Suzuki Brezza
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Driving in the Seychelles
You drive on the left, on narrow roads, and a hire car stays on its island: collect a second one on Praslin. Bring your own licence and ask the rental desk whether it also wants an International Driving Permit.
Key points
- Traffic keeps to the left. Mahé's roads are narrow and winding, often with hairpin bends, sheer drops and open drains beside the carriageway.
- The UK government says a UK photocard licence can be used for 3 months; the Canadian government asks visitors for a licence and an International Driving Permit. Hire companies can ask for more.
- Plan a separate hire car on each island: a rental car leaves its island only with the supplier's written permission.
- Sudden downpours and potholes after rain are the everyday hazard; keep valuables out of sight in a parked car.
Will you need a car?
It depends on your plans. A car is worth having if you want to reach several beaches in a day, because buses run infrequently on some routes and most stop after 8 pm, according to the UK government's travel advice.
If your hotel sits on a beach where you plan to stay put, buses and taxis cover the odd outing; the same advice calls taxis generally of a good standard and says to agree the fare first if a taxi has no meter.
A car pays off most along the coast away from Victoria, where villas and guesthouses are spread out. On Mahé you can collect it at the airport or have it brought to your hotel. On Praslin it is brought to you at the jetty, the airstrip or your guesthouse.
Which licence should you bring?
The answer depends on where your licence was issued, and a rental desk is often stricter than the law.
Can I drive with a UK licence?
The UK government says a UK photocard licence can be used in the Seychelles for 3 months. If you still carry the paper version, you may need to swap it for a photocard or take a 1968 International Driving Permit as well.
Can I drive with a US or an Indian licence?
Carry your home licence and an International Driving Permit, as the Canadian government advises its own visitors, and ask the hire desk to confirm in writing which licences it accepts before you pay.
A visitor's permit comes from home: the Seychelles Licensing Authority issues its own International Driving Permit only to people who already hold a Seychelles licence, and a local licence for non-residents needs a valid foreign licence and a Government Occupancy Permit.
| What to bring | Why |
|---|---|
| Your original driving licence, valid for the whole rental | The desk checks the original; a photo or scan is not the licence. |
| An International Driving Permit, if you are advised to carry one or your hire company asks for it | Canada and the UK government name it, and hire companies can require it. |
| Your passport and the booking confirmation | The hand-over form is filled in from them. |
| Every driver named on the rental agreement | A person who is not on the agreement may not be covered. |
Where should you drive first?
Start with the coast near your base: car hire in Victoria and car hire at the airport cover Mahé, and car hire on Praslin covers the second island. Our Seychelles road trip guide plans the island-by-island route and the crossing in full.
What are Mahé's roads like?
Mahé is mountainous, and its roads are slow and winding, with sheer drops and hairpin bends; not every one has a barrier, according to the UK government. The Canadian government calls them generally well maintained but narrow, with animals, pedestrians and cyclists on the road and poor lighting in places.
Spend the first morning on a coast road before you try one across the island.
Drains, rain and potholes
Mind the open storm drains: deep and uncovered, they run along the edge of many roads. When a car comes the other way on a narrow stretch, stop where there is room rather than squeezing towards the drain, and park with the same care.
Downpours cut visibility and grip within minutes, and potholes can open after heavy rain; drivers sometimes swerve across the lane to miss them. Leave extra distance and slow down at night.
What are the rules of the road?
Traffic drives on the left, as in the UK, according to the Canadian government. If you normally drive on the right, spend the first drive on a quiet coast road and slow down at junctions and roundabouts.
Not wearing a seat belt and using a mobile phone while driving are both traffic offences, and the fine for each was raised to SCR 1,000 from 1 February 2022, according to the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation. The same report, from February 2022, puts the fine for parking on the pavement at SCR 500.
The Seychelles Licensing Authority sets 18 as the age for a licence to drive a private car; hire companies can set a higher minimum age. After an accident, stay at the scene until the police arrive, and take out adequate insurance, the Canadian government advises.
What does car hire cost right now?
Prices differ by pick-up point.
| Pick-up place | Offers | From, per day | Typical, per day | Automatic | No deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seychelles Airport (SEZ) | 88 | $44.89 | $62.85 | 100% | 89% |
| Victoria | 58 | $44.89 | $61.08 | 100% | 93% |
| Praslin | 18 | $60.60 | — | — | — |
According to Autalo's daily price check of 88 rental offers at Seychelles Airport on , a 7-day rental starts at $44.89 per day, and a typical car costs about $62.85 per day. 100% of these offers are automatic and 89% need no deposit.
