Driving in Seychelles

Which island does the rental cover?

Driving in Seychelles is done on the island where the car was rented: travel outside the car’s home island is prohibited. Mahé and Praslin each need their own booking.

For your Mahé car rental, the search lists Seychelles International Airport, Victoria, the Cat Cocos ferry, the cruise port and city delivery. Praslin lists its airport, its ferry harbour and city delivery.

Which side of the road should I drive on?

Traffic drives on the left in Seychelles, as Tourism Seychelles confirms. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office describes Mahé as mountainous, with narrow winding roads and hairpin bends. It also lists unprotected drops and uncovered roadside drains.

How should I plan around rain?

The FCDO warns that heavy downpours can quickly reduce visibility and affect road conditions.

An extension needs advance notice to the rental agent, and a started extra day is charged as a full day.

Which roads does the rental agreement allow?

Rental cars may be driven only on paved public roads. The rule applies to every car, including SUVs, and to the access road to your accommodation.

The road-use and insurance conditions are both among the fifteen country terms and apply to every rental. Standard insurance does not cover the wheels, undercarriage, windscreen or interior, and the insurance is invalid for deliberate damage caused by vandalism or neglect. Optional protection, where offered, has its own terms in the car’s offer.

What should I check during collection?

For the Seychelles Airport pickup arrangement, the booking sets the time and place, and the email sent after booking gives the company’s contact details. The car goes back with the fuel level it had at pickup.

How do I prepare the people and luggage?

Each listing shows the number of seats and the transmission.

Only small pets may travel in a rental car, and they must stay in their travel carrier at all times.

Which driver documents need checking?

The licence must be a valid national licence with its details also in Latin script, valid until at least the last rental day, and the licence checked at the handover must be the original document. Copies and electronic licences are not accepted. An International Driving Permit is strongly recommended if your licence is valid only in its issuing country.

Minimum age and driving experience are listed on each car’s page. Your Seychelles car rental deposit and card rules are set per car: a physical embossed credit card in the main driver’s name may be required, and an accepted debit card must be physical, personalised, embossed and in that name.

What if I have a problem with the car?

Questions about the car and the service go to the rental company, whose contact details are in the booking email. Your booking phone number must be reachable throughout the rental and on the day before pickup.

After an insured event you must notify the rental agent immediately and obtain a police report, unless agreed otherwise with the agent. If you do not, the insurance is cancelled and you are fully responsible. If the company cannot provide the booked car because of a breakdown, it must supply one of the same or a higher class on the same terms.

How should I manage fuel and the return?

Return the car with the fuel level it had at pickup. Missing fuel is charged at the company’s rates, and extra fuel is not refunded.

A car returned too dirty to inspect is washed at the renter’s expense. Fuel, parking, fines and toll roads are paid by the renter.

What changes when I collect on the next island?

The second island means a second car and a second booking. Praslin car rental for your stay has its own deposit, payment method and minimum driver age, and your separate island bookings each carry their own voucher, pickup time and company contact. Each car stays on its own island.