Driving in Egypt

Regardless of the length of your stay in Egypt, you will probably want to drive. In case you are making a short stay in the country, you will require an international driver's license. However, the international driver's license is valid for three months only. Beyond this period, you will have to apply for an Egyptian driver's license provided you are the holder of a resident permit. Make sure to inquire on relating procedures beforehand so as to know which documents will be needed.

Procedures

Foreign nationals who are making a short stay in the country will require an international driver's license to be allowed to drive. Note that the international driver's license is valid for a maximum of three months in the country. Beyond this limit and provided you are the holder of a resident permit, you will need an Egyptian driver's license.

Application has to be made at the nearest Central Traffic Bureau to your place of residence by producing the following:

• your passport (containing your long stay visa in Egypt)
• your original driver's license
• a translation of your driver's license in Arabic (delivered by an accredited translator)
• 4 passport-size identity photos
• a health certificate proving that you are fit to drive (issued by an Egyptian doctor).

Driving test

If you are a resident in Egypt, you may apply for a local driver's license. To take part in the driving test, you are required to register at the nearest Road Traffic Branch to your place of residence. Note that examinations are also held there. You are also required to produce a valid work permit along with other documents.

However, registration with a driving school is not compulsory. In fact, you are free to choose whether or not you wish to hire an individual tutor for your driving lessons. Therefore, you may also take part in the driving test with a private vehicle rather than a driving school vehicle.

Road traffic regulations

In Egypt, speed is limited at 100 km/h outside urban areas. In urban areas, it is limited at 90 km/h.

You are likely to come across speed cameras on highways, especially those starting from Cairo.

Wearing the seat belt is compulsory at the front, but not in the rear. However, you are advised to wear it, whether you are the driver or a passenger.

You are advised to be careful while traveling along Egyptian roads as accidents are quite frequent in the country. At night, extra caution is recommended as many drivers tend to drive without switching on their vehicle's headlights.

In case of breach of the road traffic regulations, your driver's license may be confiscated by the police officer. You will then have to fetch it at the nearest post office. However, this might not be as simple as it seems. In fact, you will have to pay a fine and fill in some formalities before being allowed to drive again.

Useful links:

Expat.com ' Transportation in Egypt Forum