Mayotte on an Indian Licence 2026: French Rule, Right Side

Mayotte is a small French department in the Indian Ocean, between Madagascar and the African mainland. A car is the practical way to reach the lagoon viewpoints and beaches beyond Mamoudzou. The licence rules are French, and they ask Indian visitors for one extra document.

What you need with your Indian licence

France’s official guide for drivers from outside Europe (service-public.fr, F1459) applies in Mayotte as in the rest of France. During a short stay, a non-EU licence must be valid and either written in French or “accompagné d’un permis de conduire international … ou d’une traduction officielle.” Since an Indian licence is not in French, you need either:

• an international driving permit from your RTO. India is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention, which France recognises. You cannot get one after you land, or
• an official French translation, legalised or apostilled if made outside France. If made in France, it must come from an authorised translator or the Indian embassy.

Carry the original licence and your passport too. Hire firms may set their own age or experience rules, so check when you book.

Right-hand traffic on tight roads

India keeps left and Mayotte keeps right. The switch is harder here than on a wide boulevard, because the roads are narrow, hilly and full of bends along the coast and through the interior. Expect pedestrians, scooters and animals on the road, drive to the conditions, and spend your first half-hour somewhere quiet before tackling Mamoudzou.

Emergencies

Dial 112 for all services, or 15 for an ambulance, 18 for fire and 17 for police. GOV.UK notes that most services have been restored since Cyclone Chido in 2024, but water and power cuts can still happen, so keep a charged phone and some water in the car.

Confirm your documents for other destinations with the Driving Permit Checker. The Speed Limit Map and the driving guides hub cover mainland France if your trip continues there.

Sources

• Service-public.fr, driving in France on a foreign licence during a short stay (F1459): https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1459
• GOV.UK foreign travel advice, Mayotte (French driving laws apply; emergency numbers; Cyclone Chido): https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mayotte
• UN Treaty Collection, 1949 Convention on Road Traffic (XI-B-1), list of parties: https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetailsV.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XI-B-1&chapter=11