Good news for young travellers: in Mauritius you can rent a car from age 21. The less good news: up to and including age 24 a surcharge applies, and some agencies set their own rules for larger vehicles. Here is what to know before you book.
The rules on RentCar.mu
- Minimum age: 21 on the day you collect the car.
- Young driver surcharge: Rs 350 per day from 21 to 24 inclusive (about €7 a day). It is added automatically to the displayed price when you enter your date of birth.
- Licence: held for at least one year.
- Deposit: the same as for other drivers, Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000 depending on the car with our partner agencies.
What it really costs
Over a week, the surcharge comes to Rs 2,450 (7 × Rs 350), about €46. For a small car in low season from Rs 1,300 a day, the week goes from about Rs 9,100 to Rs 11,550. Price ranges by season and category are on our price barometer (rentcar.mu/barometre-prix).
Tip: if a passenger aged 25 or over holds a licence, register them as the main driver. The surcharge only applies when the driver concerned is under 25; if you also want to drive, add yourself as a second driver and ask the agency how the surcharge applies.
Which licences are accepted
A valid UK or European licence is enough for a holiday. For a licence in a non-Latin script, or if in doubt, an International Driving Permit is a safe bet. Everything is explained in our guide to driving licences in Mauritius (rentcar.mu/blog/permis-conduire-ile-maurice-international).
A probationary licence is accepted if it has been held for at least a year. Carry it on every journey, with ID and the rental agreement.
Which car to choose at 21
A small automatic is the best choice: cheaper, easier to park, and the automatic gearbox leaves all your attention for driving on the left. Larger engines and some SUVs may be reserved for older drivers depending on the agency, so check the vehicle page or ask first.
Five tips for the road
- For the first few miles, keep one phrase in mind: the driver sits towards the middle of the road.
- On roundabouts, go clockwise and give way to traffic already on them.
- No alcohol at all when driving: police checks are frequent, especially at weekends.
- Avoid driving at night for the first few days: it gets dark early and roads are poorly lit.
- Stick to the limits (40 km/h in towns, 80 outside, 110 on the motorway): speed cameras are everywhere and fines are passed on to you.
For everything else, our complete guide to driving in Mauritius covers the rules (rentcar.mu/blog/conduire-a-maurice-guide-complet). To see available cars with the surcharge already included, search on rentcar.mu/search.
