So, I had to get a new driver’s license recently, and since I’m living in Mozambique now, it had to be a Mozambican one. Man, let me tell you, it was a bit of a process, but I figured I’d share my experience in case any of you are in the same boat.
First things first, I had to find a driving school. Yeah, even though I’ve been driving for years, you gotta go through a licensed school here to get your first license. I enrolled in one and had to take some mandatory lessons based on the license type I was going for. Nothing too crazy, just refreshing the basics and getting used to the local rules of the road. There are so many different driving schools in Mozambique that I had a hard time picking one, you know?
Next up, I needed a medical certificate. It’s a basic check-up to make sure you’re fit to drive. After that I felt like my body was still in a good condition, I went to a local clinic, got the once-over, and walked out with the certificate in hand. Easy peasy.
Then came the actual application. Since I already had a license from back home, I thought it’d be simpler, but nope, still had to go through most of the steps. I gathered all my documents – passport, residency permit, medical certificate, proof of driving school lessons, and of course, the application form, which you can pick up at the INATTER offices.
Test Time
With all my paperwork in order, I went to the local INATTER office (that’s the National Institute of Road Transport, like the DMV back home) and submitted my application. I paid the fees, which were around 2,185 meticais, if I remember correctly. Then, I had to schedule the tests.
First, there was the written test, all about traffic laws and road signs. I studied a bit beforehand, but it was mostly common sense stuff. Passed that no problem. Then, the big one – the driving test. I was a bit nervous, not gonna lie, even though I’ve been driving for a while. It’s different when you’re being evaluated, you know?
I hopped in the car with the examiner, did my best to follow all the rules, parallel parked like a pro, and hoped for the best. And guess what? I passed! The examiner told me right then and there, which was a relief. Finally got this thing!
After that, it was just a matter of waiting for the actual license to be processed and printed. It took a couple of weeks, but finally, I got a call to pick it up. Holding that brand-new Mozambican driver’s license in my hand was a pretty good feeling.
Get an International Driving Permit
One more thing, if you’re planning on driving outside of Mozambique with this license, you might want to get an International Driving Permit (IDP). It’s basically a translation of your license into multiple languages and is recognized in many countries. Applying for the IDP is pretty easy if you have a valid Mozambican license, and it can save you some hassle when renting a car or dealing with traffic police abroad.
So yeah, that’s my story of getting a driver’s license in Mozambique. It wasn’t too painful, just a bit of bureaucracy and waiting around. If you have to go through this process, don’t stress too much. Just follow the steps, be patient, and you’ll be cruising around Mozambique in no time!
Hope this helps someone out there! Let me know if you have any questions.