Car hire in Mauritius

Driving in Mauritius: Essential Rules

• Side of the road: Mauritius drives on the left, a legacy of British colonial rule, so hire vehicles are right-hand drive. Overtaking is done on the right, and roundabouts — of which there are many — are navigated clockwise.
• Driving licence and the four-week rule: Visitors can drive in Mauritius on a valid national driving licence for up to four weeks without needing an International Driving Permit, under the Road Traffic Regulations 1954 and Mauritius's recognition of the 1949 Geneva Road Traffic Convention. Beyond four weeks, an IDP or a licence extension through the Traffic Branch of the Mauritius Police Force is required. If your licence is not printed in English or French, carrying an IDP as a translation is worthwhile regardless of how long you are staying, to avoid delays at a road check.
• Alcohol limit: The legal limit is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood (0.05%), and enforcement is strict. Police checkpoints are common, particularly at weekends, and drivers found over the limit can be held in custody until sober in addition to a fine. Carry your rental agreement alongside your driving licence, as checkpoints commonly ask to see both together.
• Mobile phones and seatbelts: Handheld mobile phone use while driving is illegal, seatbelts are compulsory for every occupant, and drivers must stop at zebra crossings to let pedestrians cross.
• Speed enforcement: Mauritius uses a network of fixed roadside speed cameras alongside a growing number of handheld radar checks, often positioned where a limit drops suddenly near a roundabout or village boundary. In January 2026, Mauritius introduced a points-based penalty system for driving offences, with licences facing suspension once points are exhausted — a sign enforcement is being taken increasingly seriously. Always follow the posted roadside sign over any GPS-suggested limit.
• The road network: The M2 motorway is the island's main north–south artery, running from the airport in the south-east up through Port Louis, and is the only road on the island with proper motorway-style exits. The M3 offers a scenic mountain alternative that avoids Port Louis traffic entirely. Away from the M1 to M3 network, most other main roads are single-lane in each direction and move at a similar pace to secondary roads, so budget more time for cross-island journeys than the distance alone suggests. Rural and secondary roads can also be narrower and less evenly surfaced, particularly after heavy rain, so a compact or standard car is usually the easiest choice unless you are planning to explore more remote inland routes.
• Minimum rental age and licence experience: Most suppliers set a minimum rental age of 21, with a valid licence held for at least one year, though this can run to 23 at some suppliers and vehicle categories. Drivers aged 21 to 25 should expect a young driver surcharge, and a handful of suppliers apply upper age limits for senior drivers, typically from 70 to 75. Requirements vary by supplier, so check the specific terms shown at booking.
• Peak traffic: Congestion builds around Port Louis, Quatre Bornes, and Curepipe on weekday mornings from roughly 7:30 to 9:30am and afternoons from around 3:30 to 6pm. Scheduling pick-up, drop-off, or any airport transfer outside these windows avoids the worst of it.
• Parking: Free parking is widely available at beaches, hotels, and most businesses outside the main towns. In Port Louis, Quatre Bornes, and Curepipe, street parking commonly uses a paper coupon system — booklets are sold at petrol stations and displayed on the dashboard to show your paid time, rather than a meter or app.
• Refuelling: Petrol stations operated by brands including Total, Shell, Engen, and Indian Oil are found across the island, though not all run 24 hours — most operate from around 6am to somewhere between 8pm and 10pm. Stations thin out in more remote areas, so refuel once the tank drops to around half rather than waiting until it is low.
• Cyclone season: The cyclone season runs roughly January to March, when heavy rain can affect road conditions and, in more severe warnings, close roads temporarily. The drier season from May to December is both the easier driving window and the more popular time to visit, so book ahead if travelling then.

Mauritius Car Hire Insurance

Every car hire listed on eCarBookers in Mauritius includes the supplier's standard collision damage waiver (CDW) in the basic rate. Standard CDW carries an excess — the amount you would be responsible for in the event of damage. Excess amounts vary by supplier and vehicle class, and the exact figure is displayed clearly before you confirm your booking, so there are no surprises at the desk.

If you prefer to drive with no excess at all, fully comprehensive zero-excess cover is available directly from your supplier when you collect the car. The cover comes from the hire company itself, not from a third-party insurer — so once added, there is no separate policy, no paying the excess upfront, and no reimbursement claim to file. Because your booking confirmation shows the standard excess that applies, you arrive knowing exactly what the cover replaces.

It is worth noting that certain situations fall outside standard CDW cover across the car hire industry. Tyres, glass, underbody damage, lost or damaged keys, and a flat battery caused by driver error — such as leaving the lights on while the vehicle is unattended — are typically not covered and may result in a separate charge if they occur. These situations are uncommon in everyday driving, but it is good practice to check your booking confirmation for the specific cover terms applicable to your hire, as scope can vary by supplier.

Popular Car Hire Locations

Mauritius's main pick-up points sit at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in the south-east, where most visitors arrive, and at its largest towns and coastal resort areas, including:

• Port Louis
• Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport
• Grand Baie
• Flic en Flac
• Belle Mare
• Quatre Bornes