/en\/blog\/car-hire-mauritius\/","title":{"rendered":"Hiring a car in Mauritius, what you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hiring a car is often the best way to explore Mauritius at your own pace, from the northern beaches to the trails of the south-west.<\/p>\n

MJ D\u00e9veloppement Maurice, a property developer<\/a>, sets out the hire conditions, the licence required and the rules of driving on the left, inherited from British rule.<\/p>\n

This article covers the essentials before you take the wheel<\/strong>: minimum age, documents to produce, road safety and routes to explore once you have the keys.<\/p>\n

Key facts at a glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Criterion<\/th>\nWhat to remember<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Driving side<\/td>\nOn the left, steering wheel on the right<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Licence<\/td>\nA national EU licence is enough for stays under four weeks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Minimum age<\/td>\n18, with a licence held for at least one year<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Speed limit in built-up areas<\/td>\n40 to 60 km\/h<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Speed limit on motorways<\/td>\n110 km\/h<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Payment<\/td>\nCredit card in the driver\u2019s name required<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Driving licence and hire conditions<\/h2>\n

To hire a car in Mauritius<\/strong>, a national European driving licence<\/strong> is enough for a stay of less than four weeks, with no international permit needed.<\/p>\n

Beyond that, an international driving permit is recommended. It is free but can take time to obtain, up to six months. Hire companies usually require a minimum age of 18<\/strong> and a licence held for at least a year, though some agencies raise that threshold to 25 or 26, or apply a surcharge for younger drivers.<\/p>\n

A credit card in the driver\u2019s name is also essential when collecting the vehicle, with a security deposit<\/strong> held for the duration of the hire.<\/p>\n

Driving on the left: safety and the road network<\/h2>\n

Mauritius, a former British colony, drives on the left<\/strong>, with the steering wheel on the right.<\/p>\n

\"Coastal<\/p>\n

Speed limits are 40 or 60 km\/h<\/strong> in built-up areas, 80 km\/h<\/strong> on main roads and 110 km\/h<\/strong> on the island\u2019s two toll-free motorways.<\/p>\n

The road network is broadly in good condition<\/strong> on the main routes, with narrower, winding roads in the south and in mountainous areas.<\/p>\n

Extra care is needed<\/strong> at rush hour, between 7.30am and 9.30am and again from 3pm to 6pm, and after dark, as some stretches are poorly lit.<\/p>\n

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\u201cDriving on the left throws our clients for the first few kilometres, then it becomes second nature. The real thing to watch is rush hour around Port-Louis, best avoided on a first drive,\u201d says Micha\u00ebl Ruel, President of MJ D\u00e9veloppement.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Hiring for a long stay or a relocation<\/h2>\n

If you plan to settle in Mauritius<\/a> for several months, it is worth arranging an international driving permit<\/strong> from the outset, since a national licence alone will not cover you beyond four weeks.<\/p>\n

Transport is part of a wider set of questions around moving to Mauritius<\/a>, between long-term hire and buying a used vehicle, which often works out cheaper than renewing a hire month after month.<\/p>\n

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Good to know: on rural roads, especially after dark, stray animals cross without warning and two-wheelers ride with less caution. Slowing down in poorly lit areas and anticipating right-of-way rules, which apply in Mauritius, avoids most awkward situations at the wheel.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Places to discover with a hire car in Mauritius<\/h2>\n

Once you have the keys, several routes<\/strong> are worth the detour across all four corners of the island:<\/p>\n