Does Localiza require an IDP in Seychelles?
Localiza in Seychelles: the policy in plain terms
Asks foreign renters to present a licence translation with their home licence at the counter across Brazil and Latin America. The largest car-rental company in Latin America.
The Seychelles drive on the left; visitors can use a valid licence for short stays, with an IDP advised for non-Latin-script holders.
In Seychelles specifically, seychelles lets visitors drive on a valid foreign licence, but Localiza still asks for a licence translation if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet — and it removes any doubt at the counter. Mahé desks accept many foreign licences; an IDP helps non-Latin scripts.
Localiza runs a south america network; at its Seychelles desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Seychelles drives on the left, uses the SCR, and sets a minimum driving age of 18; an IDP is still the safest way to avoid a refused booking.
What to bring to the Localiza counter in Seychelles
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the SCR deposit; Seychelles drives on the left with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Seychelles Localiza renters should know
- Drive on the left.
- Narrow, hilly roads on Mahé and Praslin.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- Seatbelts mandatory.
Localiza's rental terms that affect your IDP booking
Localiza's minimum rental age is 18 (lowered from 21 across Brazil), but drivers under 21 must add the mandatory "Condutor Jovem" (Young Driver) surcharge at booking; the exact fee is set per rental/location and quoted at reservation rather than published as a flat amount.
A credit card (physical or contactless) in the reservation holder's or financial responsible party's name is required for a pre-authorization hold; debit cards are not accepted for the security guarantee. Customers without a credit card can instead pass a weekday business-hours credit evaluation, with daily rentals up to 28 days available for an approximately R$39.90 fee if approved.
Each additional driver must be registered on the contract and present a valid licence and ID at the counter; Localiza does not publish a flat additional-driver fee, charging it per rate plan and location at pickup. Localiza requires a valid full driver's licence but does not publish a fixed minimum holding period; instead the young-driver surcharge (under-21) is the gating control, so a valid current licence is the stated requirement.
Cross-border driving within Mercosur (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay) requires the mandatory "Carta Verde"/Green Card insurance and advance authorization, typically requested at booking; one-way rentals returning in a different country incur a one-way fee that is usually higher than the cross-border fee, so both must be arranged in advance.
Foreign customers must present a valid licence from a country in Brazil's "Reciprocity Agreement" plus a passport, and may drive for up to 180 days from their date of entry (respecting the original licence validity); entry must be proven with a passport stamp, boarding pass, or immigration approval document. An International Driving Permit is referenced under the applicable legislation for non-reciprocity or non-Roman-alphabet licences.
Once you collect the keys in Seychelles
Seychelles has no toll roads or vignette system - all public roads on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue are free to use.
Paid and time-limited parking applies in central Victoria; use marked bays and pay-and-display areas, as illegal parking draws a fine of up to SCR 1,000 and central Victoria parking is very limited at peak times.
Driving without proper documents can bring an SCR 5,000 fine, drink-driving an SCR 10,000 fine plus possible jail, and seatbelt offences are fined for driver and passengers; fines are issued by the Traffic Unit and unpaid amounts are passed on by rental firms.
For minor damage drivers may settle between themselves, but for injury or significant damage you must call the police (and ambulance if needed) and not leave the scene; obtain a police report for any insurance or rental claim.
Full driving guide for Seychelles →