Mozambique (MZ)
Portuguese-speaking East African country with 2,500 km of Indian Ocean coastline, extraordinary marine parks, growing LNG energy sector, and low cost of living for expats in Maputo.
Driving in Mozambique
Licence exchange, road rules, fines, buying a car, and cycling.
Mozambique drives on the LEFT — the same as South Africa, Zimbabwe, and other SADC countries. Most main roads in and around Maputo are tarmac and in reasonable condition. Roads deteriorate significantly outside major cities, with potholes, unpaved surfaces, flood damage, and lack of road markings common on secondary routes. A 4WD vehicle is strongly recommended for any travel outside provincial capitals. Night driving outside Maputo is strongly discouraged — animals, unlit vehicles, pedestrians, and poor road conditions create serious hazards. Mozambique's road accident rate is high. Expats should always carry their vehicle documents, driving licence, and insurance at roadblocks (barreiras policiais) which are frequent on all main roads.
Driving Licence Exchange
Foreign driving licences are accepted in Mozambique for the duration of your temporary residence. Once you obtain permanent residence, a Mozambican driving licence is required. Most expats on annual renewable DIRE permits use their home country licence throughout their stay. To drive legally, your licence must be carried with you at all times.
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Portugal, United Kingdom, USA, Australia, Brazil
Foreign driving licences from most countries are recognised for temporary residents on DIRE permits. Carry your original licence (not a copy) and your DIRE at all times. If your licence is not in Portuguese or English, carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) as a translation companion. The IDP is issued in your home country before travel.
For a Mozambican licence: apply at ITC with foreign licence, valid DIRE, passport photos, medical certificate, and fee. A practical driving test may be required. Process takes 4–8 weeks.
All other foreign nationals may drive on their home country licence for the duration of their temporary residence permit (DIRE). Carry the original licence with your DIRE at all times. If the licence is not in Portuguese, Spanish, French, or English, carry an IDP. For permanent residence, apply for a Mozambican licence at ITC.
There is no mandatory exchange requirement for annual DIRE holders — most expats drive on their foreign licence throughout their posting.
EU driving licences are recognised in Mozambique for temporary residents on the same basis as other foreign licences. No automatic exchange programme exists. EU citizens with annual renewable DIRE permits can use their EU licence throughout.
Road Rules
Urban areas (within town speed limit signs): 60 km/h. Open roads: 100 km/h. Highways (EN1 and main national roads): 120 km/h. Near schools: 40 km/h. Speed cameras are increasingly used on the EN1 (national road) between Maputo and South African border.
0.5 g/L blood alcohol (50 mg per 100 mL) — same as most European countries. Traffic police enforce this at roadblocks, especially at night and on weekend mornings. Zero tolerance is increasingly applied in practice — do not drink and drive.
Handheld mobile phone use while driving is illegal. Use a hands-free kit or Bluetooth. Traffic police will issue fines at roadblocks for phone use violations. Fines: MT 2,000–5,000.
Seat belts are compulsory for all front seat occupants. Rear seat belts are compulsory where fitted. Child seat use is legally required but enforcement is inconsistent. In practice, seat belt use is commonly ignored in Mozambique — expats should always buckle up regardless.
Child car seats are legally required for children under 12 (or under 135cm). Appropriate child seats are available from baby shops in Maputo (e.g., Baby City in the Polana Shopping Centre area) or can be brought from South Africa. Must be correctly fitted using ISOFIX or seat belt attachment.
Traffic Fines (Bußgeldkatalog)
Traffic fines in Mozambique are issued by the Polícia de Trânsito (Traffic Police). Fines should always be accompanied by an official auto de notícia (fine notice) and paid at a designated police station or bank — not on the roadside in cash. Informal "fines" requested at roadblocks are bribes and should be refused politely (request an official receipt). Fine amounts have been increased under traffic enforcement reforms.
| Offence | Fine | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding (up to 30 km/h over limit) | MT 2,500–5,000 | Points system not formally operational |
| Speeding (over 30 km/h over limit) | MT 5,000–15,000 | — |
| Drink driving (0.5–0.8 g/L) | MT 3,000–8,000 + licence suspension risk | — |
| Drink driving (over 0.8 g/L) | MT 8,000–25,000 + licence suspension + potential prosecution | — |
| Mobile phone use while driving | MT 2,000–5,000 | — |
| No seatbelt | MT 1,000–3,000 | — |
| No insurance (Seguro RC) | MT 5,000–15,000 + vehicle impoundment risk | — |
| Expired vehicle registration | MT 2,000–5,000 | — |
| Running red light | MT 3,000–8,000 | — |
Buying a Car
Most expats in Mozambique either use employer-provided vehicles, rental vehicles, or purchase second-hand cars from other departing expats. The second-hand market is primarily in Maputo. South African-specification right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles are common. Japanese imports (Toyota Land Cruiser, Prado, Hilux; Mitsubishi Pajero; Nissan Patrol) are the preferred expat vehicles due to reliability, parts availability, and off-road capability. New vehicles can be purchased from official dealers (Toyota, Ford, Land Rover, Isuzu) in Maputo at significant import duty premium.
