Egypt (EG)
Egypt is one of the world's oldest civilisations — the land of the Pharaohs, the Great Pyramids of Giza, and the mighty Nile River.
Driving in Egypt
Licence exchange, road rules, fines, buying a car, and cycling.
Egypt drives on the right side of the road. Cairo traffic is among the world's most challenging — high density, inconsistent lane discipline, aggressive driving culture, frequent honking, and pedestrians crossing everywhere. Road accident rates are significantly higher than Western Europe. Defensive driving is essential. Outside Cairo, road quality varies — highways are generally good; rural roads may be poor. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is valid for 1 year from entry; after that, an Egyptian driving licence is required. Egypt has a growing electronic traffic enforcement system (NARS cameras on highways and major roads).
Driving Licence Exchange
International Driving Permits (IDP) issued by your home country's national motoring association (AAA in the USA, AA or RAC in the UK, or equivalent) are valid in Egypt for 1 year from entry. After the IDP expires (or 1 year from arrival, whichever is first), foreign nationals must obtain an Egyptian driving licence. Some nationalities with bilateral agreements can exchange directly; most nationalities must pass a theory and practical test at the Traffic Department (مرور / Mogamma El Morour).
EU licence holders need to pass the Egyptian theory test (available in Arabic; translation assistance available) and practical driving test at the Traffic Department. There is no automatic EU licence conversion — Egypt is not in any driving licence reciprocity agreement with the EU as of 2026. IDP from your EU country required for the transitional year.
Allow 4–8 weeks for the Egyptian driving licence process. Some expats use an agent (EGP 1,000–3,000 additional) to navigate the Traffic Department bureaucracy.
Must obtain an IDP in home country before travel. IDP valid 1 year in Egypt. After 1 year, must pass Egyptian theory test + practical test at Traffic Department (مرور) or use an agent-assisted process. GCC nationals (Saudi, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman) may have simplified exchange under bilateral agreements — check with Egyptian Traffic Department.
USA nationals: AAA or other automobile association issues IDP — valid in Egypt for 1 year. UK nationals: AA or RAC IDP valid for 1 year in Egypt. After that, Egyptian licence required via theory + practical test.
Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Libya
GCC and some Arab country licence holders may convert directly to an Egyptian licence under bilateral agreements without the full theory/practical test. Visit the Traffic Department with: passport, Iqama, home country driving licence, and medical fitness certificate. Verification of bilateral agreement status recommended before applying.
Requirements and applicable agreements change — always confirm current status directly with the Traffic Department (مصلحة المرور) before starting the process.
Road Rules
Urban areas: 60 km/h. Rural roads and secondary highways: 90 km/h. Highways (ring roads, desert roads): 100–120 km/h. Electronic speed cameras (NARS) are increasingly deployed on major highways. Speed limits enforced by fixed and mobile cameras — fines issued electronically.
Zero tolerance in practice. While the legal BAC limit technically exists, Egypt's Islamic law context means any alcohol before driving is unacceptable socially and legally. DUI results in arrest, vehicle impoundment, and criminal charges. As alcohol is prohibited for Muslims by religion, the practical enforcement is severe. Foreign nationals are not exempt.
Handheld mobile phone use while driving is prohibited. Fine: EGP 500–1,000. Hands-free is permitted. In practice, enforcement is inconsistent — you will see Egyptian drivers routinely using phones. Do not follow this example — you are more likely to be targeted as a foreign plate/IDP holder.
Mandatory for front seat occupants. Fine for non-compliance: EGP 500. Rear seatbelts are available in modern vehicles but enforcement of rear seat belt wearing is minimal. Children should be in appropriate child seats regardless of enforcement levels.
No specific Egyptian law mandating child seats in 2026, though this is under review. Best practice: use appropriate child car seats for all children. Child seat rental is available; purchase at major baby stores (Mothercare Egypt, Babyshop). Rear-facing for infants; forward-facing for toddlers; booster for older children. Heat storage in parked cars is extreme in Egyptian summers — never leave children or pets in parked vehicles.
No Low Emission Zones (LEZ) implemented in Egypt as of 2026. Cairo has significant air quality issues from vehicle emissions but no formal emission-based driving restrictions. Vehicle emission tests are conducted at annual inspection points.
Traffic Fines (Bußgeldkatalog)
Egypt introduced the NARS (National Automated Registration System) for electronic traffic enforcement. Fines are recorded electronically against the vehicle's licence plate and must be paid before licence renewal or vehicle registration. Pay fines via: Fawry kiosks, banking apps, or at Traffic Department offices. Unpaid fines accumulate and may prevent vehicle registration renewal. Expats driving rental cars are subject to the same system — rental companies may charge fines after return.
| Offence | Fine | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding (exceeding limit by 20–30 km/h) | EGP 200–500 | Points system under development |
| Speeding (exceeding limit by 30+ km/h) | EGP 500–2,000 | — |
| Running a red light | EGP 1,000 | Vehicle impoundment possible |
| No seatbelt (front seat) | EGP 500 | — |
| Mobile phone use while driving (handheld) | EGP 500–1,000 | — |
| Illegal parking | EGP 200–500 + vehicle towing possible | — |
| Driving without licence or IDP | EGP 1,000–3,000 + vehicle impoundment | — |
| Driving without insurance | EGP 1,000 + vehicle impoundment | — |
| DUI / drunk driving | Arrest + criminal charges + vehicle impoundment | — |
Buying a Car
Buying a car in Egypt as an expat is possible but comes with some complexity — you need a valid Iqama (residence permit) and the process can be bureaucratic. New cars from authorised dealers are straightforward. Used cars require careful inspection. Prices are typically quoted in EGP; imported vehicles are expensive due to high import tariffs (40–135% depending on engine size and origin). Local Egyptian-manufactured vehicles (Hyundai, KIA assembled in Egypt, some Chevrolet models) are cheaper.
