Foot note first on driving before I go into rules and regulations….
I forget about some quirks of driving here since I have been here so long – you wind up taking things for granted. Like – headlights! Most people don’t’ use their headlights at night – just their parking lights (if they work). I have yet to figure this one out. If anyone can enlighten me, please get in touch.
And then there is the “turn signal” Again I think many people who drive here don’t even know they exist since you don’t see them used – for turning into a street, for changing lanes, etc. But on the flip side – you will see a car driving down the street with their left or right turn signal flashing constantly – meaning nothing.
So lets get onto to today’s topic…
Rules that can you need to know to drive and/or have your car licensed.
First – important upcoming event is supposed to take place January 1 2014.
Gas Cards.
Your car will need a gas card in order to get gas at a petrol station. These gas cards are tied to the license of your car and can be only used for that car. They are not interchangeable. (Get ready for a black market in gasoline!)
And your license has to be current. I have yet to hear how you go about obtaining this gas card and will update you when I find out – unless someone out there knows the procedure.
What is also going to be interesting is all the mini buses, tuk tuks and pickups that are obviously not licensed. Get ready!
Now here are other rules some of which you need to know and some are just “funny” but have been used in the past by police to issue tickets.
Fire Extinguishers
You must have on in your vehicle and in a 4×4 you need to have two large units. Your car cannot be licensed without these in the car.
First Aid Kits
The kit must be one that has been “authorized” by the department of motor vehicles is required.
Car’s License
You obviously need the car’s license in the car when driving.
Mobile phones
No talking / texting while driving.
Seat belts
The law states that seat belts must be worn.
Speeding
Yes they do give speeding tickets and most major highways now have radar. And they do use it.
The one place to beware of speeding is the Ain Sukna highway – specifically coming back into Cairo. I have come back on occasions and seen multiple cars pulled over just before the highway ends.
Be aware of the speed limits – and to be frank – if you are driving “safe” you should not be speeding. You don’t really have to go 120KPH down to Ain Sukna (although it is tempting).
By the way I think the Corniche is 60KPH – I have been ticketed on this road years ago (in fact got quite a few speeding tickets on this road)
Please note you should not worry about most of the following but people have been ticketed in the past due to some of these.
Bull bars – if the bull bar is NOT indicated on the license you can be ticketed. (There was a time when all 4×4’s were being stopped – I had a spate of cars into the shop removing bull bars)
Car’s plates – if not legible – can be ticketed
Cracked Windscreen – can be ticketed
Exhaust – honestly I have seen once cars stopped and the exhaust checked for pollutants (only once) but means there must be a pollution control here??
Now we come to the ones for which you will not be stopped but you should be aware of when it comes time to license your car again.
You will be asked to pay outstanding fines (and can be quite expensive if you are an expat).
If you make an illegal U turn and the police is around he can write down your license # and report to traffic control (fine).
If you park in an illegal zone – they will mark down your license – another fine.
Double parking, ignoring the police at an intersection, speeding but not stopped by police, and a variety of other rules which may exist – all these equate to another fine.
If you know of any other rules out there that I have overlooked – please send to me so I can share with everyone.
I can be reached on 01001456439 and/or horsetorg@yahoo.com if you need any assistance.
For more about Dave – check out his page here….