- 1.Identify the vehicle — second-hand market via Expats in Mozambique Facebook group, OLX Mozambique, or your employer's expat network
- 2.Verify the vehicle's chassis number (VIN) and registration against the Livrete (vehicle registration document)
- 3.Check no outstanding finance or ownership disputes — ask the seller for proof of clear ownership
- 4.Conduct a mechanical inspection — use a trusted local mechanic before purchase
- 5.Agree the sale price
- 6.Attend the Direcção de Estradas e Pontes (DEP) or Registo de Veículos office with both buyer and seller for ownership transfer (transferência de propriedade)
- 7.Pay transfer tax (SISA) — percentage of vehicle value
- 8.Obtain new Livrete (vehicle registration) in your name
- 9.Obtain compulsory third-party insurance (Seguro RC) immediately
- •Verify the Livrete (vehicle registration document) matches the vehicle VIN
- •Confirm seller holds valid title — no liens or finance outstanding
- •Mechanical inspection — 4WD functionality, brakes, tyres, engine
- •Verify valid Vinheta (vehicle road tax disc) is current
- •Check insurance is transferable or arrange new policy
Second-hand Toyota Land Cruiser (used, expat-spec): USD 15,000–35,000. Transfer tax (SISA on purchase): 1–3% of vehicle value. Registration transfer: MT 2,000–5,000. Third-party insurance (annual): MT 5,000–15,000. Vehicle road tax (Vinheta, annual): MT 2,000–8,000 depending on engine size. Comprehensive insurance (annual): MT 10,000–30,000.
Registration, Insurance & Tax
Vehicle registration in Mozambique is managed by the Direcção de Estradas e Pontes (DEP) or the appropriate provincial roads authority. The Livrete (livrete de matrícula) is the vehicle registration document — keep it in the vehicle at all times. Annual road tax (Vinheta) is mandatory and must be displayed on the windscreen. The Vinheta can be purchased at ATM offices or authorised points of sale. For newly imported vehicles, import duty applies at the customs authority (Alfândegas de Moçambique) — duties are high and the process is complex; use a licensed customs agent (despachante).
Third-party liability insurance (Seguro de Responsabilidade Civil — RC) is compulsory for all vehicles on Mozambican roads. The certificate (apólice) must be carried in the vehicle and presented at police roadblocks. Insurers include Emose, Hollard Mozambique, and Fidelidade. Comprehensive (Abrangente) insurance is strongly recommended given Mozambique's accident rate and vehicle theft risk. Annual premiums for RC: MT 3,000–8,000. Comprehensive: MT 10,000–30,000.
Annual road tax (Vinheta) is based on engine size. Typical costs: MT 2,000–8,000 per year. The Vinheta must be renewed annually and the disc displayed on the windscreen. Renewal is available at ATM offices, licensed petrol stations, and online via ATM's portal.
There is no mandatory annual technical inspection (MOT equivalent) for private vehicles in Mozambique as of 2026. Roadworthiness is technically required but not systematically enforced through an MOT system. However, vehicles are checked at police roadblocks and an obviously unroadworthy vehicle can be impounded. Expats should maintain vehicles in good condition for safety — Mozambique's road conditions are punishing on vehicles.
Cycling
Cycling in Maputo city is possible but hazardous due to traffic, potholes, lack of cycle lanes, and road sharing with heavy vehicles, chapas (minibuses), and pedestrians. A small community of expat cyclists exists but cycling is very much a minority activity. In rural areas and small towns, cycling is more practical and common among the local population. Mozambique's coastline and Gorongosa area are increasingly popular for mountain biking tours.
- •No mandatory helmet law for cyclists in Mozambique — but wearing a helmet is essential given road conditions
- •Cyclists must follow standard road rules — ride on the left, obey traffic signals
- •Lights are mandatory at night — front white light, rear red light
- •Cycling on busy main roads (EN1, Avenida Eduardo Mondlane) is strongly discouraged for safety
- •Use side streets and quieter residential areas (Sommerschield, Costa do Sol) rather than main roads
- •Ride in groups where possible — safety in numbers
- •Use a quality lock — bicycle theft is common in Maputo
- •Do not cycle at night
- •Check with the Hash House Harriers running club — they sometimes organise cycling outings
- •For mountain biking, consider organised tours to Gorongosa National Park or Mozambique's highlands