To Get an Ethiopian Driving Licence if you Have a Foreign One

Guide from Kimani wa Mumbi

If you happen to visit Ethiopia, and you need to drive, you will need your DL changed to the local one. They do not recognise foreign ones or the International DL. Crazy place, isn't it?

I suffered a lot being from Kenya and not living near the capital, I lost a lot of money moving back and forth from Addis to Nazret. 

This is what you do:
First, go to your embassy with your DL, passport, and three photocopies of your DL, and have them write a letter indicating the equivalence of your DL to the Ethiopian one. Make sure they give you the right level. Here they have 5 grades or levels, grade 5 being the highest. Also make sure the people at the embassy indicate the weight of the vehicles you can drive, on whatever grade they give you. (I had to go back to my embassy because the guy there had just indicated the grade and had forgotten to also include the weight). At the Kenya embassy (near the Bulgaria, UK embassies), you can get that letter the same day after paying an equivalent of 10 USD (or 170 Birr).

After that, take your sorry ass to a place called Kasanchez where we have a branch of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Move as fast as you can from your embassy because there is usually a line as long as the Nile (the people at your embassy should give you – if you ask – all the details and directions to the places you need to go). One thing you should know is that at Kasanchez they go for a “tea” break at 11:00 am and only return to work at 1:00 pm. Whether the tea they drink has bones, no one really knows. It is orderly there because we have several cops at the gate. When you get in the people tell you to sit in the waiting lounge or hall, or whatever (so do not drag yourself!) When you go to the counters, or tellers, you will be required to pay 17-20 USD or around 300 Birr. They will look at the photocopies of your DL which have already been stamped at your embassy and the letters from you embassy (two original copies of the same letter), and they will stamp one of the letters, and you will then proceed to go to a place called Kaliti.

If you are new to an area, the best way is to practise what your English teacher taught you: asking directions. I never get lost anywhere as long as I am not dumb at any particular moment – and I have travelled far and wide. Do not be afraid – people in Addis Ababa, including drivers, they speak English! 

And so to Kaliti we are headed. Kaliti is on your way to Nazret and Shashamane, and Moyale, et al. Do not go all the way to the bus station. There is some “institute” for training and testing drivers and mechanics. It is about 600 meters from the bus station so I repeat – do not wait until you reach the bus station at Kaliti. Right after a place called Sarece – read [saris] – you will find a huge roundabout and right after that roundabout is the institute, on your left.

If you are a foreigner, do not be dumb! Always carry your passport whenever you have to deal with local officials. I saw a lady being told to go get her passport after waiting for like two hours. Always have it, and have like three copies of it – they love photocopies, don't they!

O, back to the institute! Ask around for the right office to go, and hurry – here you will also find a multitude! I think it serves the whole country. You might also be guided by looking at where foreigners seem to be going. When you get into that office turn right and spot a small office behind those who might be standing there. Buy a stamp and a form and fill it in with the help of a local – it is all in Greek! Oops – I mean Amharic. After that you will not be too dumb to ask for whom to give it to. And you might pay as much as or half of what you paid at Kasanchez. I guess it all depends on the grade and the period. I guess that helps! Ciao! And drive safe!