Is this mandatory?
Yes, after 12 months’ residence, the exchange becomes compulsory. Driving with an expired foreign license can lead to penalties in the event of an inspection.
For example, if your French license is lost or stolen, the process of obtaining a new one from abroad is complex, if not impossible. As you no longer live in France, you are no longer dependent on the French administration for this type of request.
Here I explain everything you need to know to make this conversion.
Be prepared, because you’ll have to go to Port Louis… 3 times:
- Submit your application
- Payment of fees (RS 1500) and validation of information (+ passport photos to bring)
- Collection of the official Mauritian driving licence
Step 1: Documents to be provided for the exchange
Here is the list of documents to be submitted to the Traffic Branch in Port-Louis (Line Barracks):
- Letter explaining the reason for the exchange request, with your full contact details (postal address, telephone, e-mail).
- Copy of your passport.
- Copy of your last entry visa.
- Recent proof of address in your name (e.g. bank statement).
- Photocopy of your Mauritian residence permit.
- Photocopy of your Mauritian UID card.
- Photocopy of both sides of your foreign driving license.
- An attestation from your issuing country to ensure the authenticity of the foreign driving licence. This document certifies the validity of your driving license.
Once you have collected all the documents, send them to the following address:
Traffic Branch
Line Barracks
Port-Louis
Phone number: 212 61 59
- Duration: The police will contact you to tell you that your application has been approved. This takes about 2 weeks.
You will keep your French licence.
Step 2: Payment and validation of your details
Once your application has been accepted, you’ll need to go to the Port Louis barracks again to get your Mauritian license back, but mainly for 2 points:
- Fees: A fee of Rs. 1,500 is payable when you receive your Mauritian license (indicative rate for 2021) – in cash
- Passport photos: you will also need to bring 2 passport photos (passport size).
You will be given a receipt and told a date when you can collect your official licence.
I recommend that you take a photo of the receipt if you lose it.
Step 3: Collecting your licence
There’s no need to queue up nor get a ticket.
Go straight to desk 8 at the Traffic Branch where you can collect your licence directly.
Make sure there are no errors on the document.
Practical information
- Duration: between submission of the application and receipt of the document, it will take between 1? and 2 months.
- Submission on 24 April 2025
- Call received on 5 May to validate application + Payment on 6 May 2025
- Collection on 12 June 2025
- Parking: It is not possible to park directly inside the barracks. I recommend the pay car park opposite, at the Victoria Urban Terminal (Rs 80 for the first 3 hours).
- If you live near a metro express station, I recommend that you take the metro to get there, as the Port Louis barracks are right next to Victoria Urban Terminal.
Good to know
👉 The French Embassy in Mauritius is not involved in the permit exchange process. If you have any questions, please contact the Traffic Branch directly.
The French RIR, Relevé d’Information Restreint, obtained via the “Mes points permis” teleservice: https://mespoints.permisdeconduire.gouv.fr/bienvenue, is essential to prove the validity of your French licence. Without this document, your exchange request could be refused.
For more information, visit the official page of the French Embassy in Mauritius: https://mu.ambafrance.org/Permis-de-conduire-1301
My services to help you with your expatriation to Mauritius
Since 2018, I have been living in Mauritius and have accompanied many future expatriates in their life change project.
Each journey is unique – that’s why I offer several personalised services to help you move forward more serenely:
- Coaching expatriation
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Help with administrative formalities (visa/permit in Mauritius)
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One-day personalised tour
