The road tax in Mauritius is frequently updated, but it is calculated according to precise rules. The Motor Vehicle Licence, often called a "declaration", is paid to the NTA, and the online service is processed through MauPass.nlta.govmu.org)
The amount depends primarily on the type of vehicle, engine size or power, number of seats or weight, and the chosen duration: 3, 6, or 12 months. The official rates were updated as of July 1, 2025, with specific rules for hybrids, electric vehicles, and certain company cars.
The island's broader fiscal framework is achieved through the MRA, but the road tax itself remains a traffic procedure managed by the NTA. In the case of a vehicle owned by a company, the consistency of the file may also depend on the CBRD and of the Registrar of Companies and Businesses. (mra.mu)
Road tax in Mauritius: what exactly are we talking about?
In practice, the road tax is one of the three things you should never confuse with a car in Mauritius: the vehicle license, insurance, and registration documents. Without a valid road tax license, the vehicle should not be driven. If you buy a used vehicle, the bill of sale must first be registered with the Registrar-General's Department within 15 days, then the transfer goes to the NTA with the complete file.nlta.govmu.org)
If you've just arrived and are still getting your bearings with driving on the left, insurance, and local customs, our guide to driving in Mauritius can save you time.
How to calculate the road tax
For the most common cars, the NTA publishes a clear table by engine size and duration. You can therefore estimate the amount without a complicated formula, provided you read the correct line and choose the appropriate payment period. The amounts below correspond to the categories most commonly used by expatriates and new residents.
- Identify the official vehicle category, for example, private car, company car, taxi, motorcycle, bus, or utility vehicle. (govmu.org)
- Check whether the vehicle is registered in the name of an individual, a company, or a trade name, as the fee changes. (govmu.org)
- Choose the renewal period, either 3 months, 6 months or 12 months, then apply the corresponding amount.
- Before paying, make sure that no outstanding traffic tickets are blocking the renewal, especially since the 2026 budget measures.govmu.org)
Practical scale for the most common cars
The amounts below are taken from the 2025-2026 budget annex and the NTA MVL grid displayed from July 1, 2025. The rates may change with a future budget, so you should always check the version in effect at the time of payment.nlta.govmu.org)
| Category | Threshold | 3 months | 6 months | 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger car, dual-purpose vehicle, double cab pickup | 1,250 cc and less | Rs 1,400 | Rs 2,500 | Rs 4,500 |
| Passenger car, dual-purpose vehicle, double cab pickup | 1,251 cc to 1,600 cc | Rs 1,500 | Rs 2,700 | Rs 5,000 |
| Passenger car, dual-purpose vehicle, double cab pickup | 1,601 cc to 1,850 cc | Rs 3,000 | Rs 5,500 | Rs 10,000 |
| Passenger car, dual-purpose vehicle, double cab pickup | 1.851 cc to 2.250 cc | Rs 3,600 | Rs 6,600 | Rs 12,000 |
| Passenger car, dual-purpose vehicle, double cab pickup | Above 2,250 cc | Rs 4,600 | Rs 8,300 | Rs 15,000 |
| Car registered in the name of a company or trade name | 1,250 cc and less | Rs 1,700 | Rs 3,000 | Rs 5,500 |
| Car registered in the name of a company or trade name | 1,251 cc to 1,600 cc | Rs 1,800 | Rs 3,300 | Rs 6,000 |
| Car registered in the name of a company or trade name | 1,601 cc to 1,850 cc | Rs 3,600 | Rs 6,600 | Rs 12,000 |
| Car registered in the name of a company or trade name | 1.851 cc to 2.250 cc | Rs 4,400 | Rs 8,000 | Rs 14,500 |
| Car registered in the name of a company or trade name | Above 2,250 cc | Rs 5,300 | Rs 9,600 | Rs 17,500 |
Hybrids and electric vehicles are now aligned with their corresponding conventional class. The NTA also maintains the option to pay for 3 or 6 months, which is useful if you don't want to tie up your budget for an entire year. (govmu.org)
For other categories, the logic remains the same, but the tax rates change. Taxis, motorcycles and tricycles, buses, goods vehicles, and visitors have their own thresholds. For example, a taxi with an engine capacity of up to 1,600 cc is taxed at Rs 1,200 for 12 months, while a motorcycle pays according to its engine size, from Rs 800 to Rs 1,600 per year. (govmu.org)
If your car is over 7 years old, the fitness issue becomes a key part of the case, and our article on mandatory technical inspection in Mauritius details the practical rationale.
Where to pay road tax in Mauritius?
The NTA indicates that payment is made at the Head Office in Cassis. For private vehicles without any other associated license, payment can also be made at the Vehicle Examination Centre in Forest Side, at certain District Cash Offices, and at Post Offices. Late payments and payments after a non-renewal period are handled exclusively at the Head Office and the Forest Side VEC, while vehicles subject to another license, such as taxis, contract cars, contract buses, and goods vehicles, are processed only at the Head Office.
- Log in to the NTA's MVL system with MauPass.ntaeservices.govmu.org)
- Enter the vehicle registration number and chassis number.helpdesk.govmu.org)
- Enter your insurance information, choose the renewal period and pay by credit card.
