Djibouti: Driver’s licences, including the authorities that issue them, their validity period, and the requirements and procedure for obtaining one (2014-July 2016)
1. Licensing Authority
In correspondence sent to the Research Directorate, a representative of the Embassy of Djibouti in Washington, DC stated that the Ministry of Interior is responsible for issuing driver’s licences in Djibouti (Djibouti 29 June 2016). In correspondence sent to the Research Directorate, a lawyer in Djibouti stated that [translation] “the Mines Branch, which is under the control of the Ministry of Interior,” issues the driver’s licences (lawyer 29 June 2016).
According to the representative of the Embassy of Djibouti in Washington, DC, the driver’s licences are issued only in Djibouti (Djibouti 29 June 2016). The representative specified that “Djibouti [e]mbassies abroad cannot issue them, the Embassy can only authenticate the document and translate the content of Djibouti driver licenses” (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
2. Licence Categories, Minimum Age and Validity Period
A study on the driving school instructor occupation produced by the Djibouti Advanced Institute of Affairs (Institut supérieur des affaires de Djibouti) and available on the Internet site of the Djibouti Ministry of Economy and Finance provides the following information concerning the various categories of licences:
[translation]
Categories of licences
(Djibouti Ministry of Economy and Finance)
| Type |
Vehicle |
Minimum age |
| A licence |
Motor tricycles and quadricycles (AT), light motorcycles (AC), motorcycles (A) |
16 years of age |
| B licence |
Vehicles with less than 10 seats and a gross vehicle weight that is less than or equal to 3.5 tonnes |
18 years of age |
| C licence |
Load-carrying vehicles with a gross vehicle weight that is more than 3.5 tonnes (heavy vehicle) |
21 years of age |
| D licence |
Public transit vehicles with more than 9 seats or that transport more than 9 people |
21 years of age |
| E licence |
- All category B vehicles with a gross vehicle weight that is more than 3.5 tonnes or with a gross trailer weight that is less than the empty weight of the truck
- All “married” vehicles with a truck that falls under the category of a trailer with a gross vehicle weight that is less than 750 kg
|
21 years of age |
| F licence |
Vehicles designed for people with disabilities |
18 years of age |
(Pôle universitaire de Djibouti n.d., sec. II).
There are several differences in the information that is provided on the Internet site of the Public Register of Authentic Travel and Identity Documents Online (PRADO), a European Union (EU) agency, specifying the validity period for the various categories of licences but omitting vehicle descriptions:
[translation]
Categories of licences
(Public Register of Authentic Travel and Identity Documents Online - PRADO)
| Type |
Minimum age |
Validity period |
| A1 |
16 years of age |
indefinite |
| A |
18 years of age |
indefinite |
| B |
18 years of age |
indefinite |
| C |
18 years of age |
5 years, renewable |
| D |
21 years of age |
2 years (renewable) for holders who are 21 to 44 years of age, and 1 year (renewable) for holders who are 45 years of age or older |
| F |
18 years of age |
indefinite |
(EU n.d.).
The lawyer and the embassy representative both stated that Djiboutian driver’s licence does not expire, but did not specify a licence category (Djibouti 29 June 2016; lawyer 29 June 2016).
3. Format and Physical Appearance
The file on Djiboutian driver’s licences available on the PRADO Internet site provides information on the format and physical appearance of the driver’s licence (EU n.d.). The file is attached to this Response.
4. Requirements and Procedure
According to the lawyer, to obtain a driver’s licence, [translation] “applicants must register with a private state-approved school to learn how to drive and driving regulations” (ibid.). The study prepared by the Djibouti Advanced Institute of Affairs also states that in order to obtain a driver’s licence, applicants must take a theory course with a driving school, but that it [translation] “it is not mandatory to go through a driving school to learn how to drive” (Pôle universitaire de Djibouti n.d., sec. II).
According to the representative of the Embassy of Djibouti in Washington, DC, applicants must present their national ID card to obtain a driver’s licence (Djibouti 29 June 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
The study conducted by the Djibouti Advanced Institute of Affairs describes what is required to take a driving test:
[translation]
To take a driving test, applicants must file an application with the District, and include the following:
- six photos
- two revenue stamps worth 500 DJF [Djibouti francs, approximately C$4]
- one administrative certificate (issued by the District of Djibouti)
- one medical certificate [issued by] the Peltier Hospital, Thursday morning, cost 4,000 DJF [approximately C$29]
- a photocopy of one piece of ID
- 7,000 DJF [approximately C$51] (a receipt will be provided by the District) (Pôle universitaire de Djibouti n.d., sec. V).
Corroborating information or further information on the requirements and procedure for obtaining a driver’s licence could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Djibouti. 29 June 2016. Embassy in Washington, DC. Correspondence sent to the Research Directorate by a representative.
European Union (EU). N.d. Public Register of Authentic Travel and Identity Documents Online (PRADO). “Document: DJI-FO-01001.” [Accessed 29 July 2016]
Lawyer in Djibouti. 29 June 2016. Correspondence sent to the Research Directorate.
Pôle universitaire de Djibouti. N.d. Institut supérieur des affaires de Djibouti. Collection “Études de métiers” : Auto-école. [Accessed 5 July 2016]
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral sources: Lawyers in Djibouti; Djibouti – Embassy in Brussels, Embassy in Paris, Honorary Consul in Montreal.
Internet sites, including: Djibouti – Présidence de la République; easyexpat.com; ecoi.net; EdisonTD; expat.com; Keesing Reference Systems; United Nations – Refworld.
Attachment
European Union (EU). N.d. Public Register of Authentic Travel and Identity Documents Online (PRADO). “Document: DJI-FO-01001.” [Accessed 29 July 2016]