Cape Town Travel Forum

Please can anyone tell me if you need an international driving licence to drive in South Africa (Cape Town & the Kruger). I already have a full UK driving licence (with 3 penalty points. Thanks

It is not necessary

If your licence is in one of our official languages (English is valid) and carries your photo, then your licence is good for here.

If you want to drive outside of South Africa, some places require an International Driving Permit. The IDP is available at some larger Post Offices:

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump1?catId=19100187&mediaId=19100195

They cost Ģ5.50. You need a photo and licence. It takes about 1 minute.

You donīt need it...

Unfortunately mine is written in spanish so I had to get the International license for my trip next march..

When the Police in Mozambique tried to rob me the second time (said I was speeding when I was not), I handed over my IDP. I then told them I only had travellers cheques. They told me they would hold my documents until I went into town and got cash and returned to pay the fine.

The IDP was about $7 and the fine was $60. That was 2005.

I guess they still have it.....

I speak under correction, but I always thought that if you were travelling outside your licence country of issue, then an international drivers licence was a neccessity...They are cheap and easy to arrange.I would get one if I was going to be driving in South Africa.

Better safe than sorry

regards

Mike

A little story . . .

During a visit to Germany, I was a front-seat passenger in my English colleague's car, with him seated to my right behind the steering wheel. We get stopped in roadblock and a young blonde officer comes to my window (seeing that I am in the the typical German driver's seat) and asks for my licence. I could see two senior officers laughing in the background. Deftly show her my South African licence card, she looks at the front and back, says thanks and have a good evening!

An IDL is not an Official Document, it is a translation tool. A Drivers Licence is issued by Governments. The IDL is issued by Clubs and Associations and has nor Official status.

That is a funny story Gerald

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/idp-requirements-by-country.html

While the AA makes money off selling IDP's, they are going to advise you to get one for every country under the sun. I have hired cars in many of their listed countries with only my SA licence.

DAO, interesting site. I see The AA recommends an IDP for Canada. Sales and Marketing at its finest.

Saved me $57. I'm not advocating anything one way or the other. Its like Yellow Fever certificates. You get some official on a bad day of a government in need of money and the never enforced rules may get enforced one day. I carry one (out of date now) as an extra ID for numerous reasons.

Canada? Have you ever seen a moose?

Sorry! Just realised you are from Vancouver big time. Other drivers going to Canada need to watch out for these massive guys.

There are international agreements (under the auspices of the United Nations) on cross-border travel with motor vehicles, the most notable being the Vienna Convention of 1968. This covers the recognition of roadworthy standards, markings, driver licencing, etc. (I once was involved with an issue of speedometer accuracy which was also decided there).

Here is a nice synopsis on IDP's:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Driving_Permit

Is that the one that recommends Iraq, Somalia and Brazil as places to have the IDL?

Landmines, druggies with guns,lack of roads. Its a universal cure-all!

:-)