Okay, so, I wanted to get a Suriname driving license, and let me tell you, it was a bit of a journey. I figured I’d share my experience here, just in case any of you are planning to do the same.
First off, I’m not a local, so I thought I’d just grab an International Driving Permit (IDP). Seemed like the easiest route, right? I did some digging online and it looked pretty straightforward. I found a few websites talking about it, all saying similar things.
I started by collecting all the documents they mentioned. You know, the usual stuff: my current valid driver’s license, an official translation of it into Dutch (yeah, Suriname used to be a Dutch colony, so that’s a thing), and my passport with a valid visa to show I’m in the country legally. Also, there’s an application form that you need to fill out. I found this form online, printed it out, and filled in all my details.

With all the paperwork ready, I figured I was good to go. But then I read somewhere that if you’re staying in Suriname for a longer period, just an IDP might not cut it. You actually need to apply for permission to drive in the country. And, of course, there’s a fee – SRD 150, to be exact.
Now, I was planning on staying for a while, so I thought, “Better safe than sorry.” I decided to go the whole nine yards and apply for a proper Suriname driving license. That meant I had to find the “Ministry of Transport.” Sounds very official, I know!
I tried asking around, but honestly, not many people seemed to know the exact process. I did hear from a guy who drove with a Guyana license that he got stopped by the police once, but he didn’t really give me any solid advice.
Eventually, I found the Ministry’s address online and just decided to go there in person. The place was, well, let’s just say it wasn’t exactly what I expected. But hey, I was there, so I went in and asked about getting a local driving license.
The process involved:
- Submitting my application: They had me submit that application form I filled out earlier, along with my original driver’s license, the Dutch translation, and my passport.
- Paying the fee: Yep, that SRD 150 I mentioned earlier. Had to pay it right then and there.
- Waiting: This was the hardest part. I had to wait for a few days while they processed everything.
After a few days, I got a call to go back to the Ministry. And guess what? I got my Suriname driving license! It wasn’t the quickest or smoothest process, but I got it done. I felt pretty proud of myself, not gonna lie.
So, if you’re planning to drive in Suriname, be prepared for a bit of an adventure. But hey, if I can do it, so can you! Just make sure you have all your documents in order, be ready to pay the fee, and be patient. Good luck!