Car rental in Seychelles

When renting a car, you need to take into account the fact that the roads here are quite unusual. Paved roads are found only on the islands of La Digue, Mahé and Praslin; the remaining areas are served by dirt roads. Furthermore, in the Seychelles people drive on the left, and there are many dangerous mountain bends. Combined with the lack of barriers and signposts, this forces drivers to be very careful. At the time of rental, the driver must be at least 21 years old and must hold a valid driving licence with a minimum of 3 years' driving experience.

Street lighting is poor on many local roads, and meeting oncoming traffic in these areas can also be problematic. As for road signs familiar to European drivers, the most common one you will see is the "speed bump" sign. When driving, you must be very careful, especially on suburban streets. Many roads have no pavements or barriers, and pedestrians often walk directly on the carriageway. This creates certain risks, particularly given that the local driving culture is not very well developed.

Roads in the Seychelles are narrow and winding, so it is important to observe the speed limits, if only for your own safety.

• in towns the speed limit is 45 km/h;
• outside built-up areas the limit is 65 km/h;
• on the paved road leading to the airport, it is possible to drive at up to 80 km/h.

Petrol stations in the Seychelles are small, and their opening hours are generally from 5:00 to 23:00. Some fuel stations operate for even fewer hours, opening at 6:00 and closing at 21:00. Fuel prices are almost the same everywhere; for a litre of petrol motorists will have to pay about 6 rupees.

Parking in the Seychelles is mostly municipal, and public car parks are equipped with automatic meters. While it is relatively easy to find a space on the outskirts, in the capital, Victoria, parking can become a real problem. The parking situation is particularly difficult at weekends. From Saturday onwards, many residents head into the capital, often leading to heavy traffic and a shortage of spaces.

Driving a rented car in the Seychelles while intoxicated is strictly prohibited. If a police officer stops a driver whose blood alcohol level is greater than 0,8 ‰, the offender will have to pay a fine. Smoking at the wheel while driving on the roads of the Seychelles is also prohibited. You should temporarily give up this habit to avoid problems during your journey.