- 1.Obtain a valid residence permit (Iqama) — required for vehicle registration in your name
- 2.Research: new car dealers (official showrooms for Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Chevrolet, BMW, Mercedes) or used car market (OLX Egypt, Hatla2ee.com, Syarah Egypt)
- 3.For used cars: have a trusted mechanic inspect before purchase; check for accident history
- 4.Agree price and obtain official receipt (official invoice required for tax registration)
- 5.Transfer of ownership at Traffic Department (مصلحة المرور) — both buyer and seller must attend
- 6.Pay vehicle registration fees and transfer taxes at Traffic Department
- 7.Purchase mandatory third-party insurance (can be obtained same day at insurer offices near Traffic Department)
- 8.Receive Egyptian number plates and registration certificate (licence disc)
- •Verify seller is the registered owner (ask to see the vehicle registration "Lisans" in Arabic)
- •Check for outstanding traffic fines (NARS system) — unpaid fines transfer with the vehicle
- •Confirm no outstanding loan against the vehicle (leasing companies must release a clearance letter)
- •Mechanical inspection: engine, brakes, AC (critical in Egypt), tyres, and electrical systems
- •Check for flood damage (unusual in Egypt but possible in Alexandria)
New car: EGP 300,000–1,500,000+ depending on brand and engine size. Import duties add 40–135%. Egyptian-assembled vehicles (Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage assembled in Egypt): EGP 350,000–600,000. Used car: EGP 100,000–500,000 for a reliable 3–7 year old vehicle. Registration fees: EGP 2,000–10,000 depending on engine size. Annual registration renewal: EGP 500–2,000.
Registration, Insurance & Tax
New registrations and transfers are processed at the Traffic Department (مصلحة المرور) — every governorate has one; Cairo expats typically use the Abbassiya or 6 October Traffic Department offices. Required: Iqama, passport, purchase invoice, insurance certificate, and vehicle inspection pass. Annual renewal (تجديد الترخيص): bring the current licence, proof of insurance, and pay the annual fee at the Traffic Department or via Fawry. Vehicle inspection (compulsory for vehicles over 3 years old): at licensed inspection centres (كراجات المرور).
Third-party liability insurance (تأمين الطرف الثالث) is mandatory for all vehicles in Egypt under the Motor Vehicles Act. Must be obtained from a licensed Egyptian insurer. Annual premium: EGP 1,500–4,000 for a typical passenger vehicle. Comprehensive insurance (Kasko) is strongly recommended for expats given Cairo's high accident rate and parking damage frequency. Insurance certificate must be carried in the vehicle at all times.
Annual vehicle registration fee (رسوم ترخيص السيارة) serves as both the registration renewal and a form of vehicle tax. Fee depends on engine capacity and vehicle age: EGP 500–2,000/year for typical passenger vehicles. Heavier vehicles and trucks pay more. No separate annual road ownership tax exists — costs are bundled in the annual registration fee.
Vehicles over 3 years old require an annual technical inspection (كشف فني) at an approved Traffic Department inspection centre before licence renewal. Inspection covers: brakes, tyres, lighting, exhaust, and vehicle identification number (VIN) check. Cost: EGP 200–600. Vehicles failing inspection cannot be registered until repairs are made.
Cycling
Cycling as daily transport in Cairo is not recommended due to extreme traffic, aggressive driving culture, complete lack of cycling infrastructure, intense heat (35–45°C in summer), and air pollution. However, recreational cycling is growing — early morning rides on Nile Corniche and within compounds are possible.
- •No specific cycling law exists in Egypt — cyclists are governed by general traffic regulations
- •Cyclists must keep to the right edge of the road where possible
- •No compulsory helmet law but helmets are strongly advised
- •Cycling on motorways and major highways is effectively illegal and extremely dangerous
- •Night cycling without lights is inadvisable — many Egyptian drivers use minimal lighting
- •If you want to cycle recreationally, Wadi Degla Nature Protectorate (Maadi) has trails on unpaved paths away from traffic — bring a mountain bike
- •Nile Corniche (Cairo): best for cycling before 7am when traffic is minimal
- •New Cairo compounds have internal cycling paths — safe for family cycling
- •Join Cairo Runners group for organised group cycling/running events
- •Wear hi-visibility clothing and always use both front and rear lights
- •The New Administrative Capital (NAC/Wedian) is being built with cycling infrastructure — future option for compound residents in that area