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Mauritius to Reintroduce 15-Point Licence System After Safety Slide
The Mauritian government is set to reintroduce a rigorous penalty point system for drivers, alongside a significant increase in fines for the most serious road traffic offences, in a bid to curb “carelessness and irresponsibility” on the nation’s roads.
New Bill Targets Dangerous Driving
The Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill is scheduled for its first reading in the Mauritian Parliament on Tuesday, December 2. The legislation marks the return of the ‘Permis à points’ system, which previously showed effectiveness between 2012 and 2015, and is intended to “instil a culture of more responsible driving.”
The new penalty point scheme will replace the current cumulative system for infractions and will apply to all drivers, regardless of whether they hold a provisional, standard, or international licence.
Strict Point Ceilings and Automatic Disqualification
The mechanism imposes strict maximum point limits over a 36-month period, which is the duration points remain active:
- Provisional Licence Holders: Maximum of 10 points.
- Standard or International Licence Holders: Maximum of 15 points.
Upon conviction for an offence, a court will require the presentation of a Penalty Points Certificate, with the points being applied in addition to other sanctions like fines or imprisonment. If multiple offences occur simultaneously, only the highest point total, corresponding to the most serious infraction, will be counted.
Exceeding the maximum point ceiling triggers automatic disqualification from driving, with durations varying by licence type:
- Standard/International Licence: Disqualification for 6 to 12 months.
- Novice (Provisional) Drivers: Licence cancellation and a ban on obtaining a new licence for the same period.
- Non-Licence Holders: A ban on obtaining a licence for 12 to 24 months.
In all cases of disqualification, a mandatory rehabilitation course must be completed before a licence can be recovered or obtained.
Tougher Sanctions for Repeat Offenders and Stiffer Fines
The sanctions are significantly harsher for repeat offenders: a second disqualification within 36 months of the first could lead to a court-ordered permanent licence cancellation.
In a strict measure, the project also creates a new offence for failing to surrender one’s licence within five days of a court order, punishable by a fine ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 and up to 12 months in prison.
Monetary penalties for the most egregious offences have also been greatly increased:
- Previous Fines for dangerous driving or driving under the influence causing serious injury or death ranged from Rs 75,000 to Rs 100,000.
- New Fines for these offences will be between Rs 200,000 and Rs 500,000.
Points Redemption and Rehabilitation Opportunities
The new strictness is tempered by a “points redemption” mechanism, available only to standard or international licence holders:
- A driver who has accumulated 10 to 14 points may apply to the court to “buy back” up to three points after completing an approved rehabilitation course.
- Once a driver exceeds 15 points, no redemption is possible, and any new request is subject to a 36-month waiting period.
Focus on Road Safety Culture and Infrastructure
The decision to restore the point system is supported by statistics showing a decrease in fatal accidents during its initial run from 2012 to 2015 (falling from 156 deaths in 2012 to 136 in 2013).
The authorities noted that the system’s replacement in July 2015 “weakened the fear factor that helped prevent dangerous behaviour,” leading to a deterioration in road safety.
The bill is part of a broader road safety strategy, which includes:
- Implementing a Graduated Licensing Scheme for learner drivers.
- Targeted improvements to infrastructure, such as better-lit pedestrian crossings, more visible road markings, safety barriers, and the creation of reduced speed zones (30-40 km/h).
- Scheduled safety inspections on approximately 150 km of motorways and major routes to identify and correct risks.
- Interventions planned for 11 accident black spots.
- Systematic safety audits for all new road projects.
🚦Driver’s License Point System and Sanctions (Mauritius)
Point Ceilings
| Type of License | Maximum Points over 36 Months |
| Provisional | 10 points |
| Standard/International | 15 points |
| Point Activation Period: | 36 months |
Schedule of Infractions
| Infraction | Points |
| Mobile phone while driving | 3 to 6 |
| Speeding >25 km/h | 4 to 6 |
| Not wearing a motorcycle helmet | 2 to 4 |
| Transporting persons in the loading zone (double cab) | 3 to 6 |
| Failure to respect the right of way | 3 to 6 |
| Overtaking at a pedestrian crossing | 4 to 6 |
| Unauthorized racing | 8 to 10 |
Sanctions: Disqualification and Rehabilitation
| Situation | Sanction |
| Standard/International License | 6 to 12 months of disqualification |
| Provisional License | Cancellation of the license + impossibility of re-obtaining one for 6 to 12 months |
| Person without a license | Prohibition from obtaining a license for 12 to 24 months |
| Compulsory rehabilitation to recover the license | |
| Repeat offenders: 2nd disqualification within 36 months – license definitively cancelled |
Higher Fines
| Infraction | Old Fines | New Fines |
| Reckless/dangerous driving causing serious injury or death – Art. 123B(1A) | Rs 75,000 – 100,000 | Rs 200,000 – 500,000 |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs causing serious injury or death – Art. 123D(1A) | Rs 75,000 – 100,000 | Rs 200,000 – 500,000 |
| Failure to surrender license within 5 days | Rs 10,000 – 50,000 + up to 12 months imprisonment |
Source: Defi Media