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Country driving guide · 2026

Driving in Mauritius

Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Mauritius: 7 legal requirements + 7 other things worth knowing.

7

Required

3

Recommended

4

Good to know

Tick before you go

Pre-departure checklist for Mauritius

7 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.

  • Drive on the LEFT

    Mauritius drives on the left, same as the UK: a relief for British visitors and a watch-out for EU drivers used to right-hand traffic.

  • Full national licence + IDP recommended

    UK and EU photocard licences are accepted for stays up to 4 weeks; for longer rentals or to avoid hassle at police checks, carry a 1949 International Driving Permit alongside your licence.

  • Passport with 6 months validity

    Visitors need a passport valid for the duration of stay; UK and EU nationals get a free 60-day visa on arrival, plus proof of onward travel and accommodation.

  • Rental insurance: CDW + theft cover

    Third-party insurance is included with rentals by law; take the Collision Damage Waiver and theft protection top-up as excess is typically MUR 30,000–60,000 (EUR 600–1,200).

  • Speed limits 110 / 80 / 40 km/h

    Motorway (M1/M2/M3) 110 km/h, open road 80 km/h, urban areas 40 km/h: speed cameras are common around Port Louis and Curepipe.

  • BAC limit 0.05% (0.5 g/L)

    Random breath tests are routine, especially at weekends; penalties include heavy fines and licence suspension, and zero tolerance applies to new drivers.

  • Seatbelts front and rear, no phones

    Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants and handheld phone use while driving carries an on-the-spot fine of around MUR 2,500 (EUR 50).

Driving rules

Drive on the LEFT

Required

Mauritius drives on the left, same as the UK: a relief for British visitors and a watch-out for EU drivers used to right-hand traffic.

Speed limits 110 / 80 / 40 km/h

Required

Motorway (M1/M2/M3) 110 km/h, open road 80 km/h, urban areas 40 km/h: speed cameras are common around Port Louis and Curepipe.

BAC limit 0.05% (0.5 g/L)

Required

Random breath tests are routine, especially at weekends; penalties include heavy fines and licence suspension, and zero tolerance applies to new drivers.

Seatbelts front and rear, no phones

Required

Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants and handheld phone use while driving carries an on-the-spot fine of around MUR 2,500 (EUR 50).

Stray dogs, narrow rural roads, aggressive bus drivers

Recommended

Watch for stray dogs, pedestrians and scooters without lights at night; rural roads are narrow with deep verges and local bus drivers are notoriously assertive.

Emergency number 999 or 112

Good to know

Dial 999 for police or 114 for ambulance; 112 also works from mobiles. Police checkpoints are routine. Keep licence, IDP and rental papers to hand.

Documents

Full national licence + IDP recommended

Required

UK and EU photocard licences are accepted for stays up to 4 weeks; for longer rentals or to avoid hassle at police checks, carry a 1949 International Driving Permit alongside your licence.

Passport with 6 months validity

Required

Visitors need a passport valid for the duration of stay; UK and EU nationals get a free 60-day visa on arrival, plus proof of onward travel and accommodation.

Rental insurance: CDW + theft cover

Required

Third-party insurance is included with rentals by law; take the Collision Damage Waiver and theft protection top-up as excess is typically MUR 30,000–60,000 (EUR 600–1,200).

Tolls

No toll roads or vignette

Good to know

Mauritius has no motorway tolls, no vignette sticker and no electronic toll system: the M1/M2/M3 are free to use.

Money

Currency MUR, fuel ~EUR 1.40/L

Good to know

Currency is the Mauritian rupee (MUR); petrol costs roughly MUR 75/litre (EUR 1.40) and diesel MUR 55/litre (EUR 1.05) as of 2026, with cards accepted at most stations but cash useful at rural pumps.

Cash declaration over MUR 500,000

Good to know

Amounts equivalent to MUR 500,000 (around EUR 10,000) or more must be declared at customs on arrival and departure.

Environment

Cyclone season Nov–April

Recommended

Tropical cyclones and flash floods are common from November to April; avoid driving during red weather warnings as roads in coastal and mountain areas (e.g. Black River Gorges) can become impassable.

Required equipment

No mandatory in-car kit

Recommended

There is no legal requirement to carry a hi-vis vest, warning triangle or first aid kit, but rentals typically include a triangle and spare tyre: verify before driving off.

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Popular destinations in Mauritius

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Don't get caught out

Watch out for these

Drive on the LEFT

Required

Mauritius drives on the left, same as the UK: a relief for British visitors and a watch-out for EU drivers used to right-hand traffic.

Speed limits 110 / 80 / 40 km/h

Required

Motorway (M1/M2/M3) 110 km/h, open road 80 km/h, urban areas 40 km/h: speed cameras are common around Port Louis and Curepipe.

BAC limit 0.05% (0.5 g/L)

Required

Random breath tests are routine, especially at weekends; penalties include heavy fines and licence suspension, and zero tolerance applies to new drivers.

Seatbelts front and rear, no phones

Required

Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants and handheld phone use while driving carries an on-the-spot fine of around MUR 2,500 (EUR 50).