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Posted by CB (Member # 16645) on :

I have a UK driving licence. Does anyone know if I need to get an international driving licence to drive in Egypt? This may sound like a stupid question, but someone has just told me my UK licence will be enough.
Also, can this be sorted in the UK or in Egypt?
Thanks!

Posted by Ford Prefect (not perfect) (Member # 9338) on :

yes, no, maybe [Big Grin]

You'll probably be fine, but you could get the international one for insurance. You will get the international license in the same country you obtained your normal license.

I had an international one with me, but at most police checkpoints my passport and car registration card was good enough.

Posted by GM44 (Member # 13971) on :

better get the international one (just in case!)
if you are catched for speeding, you can pay a fine of LE 150 right away. (doesn't matter 5 or more km's too fast!) Before, if you had an international driving license, the police would take the car license.

Posted by CB (Member # 16645) on :

Thank you!

Posted by ** Ahmad** (Member # 16703) on :

quote:
Originally posted by CB:
I have a UK driving license. Does anyone know if I need to get an international driving license to drive in Egypt? This may sound like a stupid question, but someone has just told me my UK license will be enough.
Also, can this be sorted in the UK or in Egypt?
Thanks!

No,you must get an international driving license.
and believe me if you were the Michael Schumacher ,you would not be able to drive safely in Cairo streets [Smile]

I mean it.

Posted by GM44 (Member # 13971) on :

I am driving in Cairo and to/in Hurgada. I am living in Egypt for 10 years, first started to drive in Hurghada, then in the evenings in Cairo. Since two years I live most of the year in Cairo and drive anywhere, I never had any accident in Egypt (al hamdu illah). My car has only the "Egyptian normal" damages: from parking and idiots scratching the car with keys etc.
BTW: I am from Holland

Posted by Ausipeet (Member # 16653) on :

sorry but have to add my worthless five cents to this topic i coudnt resist...

You have to be frigging mad to want to drive in EGYPT Let alone Cairo. i seen with my own eyes the sheer madness that is Cairo drivers six cars across on a three lane highway and no one giving way to anyone yet every one gets to wher they want to get to and then the pedestriens??????? every time you take a step out of your front door you place your live in the hands of the drivers there.
So why in tarnation would you want to go to Cairo and Drive do the right thing be safe and let the Taxi drivers earn thier money.
As for an international Licence YES you will need one after years away from your home country you will not be covered by insurance and such so get your international license and pray to your god that you make it thru the two months you are there.

Ausipeet a egyptian by heart.
Insha'Allah

Posted by ** Ahmad** (Member # 16703) on :

quote:
Originally posted by GM44:
I am driving in Cairo and to/in Hurgada. I am living in Egypt for 10 years, first started to drive in Hurghada, then in the evenings in Cairo. Since two years I live most of the year in Cairo and drive anywhere, I never had any accident in Egypt (al hamdu illah). My car has only the "Egyptian normal" damages: from parking and idiots scratching the car with keys etc.
BTW: I am from Holland

Do you like driving in Cairo or is it driving you nuts?

Posted by GM44 (Member # 13971) on :

I don't like to drive in Cairo, I am always glad when I am on the Sokhna road! But I can handle!
But what I hate most that a lot of drivers (driving on the most right lane) "suddenly" decide that they have to take this U-turn, all the other cars have to stop because of them! Think ahead is not in their mind at all!

Posted by Thebaroudeur (Member # 16715) on :

I can drive but never bothered to pass a test. Next September I am in Egypt to study Arabic. will it be possible for me to pass my driving licence in Cairo?
I am a French citizen.

Posted by ** Ahmad** (Member # 16703) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Thebaroudeur:
I can drive but never bothered to pass a test. Next September I am in Egypt to study Arabic. will it be possible for me to pass my driving licence in Cairo?
I am a French citizen.

if you do not bother ,so why do you to ask? [Smile]

Posted by Thebaroudeur (Member # 16715) on :

I can drive but never had the time and/or money to pass a test.

Next September I am in Egypt to learn Arabic. Will it be possible for me to pass my driving licence in Cairo? I am a French citizen.

Posted by GM44 (Member # 13971) on :

I think, with the help of an Egyptian, it is possible. Do you have your french driving licence?
Then it is much easier. (at least that was it for me, 10 years ago, my husband was with me, just a little round on the police terrain and because I had already a Dutch licence I didn't have to do the written exam)

Posted by ** Ahmad** (Member # 16703) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Thebaroudeur:
I can drive but never had the time and/or money to pass a test.

Next September I am in Egypt to learn Arabic. Will it be possible for me to pass my driving licence in Cairo? I am a French citizen.

OK!

you are coming to Egypt in the rush Hour!
It is summer all people will be out there to have their driving license too,
so you will have to wait in these rows that looks like snakes [Wink]

.
If you have some extra free time ,go do it!
or just do the exam in your country .
If i were you I would have it in my country,what makes me do it in this weather(weather forecasting this year says it will not be less than 38 at best expectations).
If you are going to the local driving license read the lines below.
You can not do the test every day.
it is only one day every week(I guess it is tuesday)and If you fail????
If you fail you have to wait the so called waiting period(which 3 monthes),fail again ,you go to the black list and wait 1 year.
So better get an international driving license in your country.
Or wait in the snake rows in Egypt.
To be completely frank,it may be your lucky day and find your self the only one going to take it that day(it happens!)or find little people taking the exam(This will probably happen in 25/8 because of Ramadan)All people will be fasting and will not be able to go out in this hot weather.
does this answers the question??

Posted by CB (Member # 16645) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Ausipeet:
sorry but have to add my worthless five cents to this topic i coudnt resist...

You have to be frigging mad to want to drive in EGYPT Let alone Cairo. i seen with my own eyes the sheer madness that is Cairo drivers six cars across on a three lane highway and no one giving way to anyone yet every one gets to wher they want to get to and then the pedestriens??????? every time you take a step out of your front door you place your live in the hands of the drivers there.
So why in tarnation would you want to go to Cairo and Drive do the right thing be safe and let the Taxi drivers earn thier money.
As for an international Licence YES you will need one after years away from your home country you will not be covered by insurance and such so get your international license and pray to your god that you make it thru the two months you are there.

Ausipeet a egyptian by heart.
Insha'Allah

Ausipeet, your five cents is certainly not worthless! I spent sometime lost in Cairo, and when the search party found me, I had to run across many a crazy road, so I know there is no way I would ever drive there! Apart from which I am completely useless with direction, and still manage to get lost in my home town! But I am not going to Cairo, and probably will only drive occasionally, in much quieter areas. I just like to be prepared!! But, thank you for the advice, and I will now get an international licence before I get to where I am going.