Rental agreement

Terms and conditions

These terms apply to every vehicle rented from Seychelles Car Hire. They are written to be read, not to hide things. If anything here is unclear, ask us before you book — [email protected].

Last updated: 31 July 2026

1. Who we are

Seychelles Car Hire rents self-drive vehicles on the island of Mahé, Seychelles, operating from Seychelles International Airport, Pointe Larue. In these terms, “we” and “us” mean Seychelles Car Hire; “you” means the person named on the booking and any additional driver we have approved.

2. Who may drive

• The minimum age is 21 for most of the fleet and 23 for SUVs and crossovers. The minimum for each vehicle is shown on its page before you book.
• You must have held a full, valid driving licence for at least one year.
• Your licence must be in the Latin alphabet, or accompanied by an International Driving Permit. The physical licence must be produced at hand-over.
• Only drivers named on the rental agreement may drive the vehicle. Additional drivers can be added free of charge, but must be present with their licence at hand-over.

3. Booking, prices and payment

• No payment is required to reserve a vehicle. A booking is confirmed when we send you a confirmation containing a reference beginning SCH-.
• Prices are quoted per 24-hour period and include unlimited mileage and comprehensive insurance with a €1,000 excess.
• Any part of an additional day is charged as a full day.
• We accept PayPal, credit and debit cards, and cash on delivery.
• Prices displayed in currencies other than the euro are indicative conversions; the rental is contracted in euro.

4. Credit card pre-authorisation — no cash deposit

We do not take a cash security deposit, and we do not store your card number. Instead, a valid credit card in the main driver's name must be presented at hand-over, and we place a pre-authorisation hold on it for the duration of the rental.

A pre-authorisation is not a payment. Your bank reserves the amount against your available credit and releases it once the vehicle is returned in good order — typically within a few working days, depending on your card issuer. We only convert part of the hold into an actual charge if something is properly due under these terms: damage you are liable for under section 5, fuel not replaced, or traffic fines. We will always tell you what we are charging and why, with evidence, before taking any payment.

Debit cards, prepaid cards and cards not in the main driver's name cannot be used for the pre-authorisation.

5. Insurance, excess and damage

• Every rental includes comprehensive insurance subject to an excess of €1,000. The excess is the maximum you pay towards damage in normal circumstances.
• The optional collision damage waiver reduces that excess by half, from €1,000 to €500. It does not reduce the excess to zero, and no zero-excess product is offered.
• Insurance does not cover: damage caused while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; damage from driving on unsurfaced roads or beaches; damage to the underside, roof, tyres, wheels or interior; loss of keys; wrong-fuel filling; or any incident where the driver was not named on the agreement.
• You must report any accident, theft or damage to us and to the Seychelles Police as soon as reasonably possible. Insurance may be invalid without a police report.

6. Using the vehicle

The vehicle must not be used: to carry passengers or goods for hire or reward; to push or tow anything; for racing, competition or driving instruction; to carry more people than there are seatbelts; while the driver is unfit to drive; or on any island other than Mahé. Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle; a cleaning charge applies. Vehicles may not be taken onto the inter-island ferries.

7. Fuel

Vehicles are supplied with a full tank and must be returned with a full tank. If returned short, we charge for the fuel used at the local pump price plus a reasonable refuelling charge. Filling with the wrong fuel is not covered by insurance and is charged at cost.

8. Hand-over, return and late return

• Hand-over and collection are free at Seychelles International Airport and the Cat Cocos ferry terminal, Victoria. Hotel delivery and collection elsewhere on Mahé may carry a charge, shown at booking.
• If your flight is delayed, we meet the flight that lands. There is no charge for flight delays.
• Late return without agreement is charged at the full daily rate per part-day. Tell us and we will usually accommodate it.

9. Cancellation and changes

• Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the agreed pick-up time. Any payment made is refunded in full.
• Inside 24 hours, contact us; we will act reasonably and in good faith.
• Changes to dates, times or pick-up point are free whenever we can accommodate them.
• If we cannot supply the vehicle booked, we will supply a vehicle of the same or higher class at no extra cost, or refund you in full.

10. Breakdowns and roadside assistance

Call or WhatsApp us on +248 2519909. We will get you moving, on the island, as quickly as we can. Mechanical failure that is not your fault costs you nothing; recovery needed because of misuse is chargeable.

11. Fines and traffic offences

You are responsible for all traffic fines, parking penalties and related administrative charges incurred during your rental, together with a reasonable handling fee where we are required to process them.

12. Personal belongings

We are not responsible for property left in a vehicle. If we find something, we will hold it and do our best to return it to you.

13. Data protection

We collect only what we need to provide the rental — your name, contact details, licence details and booking information — and we use it only for that purpose and to meet legal obligations. We do not sell your data. To ask what we hold, or to have it deleted, email [email protected].

14. Liability

Nothing in these terms limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or for fraud. Otherwise, our liability in connection with a rental is limited to the total amount paid for that rental.

15. Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Seychelles, and the courts of Seychelles have exclusive jurisdiction.