Car hire on Praslin and La Digue
Car hire is available on Praslin and Mahé, but a 2019 Seychelles News Agency article said La Digue had no car rental facility. Seychelles drives on the left. Maki and Papa Car Rental say a home licence can be used for three months and set a minimum hire age of 21 (checked 16 September 2026).
Where you can hire a car
Papa Car Rental offers cars on Mahé and Praslin, and Bliss Car Hire is based on Praslin at Baie Sainte Anne and Grand Anse. The Seychelles Islands Foundation lists a hire car as one way to reach the Vallée de Mai.
La Digue is different. Bicycles are the main mode of transport, and the government manages vehicle numbers closely. A 2019 Seychelles News Agency article, republished by the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation, said the island had a handful of taxis and no car rental facility. In 2022 the Seychelles News Agency reported new transport rules, including limits on club cars used as taxis, and said petrol motorbikes and scooters were still not permitted. In August 2026 Cabinet decided that no new applications for additional buggies or electric vehicles would be approved on La Digue until further notice, and that a study of the island's carrying capacity would be carried out. Plan to cycle, walk or use taxis there.
Rules of the road
- Driving side: traffic drives on the left, and hire cars are right-hand drive, according to local hire companies.
- Seat belts: Papa Car Rental's drivers' guide says drivers and front-seat passengers must wear them.
- Alcohol: Papa Car Rental gives the legal blood alcohol limit as 0.08%, and says its insurance requires drivers to be completely alcohol free.
Licences
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office says a UK photocard licence can be used to drive in Seychelles for three months, and that holders of an old paper licence may need a photocard or a 1968 international driving permit. Maki Car Rental quotes the Seychelles regulations recognising foreign driving permits, which allow a visitor holding a licence from their home country to drive for three months from their last entry.
If your licence is not written in Latin letters, Papa Car Rental says you must also carry an international driving permit.
Age and experience
The FCDO warns that hire companies often have stricter requirements than the law, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age or an international driving permit. Maki Car Rental and Papa Car Rental both say their insurers require drivers to be at least 21 and to have held a licence for at least a year. Check the conditions of the company you book with before you travel.
Driving on Praslin
Bliss Car Hire, a Praslin company, describes the island's roads as mostly paved but narrow and winding, with blind corners, occasional potholes and stretches without lighting, and suggests a compact car. It also advises being ready to stop or reverse for oncoming traffic on single-track roads. The FCDO describes Mahé's roads as narrow and winding, with sheer drops, hairpin bends and deep open storm drains in places, and warns that heavy downpours can quickly worsen visibility and road surfaces. It also flags drink-driving as a problem, so drive defensively, especially after dark.
If you would rather not drive
- Buses: the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC) runs the public bus network on Mahé and Praslin and has a depot on Praslin. The Seychelles Islands Foundation says there is a bus stop outside the Vallée de Mai visitor centre, with buses scheduled throughout the site's opening hours. The FCDO notes that most public buses do not run after 8pm. SPTC's downloadable timetables, effective from 4 August 2026, list Mahé routes only (SPTC, checked 16 September 2026), so for Praslin times ask locally or use the SPTC mobile app, which SPTC says covers routes, timetables, fares and service updates.
- Taxis: available on Praslin, and the Seychelles Islands Foundation suggests them for reaching the Vallée de Mai. The FCDO advises agreeing a fare before setting off if the taxi has no meter.
- Transfers: booking agents sell shared minibus transfers between Praslin hotels and the ferry jetty.
Bliss Car Hire says you can drive from one end of Praslin to the other in under an hour, and that a car lets you reach remote beaches such as Anse La Blague.
