Car rental in Mauritius gives you access to the whole island from your hotel: beaches on the different coasts, Chamarel, the Black River Gorges, gardens and markets. You usually pick it up at the airport, where twelve rental companies have a desk on level 0. Driving is on the left, as in the UK, with a zero-tolerance approach to drink-driving, according to the UK FCDO and the U.S. Department of State; US visitors need to check licence rules carefully.
This page draws on UK and US government travel advice and on the airport website, and gives no prices: they vary with the season and the rental company. To plan your stay, see our Mauritius travel guide and when to go to Mauritius.
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Car rental in Mauritius: key facts
- Side of the road: left (UK FCDO; U.S. Department of State).
- Licence: UK photocard licence accepted (UK FCDO); a valid U.S. driver’s license is required (U.S. Department of State). Rental companies may ask for more, such as an International Driving Permit (IDP).
- Alcohol: zero tolerance (U.S. Department of State, drink-driving law since 2018); penalties can apply even at very low levels (UK FCDO).
- Airport: 12 desks on level 0 (Car Rental Booth).
- Emergencies: police 999 (UK FCDO; U.S. Department of State).
Should you rent a car in Mauritius?
It depends on how you travel. Many stays in Mauritius are spent in a beachfront hotel with a few organised excursions: in that case a car is not essential, and taxis or day drivers are enough. The U.S. Department of State says public and private buses run between main towns from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and in remote areas until 6:00 p.m., and advises booking taxis in advance if travelling at night (Uber is not available in Mauritius). A car becomes worthwhile if you want to:
- visit the south-west (Chamarel, the Black River Gorges, Le Morne) and the east without depending on a tour;
- change beaches according to the wind and weather, which vary from one coast to another;
- stay in a villa or apartment outside the hotel areas;
- travel as a family and keep control of your timetable.
As elsewhere, a flexible option is to rent only for a few days in the middle of your stay.
Licence, age and documents
UK citizens (UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 19 October 2026): you can use a UK photocard driving licence in Mauritius and must carry it when driving; if you still have a paper licence, you may need to update it to a photocard. The FCDO adds that hire car companies often have stricter requirements, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP. US citizens (travel.state.gov, last updated December 08, 2025): a valid U.S. driver’s license is required; for more information the State Department points to the Mauritius Police Force Traffic Branch. Because rental companies set their own rules, confirm with yours before you travel whether you also need an IDP.
Minimum age, years of licence held and any « young driver » fees are set by each rental company: read them before you pay. Bring a card in the main driver’s name for the security deposit. For entry rules, see the entry requirements in our Mauritius travel guide.
Driving rules in Mauritius
| Rule | What the official advice says |
|---|---|
| Side of the road | Left-hand traffic is standard, as in the UK (UK FCDO); drive on the left (U.S. Department of State) |
| Licence | UK photocard licence accepted and must be carried (UK FCDO); a valid U.S. driver’s license is required (U.S. Department of State) |
| Seat belts, helmets, phone | Drivers and all passengers must wear seat belts; motorcycle drivers and passengers must wear helmets; babies and toddlers must be in child seats; using a phone while driving is illegal (U.S. Department of State) |
| Alcohol | Zero-tolerance drink-driving law since 2018 (U.S. Department of State); penalties even at very low levels, a quarter of England’s legal limit, can include fines or imprisonment (UK FCDO) |
| After an accident | Carry yellow chalk or another yellow indelible marker to mark the position and registration number of your vehicle on the road before moving it off the road where possible (UK FCDO) |
| Emergencies | Police 999 or 112; ambulance 999 or 114; fire 999 or 115 (UK FCDO) |
- Driving on the left: you overtake on the right and turn right across traffic. At roundabouts, traffic goes clockwise. An automatic gearbox makes the adjustment much easier.
- Alcohol: do not drink at all if you are driving.
- Insurance: every vehicle must be insured; the rental company insures the hire car, but check what is included.
Driving in Mauritius: the real difficulties
The U.S. Department of State says most roads are narrow and uneven, lack guardrails and are bordered by deep ditches, and that night driving is hazardous because of poor street lighting, narrow roads and cyclists riding without lights. The UK FCDO adds that accidents are common, motorbikes are slow and often do not use headlights at night, and some roads are narrow without pavements, with pedestrians and cyclists often using main roads, including motorways. In practice:
- Lighting and road conditions are poor on some roads: drive in daylight as much as possible and prepare your route.
- Pedestrians and cyclists can appear on the carriageway, especially in villages and at night.
- The first kilometres on the left are the trickiest: when leaving the airport, take time to adjust seats and mirrors and beware of reflexes (indicator and wiper controls are often reversed on right-hand-drive cars).