- Then download your MVL once the payment has been validated.
If you are still new to local driving rules, our guide to driving in Mauritius This approach complements it well.
Documents to prepare
- The vehicle registration book.
- A valid insurance certificate.
- A test certificate or fitness certificate if the private car or motorcycle is more than 7 years old.
- A certificate of fitness if the vehicle is a public service vehicle or a goods vehicle.
- Online, also keep your registration number, chassis number, insurance dates and a valid bank card handy.
If your car falls within the fitness perimeter, our article on mandatory technical inspection helps you understand when the document becomes essential.
Late payment, penalty and inability to travel
Regarding the delay, official sources agree on a 50% surcharge after the grace period. The NTA's procedure page indicates that a late renewal incurs this penalty, and a parliamentary response clarifies that it remains possible to renew without penalty for 15 days after the expiry date, before the 50% surcharge applies thereafter. In practice, the correct approach is therefore to treat the expiry date as a strict deadline.
If you do not wish to renew, you must notify the Road Transport Commissioner by registered mail before the expiry date. The NTA also specifies that, for a new owner of an unlicensed vehicle, the notification period is 7 days from the date of taking possession if you do not intend to obtain a license.
If the vehicle does not have a valid motor vehicle licence, it cannot be driven on public roads. To move it temporarily, for example for repairs or an inspection, a removal permit must be obtained from the NTA Head Office or the VEC in Forest Side, along with valid insurance for the days in question. The permit can be issued for a maximum of three days and costs Rs 300 per day.
Since the 2026-2027 budget measures, the renewal of a Motor Vehicle Licence may also be conditional upon payment of any outstanding traffic fines. For details on the fine scale and the points system, please see our guide on fines, penalties, and penalty points.
Special cases for expatriates and company vehicles
If the vehicle is registered in the name of a company, the process can begin with the proper registration of the entity with the CBRD or Registrar of Companies and Businesses, then proceed to the NTA for the vehicle registration certificate. The purchase and transfer file also remains linked to the Registrar-General's Department for the registration of the deeds.companies.govmu.org)
Visitor vehicles also have their own set of rules. A motor car belonging to someone on a temporary visit of at least one week is taxed monthly, at Rs 1,500 per month in Mauritius, and a visitor's motorcycle at Rs 800 per month. (govmu.org)
In a larger installation, other ticket counters may come into play. The’EDB intervenes in certain aspects of investment, the PIO regarding residence permits, the Civil Status Office on civil status records and the MQA on qualifications or equivalencies. For broader practical guidance, see page Expat Guides Mauritius can serve as a starting point.edbmauritius.org)
FAQ about road tax in Mauritius
How is the road tax calculated in Mauritius for my vehicle and what factors influence the amount?
The road tax depends first on the vehicle category, then on meeting the relevant technical criteria. For a passenger car, the engine is classified by displacement, while other vehicles are classified by weight, seating capacity, or power. The same vehicle can also cost more if it is registered in the name of a company or under a trade name. Finally, the chosen duration also matters, as the NTA offers renewals of 3, 6, or 12 months.
Where and how to pay the road tax in Mauritius and what documents are required?
Payment can be made at the NTA Head Office in Cassis. For private vehicles without another license, the NTA also accepts payment at the Forest Side VEC, some District Cash Offices, and Post Offices. To pay, you generally need the vehicle registration book, valid insurance, and, depending on the vehicle, a fitness certificate or a test certificate. Online, the NTA system uses MauPass, the chassis number, and a credit card.
What are the penalties for late payment of road tax in Mauritius and how long do I have to pay?
Official sources state a penalty of 50% for exceeding the renewal deadline. A parliamentary response clarifies that a 15-day grace period after the expiry date remains possible without penalty, after which the surcharge applies. The safest course of action is therefore to renew before the expiry date printed on your license. If you do not intend to renew, inform the Road Transport Commissioner by registered mail before the expiry date.
What happens if I don't pay the road tax in Mauritius?
If the license is not valid, the vehicle must not be driven on public roads. To move it temporarily, for example to a garage or inspection center, a removal permit must be obtained from the NTA, along with insurance appropriate for the duration of the removal. The permit is limited to a maximum of three days. Since the 2026-2027 budget measures, renewal can also be blocked as long as certain traffic fines remain unpaid.
Does the road tax in Mauritius vary according to the tax horsepower or the type of vehicle?
Yes, clearly. In Mauritius, road tax varies according to engine size, power, weight, number of seats, and the owner's status. This is why a private car, a taxi, a motorcycle, a bus, or a goods vehicle are not subject to the same tax rates. Since the update of July 1, 2025, hybrid and electric vehicles have been subject to the same classification system as their corresponding conventional vehicles. (govmu.org)
And now ?
If you are preparing to move to Mauritius, start by securing the correct vehicle category, the correct renewal period, and all the necessary documents. Then, proceed step by step with your other daily life tasks, and then return to the homepage of EXPAT MAURITIUS when you need an additional handy reference point.
