Driver licensing in the republic of Uganda is managed by the Uganda Ministry of Works and Transport in collaboration with Uganda Revenue Authority and Face Technologies, A South African Company that was tasked by the ministry to transition Driver’s Permit from paper-based to electronic format, with a mandate to design, Print and Supply of Computerised Driving Permits (CDP) in Uganda.
Age Requirement: In Uganda, the process of obtaining a driving license starts with meeting age requirements. One becomes eligible for obtaining a driver’s license upon attaining the age of 18 for the basic driving license to operate motorcycles and light vehicles.
License Validity: In Uganda, the learner’s permit is valid for only three months while the driving license/driving permit is valid for either three years or one year. Upon passing the driving license test or during the driving license extension: The driver has an option to pay for either one year (UGX 50,000) or three years (UGX 130,000)
Steps for Acquiring a driving license in Uganda:
- Obtain a Learner’s Permit valid for three months (Required)
- Attend a Driving School for Driving theory and Practice (Required)
- Pass Driving Test and Obtain a Certificate of Competency (Required)
- Obtain a Temporary Driving Permit/Driving License valid for one month
- Obtain a Definitive Driving License/Driving Permit
First, Obtaining a Learner’s Permit: Upon meeting the age requirements one is able to apply for a learner’s permit. Unlike in many countries where the learner has to first pass the driving theory exam, in Uganda, there is no exam requirement. The process of obtaining a Learner’s permit requires (1) having required documents: (a) A Valid National ID or Passport for Ugandans or East African member Nationals and a Valid passport with a visa valid for at least one year, a work permit, a dependent pass or a Student pass (b) A Filled medical application form: Link. This form can also be obtained from any Face Technologies office around the country: Link to Office Locations and contacts (2) Payment of UGX 30,000 to Uganda Revenue Authority at any participating bank and payment of UGX 30,000 cash at Face Technologies offices. (3) You are then required to present your biodata, fingerprints and facial image at Face Technologies where you will obtain a paper Learner’s Permit Valid for 3 months.
Second, Attending Driving School: Requirement for attending a driving school is to possess a valid learner’s permit. One should ensure that he/she attend a licensed driving school as failure to do so will result in not being able to take the driving test. Upon completing and successfully meeting the requirements you will be issued a certificate of completion.
Third, Taking the Driving Test: The Driving Test should be taken within the three months of validity of the learner’s permit. One pays test fees: UGX 25,000 payable to Uganda Revenue Authority and receive a payment slip that will be taken to the Inspector of Vehicle along with the Certificate of Completion of a Driving School to take the test. Upon successfully passing the test, the Inspector of Vehicle will issue a Certificate of Competency to the future driver and at the same transmit the Certificate to Face Technologies. e that you will take to the inspector of the vehicle to be transferred in the Uganda Revenue Authority system. If one fails, he/she has an option to retrain and take the test at a later date. The exams are comprised of both theory and practice. Edrivingschool.org recommends students to insure that they are fully prepared before taking the test. Beside our edrivingschool.org Uganda course, there are plenty of resources, we advise that you master the Uganda Highway Code not only to prepare yourself to pass the test but to be a confident knowledgeable driver on the road.
Then, obtaining a Driver License at FaceTechnologies: Upon passing the driving test, a certificate of competency will be forwarded to Face Technologies, a South African Company that was tasked for designing, printing and supplying computerized driving licenses in Uganda. One should pay the required fee to Uganda Revenue Authority at any participating bank, then present both the payment slip and a stamped valid learner’s permit to any Face Face Technologies office to obtain the full permit, In Uganda the there are two validity options depending on the fee the driver elects to pay. Generally, it will take about one hour to get the driving permit in Kampala and up to two days outside of Kampala. eDrivingSchool recommends contacting Face Technologies Office to inquire about specifically how long it takes a particular office one is interested in utilizing to obtain the driving license.
Class extensions Preceding Class Next Class Min Age Experience B CM 25 years 3 years DL 25 years 5 years CM CH 30 years 3 years DL DM 30 years 3 years DM DH 35 years 3 years
Driving License Categories: Definitive driving license categories differ by the driving capacity of the owner/driver; In Uganda, there exist the following categories: A, B, C, D, E, F, and every category defines car/track is the driver is able to conduct/drive. Different types of vehicles are covered by different driving license categories and have varying minimum age restrictions. If you want to add a new vehicle driving license, then the vehicle you take the test in must certain requirements:
- For Class A, which allows the driver to operate motorcycles, the minimum age required is 18 years.
- For Class B, which allows the driver to operate cars with up to 7 passengers and 3.5 tonnes, the minimum age required is 18 years.
- For Class CM, which allows the driver to operate cars p to 7 tonnes, the driver must possess class B, meet the minimum age requirement of 25 years and meet the minimum required experience of 3 years.
- For Class CH, which allows the driver to operate Heavy goods Vehicles, the driver must possess class CM, meet the minimum age requirement of 30 years and meet the minimum required experience of 3 years.
- For Class DL, which allows the driver to operate Taxis up to 14 passengers, the driver must possess class B, meet the minimum age requirement of 25 years and meet the minimum required experience of 5 years.
- For Class DM, which allows the driver to operate Coaster buses, the driver must possess class DL, meet the minimum age requirement of 30 years and meet the minimum required experience of 3 years.
- For Class DH, which allows the driver to operate Buses, the driver must possess class DM, meet the minimum age requirement of 35 years and meet the minimum required experience of 3 years.
- For all the other classes: E, F, G, I which allows the driver to operate respectively Extra puller vehicles, pedestrian controlled vehicles, lifters, tractors and boats, the driver must meet the basic requirements
| Class | Required Preceding Class | Required Minimum Age | Required Experience | Description |
| A | 18 | Motorcylcles | ||
| B | 18 | Cars up to 7 passengers and 3.5 tonnes | ||
| CM | B | 25 | 3 Years | Up to 7 tonnes |
| CH | CM | 30 | 3 Years | Heavy goods Vehicles |
| DL | B | 25 | 5 years | Taxis up to 14 passengers |
| DM | DL | 30 | 3 years | Coaster buses |
| DH | DM | 35 | 3 years | Buses |
| E | Extra puller | |||
| F | Pedestrian controlled | |||
| G | Lifters | |||
| H | Tractors | |||
| I | Boats |
While applying for a driver’s license for the first time or renewing, you will have an option to choose either one year or three years valid. The difference is the cost. We at eDrivingSchool.org recommend renewing for the longest option available. This will, in the end, save you time and money. It is important to remember that renewing your permit will not only require you to spend money on the driving license but also on the transport cost and time spent.
Happy Driving from all of us at eDrivingSchool.org
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