Where to pick up your rental car
At the international airport (SSR)
| Desks | Rental companies listed by the airport |
|---|---|
| 01 to 04 | Hertz, Sixt, Dollar Thrifty Car Rental, First Car Rental |
| 05 to 08 | Europcar, Pingouin Car Rental, Budget Car Rental, Avis |
| 09 to 12 | OLA Car Rental, AKD Car Rental, Royal Car Rental, Race Car Rental |
If your rental company is not on this list, it will probably meet you in the hall or the car park: have the meeting point and a reachable phone number confirmed, especially for an early-morning arrival. Some companies also deliver the vehicle to your hotel.
In case of an accident
Call the police on 999. The U.S. Department of State says that when no injury has occurred, motorists may exchange information and report details to the authorities, and that foreigners should remain at the scene and request the assistance of local law enforcement. The UK FCDO says drivers are expected to carry yellow chalk or another yellow indelible marker to mark the position and registration number of their vehicle on the road before moving it where possible. Also tell the rental company straight away, and your own insurer when you get home.
Insurance and excess: what you need to understand
Every rental includes the compulsory third-party liability insurance. Damage to the vehicle and theft are covered by waivers (often called CDW, theft protection or similar) that come with an excess, known in the US as a deductible: the amount you pay if there is a claim. The rental company usually blocks a security deposit on a card in the main driver’s name. Ask exactly what is included: depending on the company, the damage waiver may be optional and not included in the base price.
There are three options: accept the excess, buy it back at the desk, or take out separate « excess cover » from a third party (you then pay first and claim the money back). Some bank cards include rental cover: read the terms, because exclusions (windows, tyres, underbody, unpaved tracks) are common. Our travel insurance guide explains the differences.
Pick-up and return checklist
- Photograph or film the vehicle from every angle, including wheels, windscreen and roof, with the agent present if possible.
- Have every scratch or dent, however small, noted on the condition report.
- Check the fuel level and the fuel policy written in the contract.
- Check that there is a spare wheel and that it is in good condition, as well as the brakes, wipers and lights.
- Have the controls (indicators, wipers) shown to you before leaving, as the car is right-hand drive.
- On return, have the return condition report signed; if the office is closed, photograph the parked car, the odometer and the fuel gauge.
- Keep the contract, photos and receipts until the security deposit is fully refunded: fines can arrive after your stay, via the rental company.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Having « just one drink »: Mauritius has a zero-tolerance drink-driving law (U.S. Department of State).
- Assuming your home licence is enough for the rental desk: the company may ask for an IDP or a year of driving experience (UK FCDO).
- Taking a manual gearbox without ever having driven on the left.
- Driving at night on poorly lit small roads.
- Moving the car after an accident without marking its position (UK FCDO) or leaving the scene when you have been involved in an injury accident (U.S. Department of State).
- Confusing the excess with the security deposit: the deposit is blocked even without a claim.
Booking your car rental in Mauritius
You can book directly with a rental company present at the airport or go through a comparison site, which shows several offers at once. Either way, compare the actual rental company (the one that will hand you the keys), the location of the desk (in the terminal or by shuttle), the amount of the excess and deposit, the mileage allowance, the fuel policy, additional-driver or young-driver fees, and the cancellation terms.
If you are torn with the neighbouring island, our comparison Mauritius or Réunion compares the two destinations.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drive in Mauritius with a UK or US licence?
UK citizens can use a UK photocard driving licence (UK FCDO). The U.S. Department of State says a valid U.S. driver’s license is required. Rental companies may add their own conditions, such as an IDP, a minimum age or a year of driving experience, so check with yours.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Mauritius?
On the left, as in the UK.
Can you have a drink before driving in Mauritius?
No. The U.S. Department of State describes a zero-tolerance drink-driving law, and the UK FCDO says penalties can apply even at very low levels.
Which rental companies are at Mauritius airport?
The airport lists twelve desks on level 0: Hertz, Sixt, Dollar Thrifty, First Car Rental, Europcar, Pingouin, Budget, Avis, OLA, AKD, Royal and Race.
What number do you call after an accident?
The police on 999 (UK FCDO and U.S. Department of State).
Is it safe to drive in Mauritius at night?
Both governments warn about it: the U.S. Department of State calls night driving hazardous on country roads because of poor lighting and cyclists without lights, and the UK FCDO notes that motorbikes often do not use headlights.
Our sources
- Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (Airports of Mauritius), « Hire a car » page, consulted 27 October 2026.
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Mauritius (GOV.UK, updated 19 October 2026), read 26 October 2026.
- U.S. Department of State, Mauritius country information (travel.state.gov, last updated December 08, 2025), read 26 October 2026.
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
Rules, lists of rental companies and conditions may change: check the official websites before you travel.