Key facts
- Driving side
- Left; hire cars are right-hand drive
- Foreign licence validity
- Three months from last entry, per the foreign driving permit regulations quoted by Maki Car Rental
- UK licence
- UK photocard licence usable for three months
- Hire age (Maki and Papa Car Rental)
- 21 and over, licence held at least one year (hire company insurers)
- Non-Latin licences
- International driving permit also required
- Car hire on La Digue
- No car rental facility reported (2019)
- La Digue vehicle policy
- No new applications for additional buggies or electric vehicles (Cabinet, August 2026)
- Public buses
- SPTC network on Mahé and Praslin, with one depot on Praslin
Car hire, taxis and buses
The 14 places on this map
- Bliss Car Hire Thing to do
- Capricorn Car Rental Thing to do
- Century Car Rental Thing to do
- Cliff Taxi Services Thing to do
- Côte Dor Cars Thing to do
- Irondel Services Thing to do
- JC Car Hire Thing to do
- Jemmy's Taxi Service Thing to do
- La Digue Public Transport Thing to do
- MC Seychelles Travel & Tours (taxi services and transfers) Thing to do
- Pisces Car Hire Thing to do
- Sails Cars Seychelles Thing to do
- Sun Cars Thing to do
- VJ Royal Car Hire Thing to do
Where these details come from
- Aventure Car Hire Seychelles: Aventure Car Hire – official site; SeyBusiness directory – Car hires (Praslin entries)
- Bliss Car Hire: Bliss Car Hire – Commonly asked questions about Praslin; Bliss Car Hire – FAQ; Bliss Car Hire – Rental Terms and Conditions; Seychelles Tourism Board listing – Bliss Car Hire (listing updated 27 Mar 2026); OpenStreetMap node 3798116315 – Bliss Car Hire
- Cahil Taxi Services: Seychelles Tourism Board listing – Cahil Taxi Services (SY0001596)
- Capricorn Car Rental: Capricorn Car Rental – Agreement; Capricorn Car Rental – Home; Seychelles Tourism Board listing – Capricorn Car Rental (listing updated 31 Aug 2026); OpenStreetMap node 2810638854 – Capricorn (car_rental)
- Century Car Rental: Seychelles Tourism Board listing – Century Car Rental (listing updated 30 Sep 2025)
- Cliff Taxi Services: Seychelles Tourism Board listing – Cliff Taxi Services (SY0001600)
- Coconut Services: Coconut Services – Taxi and Tours Services, Praslin; SeyBusiness directory – Taxis, Tours and Transfers
- Cosmic Car Hire: Seychelles Tourism Board listing – Cosmic Car Hire Praslin Seychelles (listing updated 27 Mar 2026); SeyBusiness directory – Car hires (Praslin entries)
- Côte Dor Cars: Seychelles Tourism Board listing – Côte Dor Cars (listing updated 1 Oct 2024)
- Irondel Services: Seychelles Tourism Board listing – Irondel Services (SY0001733); KOEK Seychelles directory – Irondel Services
- JC Car Hire: Seychelles Tourism Board listing – JC Car Hire (listing updated 30 Sep 2025)
- Jemmy's Taxi Service: Seychelles Tourism Board listing – Jemmy's Taxi Service (SY0001800)
- Jeremie Taxi Service: Seychelles Tourism Board listing – Jeremie Taxi Service (SY0001662); KOEK Seychelles directory – Jeremie Taxi Service
- La Digue Public Transport: Seychelles Tourism Board listing – La Digue Public Transport (SY0001674)
- Lady V Car Hire: Seychelles Tourism Board listing – Lady V Car Hire (listing updated 3 Jul 2026)
- Larue Cars Praslin: Seychelles Tourism Board listing – Larue Cars Praslin (listing updated 30 Sep 2025)
- MC Seychelles Travel & Tours (taxi services and transfers): MC Seychelles Travel & Tours – Taxi Services & Transfers; Seychelles Tourism Board listing – MC Seychelles Taxi Services & Transfers (listing updated 12 May 2025)
- Papa Car Rental: Papa Car Rental – Home; Papa Car Rental – Terms & Drivers Guide
- Pisces Car Hire: Pisces Car Hire – Booking form; Pisces Car Hire – Home; Seychelles Tourism Board listing – Pisces Car Hire (listing updated 15 Sep 2025)
- Sails Cars Seychelles: Sails Cars – Home; Seychelles Tourism Board listing – Sails Cars Seychelles (listing updated 7 Jan 2026)
- Sun Cars: Sun Cars – Home; Seychelles Tourism Board listing – Sun Cars (listing updated 30 Sep 2025)
- Ton Yas Taxi Services: Seychelles Tourism Board listing – Ton Yas Taxi services (SY0001788); KOEK Seychelles directory – Ton Yas Taxi Services (Elias Radegonde)
- VJ Royal Car Hire: Seychelles Tourism Board listing – Vj Royal Car hire (listing updated 30 Sep 2025)
Checked 16 September 2026. Timetables, prices and rules change; confirm with the operator before you travel.
