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Country driving guide · 2026

Driving in Seychelles

Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Seychelles: 6 legal requirements + 9 other things worth knowing.

6

Required

3

Recommended

6

Good to know

Tick before you go

Pre-departure checklist for Seychelles

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

  • Drive on the LEFT

    Traffic drives on the left, same as the UK: a relief for British visitors but a switch for EU drivers used to right-hand traffic.

  • Full driving licence + passport

    Carry your full UK or EU photocard licence plus passport at all times when driving; provisional licences are not accepted.

  • Minimum age 22 for hire

    Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 22 (sometimes 25) and to have held a licence for 2+ years; third-party insurance is included in rental rates.

  • Speed limits 65 / 80 km/h

    Urban areas 40 km/h, open roads outside towns 65 km/h, and the Mahe east coast dual carriageway 80 km/h. There are no motorways.

  • BAC alcohol limit 0.08 g/L

    Blood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/100ml (same as England) and random breath tests are common, especially near Victoria and Beau Vallon at weekends.

  • Seatbelts and no handheld phone

    Seatbelts compulsory front and rear; using a handheld mobile while driving carries an on-the-spot fine of around SCR 1,000.

Driving rules

Drive on the LEFT

Required

Traffic drives on the left, same as the UK: a relief for British visitors but a switch for EU drivers used to right-hand traffic.

Speed limits 65 / 80 km/h

Required

Urban areas 40 km/h, open roads outside towns 65 km/h, and the Mahe east coast dual carriageway 80 km/h. There are no motorways.

BAC alcohol limit 0.08 g/L

Required

Blood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/100ml (same as England) and random breath tests are common, especially near Victoria and Beau Vallon at weekends.

Seatbelts and no handheld phone

Required

Seatbelts compulsory front and rear; using a handheld mobile while driving carries an on-the-spot fine of around SCR 1,000.

Watch for pedestrians and tortoises

Good to know

Roads have no pavements in many areas so locals walk on the carriageway, and giant tortoises occasionally cross rural roads on Praslin and Curieuse: slow right down.

Documents

Full driving licence + passport

Required

Carry your full UK or EU photocard licence plus passport at all times when driving; provisional licences are not accepted.

1949 IDP useful for car hire

Recommended

An International Driving Permit (1949 Geneva convention) is not legally required for stays under 90 days but some rental firms ask for one: get it from the Post Office for GBP 5.50.

Minimum age 22 for hire

Required

Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 22 (sometimes 25) and to have held a licence for 2+ years; third-party insurance is included in rental rates.

Emergency number 999

Good to know

Dial 999 for police, ambulance or fire; the tourist police hotline in Victoria is +248 4288000 for non-urgent help with accidents or theft.

Vignette

No vignette or tolls

Good to know

Seychelles has no motorway sticker, e-vignette or toll roads: roads are free to use throughout Mahe, Praslin and La Digue.

Environment

Narrow, twisty mountain roads

Recommended

Inland roads on Mahe (Sans Souci, Montagne Posee) are steep, single-lane and prone to landslides in the NW monsoon (Nov-Mar): drive slowly and use low gears.

La Digue is bicycle-only effectively

Good to know

Only a handful of taxis and electric buggies operate on La Digue; visitors get around by bicycle or on foot, no self-drive hire available.

Money

Currency SCR; fuel ~EUR 1.40/L

Good to know

Local currency is the Seychelles rupee (SCR); unleaded petrol is around SCR 22-24 per litre (approx EUR 1.40), paid in cash or by card at most stations.

Cash declaration over USD 10,000

Good to know

Amounts equivalent to USD 10,000 or more must be declared to Customs on arrival; tourist payments in shops and restaurants are usually quoted in SCR but cards are widely accepted.

Required equipment

No mandatory in-car kit

Recommended

There is no legal requirement for warning triangle, hi-vis vest or first-aid kit, but rental cars usually carry a spare tyre and jack. Check before leaving the depot.

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Don't get caught out

Watch out for these

Drive on the LEFT

Required

Traffic drives on the left, same as the UK: a relief for British visitors but a switch for EU drivers used to right-hand traffic.

Speed limits 65 / 80 km/h

Required

Urban areas 40 km/h, open roads outside towns 65 km/h, and the Mahe east coast dual carriageway 80 km/h. There are no motorways.

BAC alcohol limit 0.08 g/L

Required

Blood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/100ml (same as England) and random breath tests are common, especially near Victoria and Beau Vallon at weekends.

Seatbelts and no handheld phone

Required

Seatbelts compulsory front and rear; using a handheld mobile while driving carries an on-the-spot fine of around SCR 1,000.