Driving on Praslin: A Complete Guide
Praslin drives on the left with right-hand-drive cars — just like home. Before you pick up the keys, here is what every UK driver needs to know about speed limits, storm drains and the island's two petrol stations.
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Driving on the Left: the Basics
Seychelles is a former British colony and drives on the left — so UK drivers will feel immediately at home. Hire cars are right-hand drive, steering is on the correct side, and overtaking instincts work exactly as they do back in Britain. There are no motorways on Praslin; the only dual carriageway in Seychelles is on Mahé. What you will find instead is a single coastal road and a steep cross-island pass — and a set of speed limits considerably lower than anything you encounter on the A-roads.
| Road type | Speed limit |
|---|---|
| Towns and villages | 40 km/h |
| Open roads | 65 km/h |
| Dual carriageway (Mahé only — not on Praslin) | 80 km/h |
Police are present and do enforce speed limits. The 40 km/h limit applies through every settlement, including Grand Anse and Baie Ste Anne, so treat the speed changes seriously rather than as advisory. If you are collecting your hire car straight from the ferry or airport, check the Praslin airport and ferry car hire page for what to expect on arrival before you pull out of the car park.
Licence, IDP and Age Rules
Most UK drivers will need nothing more than what is already in their wallet. The FCDO confirms that a UK photocard driving licence is accepted in Seychelles for up to three months with no International Driving Permit required. The old-style paper licence is the exception: if yours pre-dates the photocard, you must obtain an IDP before travelling.
What hire firms typically require
- UK photocard driving licence (both parts, the card and the paper counterpart if you still have one)
- Minimum age 21 — some firms set this at 23 for certain vehicle categories
- Licence held for at least 1–2 years (varies by firm)
- Under-25 surcharges are common — confirm the exact fee at booking
- A credit card for the security deposit (amount varies by firm and excess level)
Travelling with an old paper-only licence? Apply for an IDP at a Post Office before you leave the UK — it costs £5.50 and is issued on the spot. You need either a 1926 or 1968 convention IDP for Seychelles; Post Offices issue both.
The Roads: Storm Drains and the Vallée de Mai Pass
Praslin has one main road that forms a horseshoe around much of the island. It does not fully ring the island — there is a gap at the north-west tip between Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette, where no through-road connects the two beaches. Beyond the main coastal route, a cross-island road climbs from Baie Ste Anne over the central ridge to Grand Anse, passing directly alongside the Vallée de Mai. This pass is the most technically demanding drive on the island.
Storm-drain warning: Praslin's roads are flanked by deep, uncovered concrete drainage channels. Drop a wheel into one and you will cause serious damage to the underside of the hire car — damage that may not be covered by your excess waiver. When a bus approaches on a narrow section, do not swerve to the edge. Instead, slow right down and fold in your wing mirrors.
Tackling the cross-island pass
- The climb is steep and winding with blind bends and no crash barriers on either side
- Small-engined cars (under roughly 1.2 litres) can struggle — engage a lower gear before the gradient steepens
- Use engine braking on the descent rather than riding the footbrake
- The tarmac becomes slick within minutes of tropical rain — allow a much longer braking distance
- Main roads are sealed but narrow, with virtually no hard shoulder at any point
If you are planning a day at Anse Lazio or exploring the nature reserve, the Vallée de Mai and Praslin beaches page covers parking, road conditions and the best times to make the drive.
Petrol: Only Two Stations
There are just two petrol stations on the entire island, both run by SEYPEC — the sole fuel brand in Seychelles. Neither station is self-service; an attendant fills the car for you. SEYPEC sets the pump price monthly: petrol currently costs around SCR 22.68 per litre, which is roughly €1.40. There is no fuel available north of the Vallée de Mai, so top up before heading to Anse Lazio or any beach on the northern arc.
| Station | Mon–Sat hours | Sun & public holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Baie Ste Anne | 07:00–22:30 | 07:00–18:00 |
| Grand Anse | 07:00–20:30 | 07:00–18:00 |
Both stations close at 18:00 on Sundays and public holidays — considerably earlier than on weekdays. If you are planning a long drive on a Sunday, fill up on Saturday evening at the Baie Ste Anne station, which stays open until 22:30 on weekdays. Running low on a Sunday afternoon when both stations have already closed is not a hypothetical risk on an island this small.
Fuel policy: what to confirm at booking
Hire firms on Praslin use one of two policies. A full-to-full arrangement means you receive the car with a full tank and return it full — straightforward and fair. A same-to-same policy means the car arrives part-full and you return it at the same level, which requires a bit more attention to the gauge. Confirm which policy applies before you sign anything, and note the fuel level on the collection paperwork. Most firms at Praslin airport and ferry terminals will explain this at handover — ask if they do not.
Hazards, Fines and Fuel Policies
Beyond the road layout, Praslin presents a handful of hazards that do not feature in the UK Highway Code. Giant Aldabra tortoises wander onto roads freely; slow down and wait rather than attempting to steer around them sharply. Stray dogs and large land crabs are particularly active at night and after heavy rain. Do not park under coconut palms — a falling coconut can dent or crack bodywork, and this type of damage is generally excluded from standard hire insurance.
Night driving
There is no street lighting outside the main villages, and there are no pavements — pedestrians walk on the road after dark. Finish any cross-island driving before sunset and keep speeds well below the limit at night.
Fixed fines
| Offence | Fixed fine |
|---|---|
| Using a handheld mobile phone while driving | SCR 1,000 |
| Not wearing a seatbelt (mandatory in all seats) | SCR 1,000 |
| Illegal parking | SCR 500 |
Never pay a fine at the roadside — under Seychelles law this is treated as bribery. Any fixed penalty must be paid at a police station, and you should always obtain a dated receipt.
Drink-driving
The blood-alcohol limit is 0.08% (80 mg per 100 ml) — the same as England and Wales. Police run random roadside breath checks, and the consequences of exceeding the limit are severe: a court summons, possible arrest, licence suspension and a heavy fine. The safest approach is the same one that works at home: if you are driving, do not drink.
Sand and cleaning fees
Some firms charge a valet or cleaning fee — typically €20–35 — if the car is returned with excessive sand or wet seats. Shake off beach gear before getting in and keep a towel in the car. To compare car hire deals and check which firms include a cleaning waiver in their rate, use the search tool at the top of this page. For boats, ferries and excursions, the Praslin day trips to La Digue and Curieuse page covers everything you need alongside your hire car.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an International Driving Permit for Praslin?
Which side of the road does Seychelles drive on?
What are the speed limits on Praslin?
How many petrol stations are there on Praslin?
Are the roads safe to drive at night?
What is the drink-drive limit in Seychelles?
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