Driving in Mauritius is on the left. This may be a change for tourists from nations where driving is on the right, a remnant of British colonial authority.
Mauritius’ roads are in good shape and clearly marked, yet traffic can be intense in urban and tourist regions. Locals drive at relatively high speeds and may not always observe traffic lights or stop signs, so stay vigilant and cautious.
Mauritius also employs roundabouts instead of traffic lights, so it’s crucial to know how these function before you go.
Driving Licence in Mauritius
For the first four weeks in Mauritius, you can drive using your home country’s licence. If the licence does not include Latin characters, an official translation is required.
After four weeks, you will be required to use an International Driving Permit (IDP) granted by your country. The International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that translates a driving licence into various languages. It is recognised in over 150 countries worldwide, including Mauritius.
If you do not have an international driving licence, you can request a four-week extension from the Mauritius Police Traffic Department.
Once you become a permanent resident, you must apply for a Mauritian driver’s licence in order to drive a vehicle. You must always carry your driving licence with you while driving.
Speed limit
Typical speed limits in Mauritius are:
- Urban areas: 40 km/h
- Main road: 80 km/h
- Highway: 110 km/h, 80 km/h zone.
It is crucial to note that these are general speed limits; and that specific locations may have specific speed limits.
Pedestrian crossings
Crossings are generally not very respected in Mauritius. Pedestrians will want to make sure cars are actually slowing down before crossing the road. It is important that foreign drivers do not stop too quickly at crosswalks and pose a risk to following vehicles.
It is important to note that these are general speed limits and that specific locations may have specific speed limits. More information about speeding and road safety can be found on the Mauritius Police website. https://police.govmu.org/police.
Additional information for driving in Mauritius
You can find more useful information on the International Drivers’ Association Mauritius Driving Guide page.