Questions
- Which side of the road do you drive on in Seychelles?
- On the left. Local hire companies say rental cars are right-hand drive.
- Can I drive with my home licence?
- The FCDO says a UK photocard licence can be used for three months. Maki Car Rental quotes Seychelles regulations allowing visitors with a foreign licence to drive for three months from their last entry. Papa Car Rental says licences not written in Latin letters need an international driving permit as well.
- What is the minimum age to hire a car?
- It depends on the company. Maki Car Rental and Papa Car Rental both say their insurers require drivers to be at least 21 with a licence held for at least a year.
- Can I hire a car on La Digue?
- A 2019 Seychelles News Agency article, republished by the national broadcaster, said La Digue had no car rental facility, and in August 2026 Cabinet decided that no new applications for additional buggies or electric vehicles would be approved until further notice. Visitors get around by bicycle, on foot or by taxi.
- Do I need a car on Praslin?
- Not necessarily. SPTC runs public buses on Praslin and taxis are available. Bliss Car Hire says a car lets you reach remote beaches at your own pace, and the FCDO says most buses do not run after 8pm.
- Is there a bus to the Vallée de Mai?
- Yes. The Seychelles Islands Foundation says there is a bus stop outside the visitor centre, with buses scheduled throughout its opening hours.
- What are Praslin's roads like?
- Bliss Car Hire describes them as mostly paved but narrow and winding, with blind corners, some potholes and unlit stretches.
- Do I have to wear a seat belt?
- Papa Car Rental's drivers' guide says seat belts are mandatory for drivers and front-seat passengers.
- Do I need to hire a car on Praslin?
- Not necessarily. Praslin has car hire, taxis and SPTC public buses, and a bus stop outside the Vallée de Mai. Tourism Seychelles says car hire is popular for independence and flexibility, and calls the drive from Anse Volbert to Anse Lazio long and winding.
- Which side of the road do they drive on in Seychelles?
- Seychelles drives on the left, as in the UK. Speed limits are 40 km/h in towns and 60 to 65 km/h on open roads (Tourism Seychelles, checked 16 September 2026).
- What do I need to hire a car on Praslin?
- You need to be at least 21 with a valid home licence, says Tourism Seychelles (checked 16 September 2026). An international permit is needed only if your licence is not in English or French. Some firms require a year's experience and a credit card, and most cars are manual, so book early for an automatic.
- Can I use my UK driving licence in Seychelles?
- Yes, for up to three months if it is a photocard licence, says GOV.UK (checked 16 September 2026). Holders of a paper licence may need to update it or get a 1968 international driving permit, and hire companies often set stricter requirements.
Sources
- Seychelles Islands Foundation, Welcome to the Vallée de MaiOfficial website, checked 16 September 2026
- Seychelles Public Transport Corporation timetablesOfficial website, checked 16 September 2026
- SeyFerry – Praslin to La Digue (Cat Rose timetable and harbour information)Booking site, checked 16 September 2026
- GOV.UK Foreign travel advice, Seychelles: Safety and securityGovernment, checked 16 September 2026
- Seychelles Public Transport Corporation, Public Bus OperationGovernment, checked 16 September 2026
- State House Seychelles – Cabinet Business, Thursday 6 August 2026Government, checked 16 September 2026
- Tourism Seychelles blog, Your Journey to Paradise: How to Get to The Seychelles Islands (updated 6 August 2026)Tourism board, checked 16 September 2026
- Tourism Seychelles, Anse LazioTourism board, checked 16 September 2026
- Tourism Seychelles: Driving in the SeychellesTourism board, checked 16 September 2026
- Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SNA content), Ox cart? Bike? Taxi? 3 ways to get around Seychelles' tranquil third island (published 9 May 2019, updated 25 May 2021)Editorial, checked 16 September 2026
- Seychelles News Agency, Seychelles' bicycle-friendly La Digue Island gets tougher transport rules (18 March 2022)Editorial, checked 16 September 2026
- Bliss Car Hire – Driving in Praslin: What Tourists Should KnowOther, checked 16 September 2026
- Maki Car Rental – Do I need an International Driving Permit for the Seychelles?Other, checked 16 September 2026
- Papa Car Rental – Terms & Drivers GuideOther, checked 16 September 2026
Details last verified 16 September 2026.