Réunion on an Indian Licence 2026: French Law, Right Side
India
Réunion
Yes. Réunion follows French law: an Indian licence must be in French or carried with an IDP or official translation. Traffic keeps right, and the alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l.
Réunion is a French island in the Indian Ocean, and a hire car is the easiest way to reach its volcano, its cirques and its coast road. For an Indian visitor the trip is very doable. The adjustments are the side of the road and the fact that this is France, with French paperwork and French limits.
The licence: French, or with an IDP
As a French overseas department, Réunion applies the French rule for visitors: a non-European licence must be valid and either written in French or accompanied by an international driving permit or an official translation. An Indian licence is not in French, so get the IDP from your RTO before you fly; it cannot be issued on the island. Carry it with the licence and your passport, and check other cases with the Driving Permit Checker.
The real change: switching to the right
India drives on the left; Réunion drives on the right. Roundabouts circulate the other way, the driver sits on the left and your overtaking instincts are reversed. Start on quieter coastal roads before tackling the mountain routes inland.
French limits on mountain roads
The French Code de la route sets 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on two-lane roads without a central separator and 110 km/h where the carriageways are separated, unless signs show otherwise. The alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l of blood, or 0.2 g/l for probationary drivers, compared with India’s 30 mg per 100 ml. The real challenge is the terrain: steep, narrow, hairpinned roads up to the cirques, often in cloud. Use low gears on the descents.
The emergency number is 112. See our Réunion driving guide for local detail, and our note on who pays driving fines abroad for how a French penalty could reach you.
Sources
- Service-public.gouv.fr, driving in France with a non-European licence (French language, IDP or official translation): service-public.gouv.fr
- Code de la route art. R413-2 (speed limits): legifrance.gouv.fr
- Code de la route art. R234-1 (0.5 g/l; 0.2 g/l for probationary drivers): legifrance.gouv.fr
- India, Motor Vehicles Act 1988 s.185 (30 mg per 100 ml): indiacode.nic.in
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for a visit. Réunion is a French overseas department, and French rules say a non-European licence must be valid and either written in French or accompanied by an international driving permit or an official translation. An Indian licence is in English or Hindi, so bring the IDP issued by your RTO and carry it with the licence and passport.
On the right, as in mainland France and the opposite of India. Roundabouts flow the other way and overtaking instincts are reversed, so take the first day slowly.
French limits apply: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on two-lane roads without a central separator and 110 km/h on roads with separated carriageways, unless signs say otherwise. The alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l of blood, or 0.2 g/l for probationary drivers, compared with India's 30 mg per 100 ml.