If you land on Mahé, start with car hire at Seychelles International Airport. For a stay in the capital, see car hire in Victoria.
Can you take the car to Praslin?
A rental car leaves its island only with the supplier's written permission, so hand the Mahé car back before you cross and book a second one for Praslin.
Cars delivered on Praslin
Suzuki Fronx 2025
$60.60per day · $424 for 7 days
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Suzuki Fronx 2023
$60.60per day · $424 for 7 days
See conditions →The crossing and the Praslin leg are in our Seychelles road trip guide; where the Praslin car is handed over is on car hire on Praslin.
Is it safe to drive, and where do you park?
The UK government names narrow mountain roads, heavy rain and other drivers as the main risks, and warns that drink-driving is a problem, so allow for unpredictable behaviour. The Canadian government advises driving defensively, particularly after dark, because some roads are poorly lit.
Parking and theft
Park only where parking is allowed, not on the pavement, which carries a fine.
Leave nothing in sight: the UK government warns that parked cars get broken into and tells visitors not to leave valuables on display; it names Beau Vallon, the back streets of Victoria and isolated spots, particularly after dark. For a morning in the capital, leave the car at your hotel and take a taxi in.
Breakdown or damage
For a breakdown or a scratch, ring the number on your rental agreement and note where the car stands. The Canadian government also advises getting a written statement at return that the car came back undamaged.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive in the Seychelles with my UK licence?
The UK government says a UK photocard licence can be used for 3 months. Holders of a paper licence may need to update it to a photocard or carry a 1968 International Driving Permit as well, and hire companies can ask for more, such as a year of driving experience or a higher minimum age.
Can I drive in the Seychelles with a US or an Indian driving licence?
Carry your licence and an International Driving Permit, as the Canadian government advises its own visitors, and ask the hire desk to confirm in writing which licences it accepts before you pay. The Seychelles Licensing Authority's own permit is only for people who hold a Seychelles licence, so a visitor's permit comes from home.
Do I need an International Driving Permit for the Seychelles?
Ask your hire company before you travel, and get the answer in writing. The UK government names the permit for paper licences, the Canadian government asks its visitors for one, and hire companies can require it.
Where do I pick up a hire car when arriving by ferry on Praslin?
At the jetty, the airstrip or your guesthouse, as agreed with the supplier when you book; our Praslin page has the details.
What side of the road do you drive on in the Seychelles?
On the left, as in the UK. If you normally drive on the right, spend the first drive on a quiet coast road and take extra care at junctions and roundabouts.
Is it safe to drive in the Seychelles?
With care, yes. The risks are narrow roads with hairpins, open drains and few barriers, sudden rain, poor lighting after dark and drink-driving, according to the UK and Canadian governments. Drive in daylight until you know the roads.
Are the roads good on Mahé and Praslin?
The Canadian government calls the roads generally well maintained but narrow and winding. The UK government adds sheer drops, open storm drains and potholes after heavy rain on Mahé.
Do I need a car in Praslin, or can I get around without one?
It depends on your plans: a car helps if you want to reach several beaches in a day, and buses and taxis cover the odd outing if you stay at one beach. Our Praslin page covers hand-over.
Can I take a hire car on the ferry from Mahé to Praslin?
A rental car leaves its island only with the supplier's written permission, so hand the Mahé car back before you cross and book another for Praslin.
Is it easy to find parking in Victoria?
Park only where parking is allowed: parking on the pavement carries a fine, SCR 500 since February 2022 according to the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation. The UK government warns of break-ins from parked cars in the back streets of Victoria and at Beau Vallon, so leave nothing in sight, and ask your hotel where it advises parking.
Sources (5)
- UK Foreign Office: Seychelles safety and security (road travel, crime, weather) gov.uk · Checked
- Government of Canada: Seychelles travel advice (road safety, driving) travel.gc.ca · Checked
- Seychelles Licensing Authority: driving licence and International Driving Permit sla.gov.sc · Checked
- Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation: traffic fines from 1 February 2022 (seat belt, mobile phone) sbc.sc · Checked
- Seychelles Licensing Authority: local driving licence (classes and minimum ages) sla.gov.sc · Checked