Driving in Mauritius
Driving in Mauritius is on the left side of the road - a legacy of British colonial rule - which can be a change for visitors from countries where driving is on the right.
The roads in Mauritius are well-maintained and well-signed, but traffic can be heavy in the cities and tourist areas. Locals tend to drive at a relatively fast pace, and may not always obey traffic signals or stop signs, so it's important to be alert and cautious.
Additionally, roundabouts are commonly used in Mauritius instead of traffic lights, so it is important to understand how they work before driving.
Driving licence
You can drive with your own country's licence for the first 4 weeks in Mauritius. If your licence does not use Latin characters, then you will need an official translation.
After 4 weeks, you will need to use an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued from your country. The IDP is a document that translates your home country driver's license into multiple languages, and is recognized in over 150 countries worldwide, including Mauritius.
If you don't have an International Driving Permit, you may be able to apply for an extension to the 4 week period with the Mauritius Police Force, Traffic Branch.
If you become a long term resident of the country you will need to apply for a Mauritian driver's license in order to drive.
You should have your driving licence with you while driving at all times.
Pedestrian crossings
Pedestrian crossings are generally not well respected in Mauritius. As a pedestrian, it is advisable to ensure that cars are actually slowing down for you before starting to cross the road. As a foreign driver, it is important to be mindful of stopping too abruptly at a pedestrian crossing and avoid causing a hazard to vehicles behind you.
Speed limits
The general speed limits in Mauritius are as follows:
- Urban areas: 40 km/h
- Main roads: 80 km/h
- Motorway: 110 km/h, with 80 km/h zones
It's important to note that these are general speed limits and specific speed limits may be posted in specific areas.
Refer to the Mauritian Police Force website for more information on speeding and road safety: https://police.govmu.org/police
More info
You can find more useful information from the International Driver Association's Mauritius Driving Guide page.