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What are the documents or legal requirements for driving in Angola?

To drive in Angola, you need to have an identity document, passport, driver’s license, insurance certificate, and an International Driving Permit (IDP). Obtaining an IDP is easier and faster when you order it through our website, as we offer worldwide express delivery. To process your application, you need to provide your name, phone number, address, city or state, country, and postcode.

What is an International Driving Permit?

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that translates your national driver’s license into 12 languages and can be used in over 150 countries worldwide. This document was agreed upon by the United Nations in 1926 to enable tourists from different countries to drive abroad.

Examples of these countries are: Tobago, United Kingdom, Suriname, Sudan, Spain, Zambia, Yemen, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Philippines, Pakistan, Principe, Myanmar, Mozambique, Malaysia, Lesotho, Lebanon, Kuwait, Japan, Jamaica, Hong Kong, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Cape Verde, Canada, Brunei, Brazil, Botswana, Bolivia, Namibia, Portugal, South Africa, Netherlands, and other countries.

What do you need to know about an International Driving Permit in Angola?

If you are interested in applying for an International Driving Permit, you can start an application today on our website. We offer an online application and worldwide express shipping. Simply fill out the application form with your name, phone number, address, city or state, country, and postcode to receive an International Driving Permit.

After completing the online form, you must submit your passport photos and a copy of your local driver’s license to process your International Driving Permit. In case of losing your International Driving Permit, we offer a free replacement service. Any loss of your International Driving Permit can be reported to our customer service.

Main traffic rules

To explore all the sights in Angola with your rental car, you must have a valid national driver’s license and International Driving Permit. It is also essential to have sufficient knowledge of the traffic rules in Angola, such as speed limits and driving age. Below is an overview of the main traffic rules to follow while driving in the country.

What to consider before driving in Angola?

Before driving in Angola, it’s important to be well-rested and stay alert to medications that may cause drowsiness or affect a breath test. Traffic in Angola drives on the right side of the road, as in most countries. Payments to enforcers or police officers should never be made in cash on the spot. The legal minimum age to drive is 18 years, and a driver’s license issued in Luanda to an 18-year-old remains valid until the age of 22.

Speed limits

It’s important to never exceed the speed limit. The speed limit is 60 km/h in urban areas, while on rural roads, a speed limit of 100 km/h applies. Vehicles without trailers have speed limits of 60 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h outside urban areas, 100 km/h on expressways, and 120 km/h on highways. Although there are no fixed speed cameras, the police conduct mobile speed checks, so it is advisable to respect the speed limits.

Seat belts and child seats

Both the driver and passengers in the front and back seats are required to wear seat belts while driving. It is advisable to transport children only when a suitable child seat is available. Speeding violations are not uncommon in Angola, so it is important to keep children safe at all times.

Priority

At intersections, you must give way to vehicles on your right. If your lane has the right of way, you must follow the correct traffic safety measures. Drivers leaving a parking lot or gas station must be given priority. You must also give way to vehicles already on a roundabout or leaving a railway crossing.

Overtaking

When overtaking a vehicle, you must do so carefully and warn other drivers using signals such as lights, horns, or hand gestures. Overtaking is not allowed at speed bumps, curves, tunnels, intersections, bridges, directly in front of or at pedestrian or railway crossings, or when overtaking a vehicle that is itself overtaking another vehicle.

Alcohol use

The allowable blood alcohol content (BAC) limit is 0.06%, which corresponds to 60 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. Regular breath tests are conducted, and a positive result will lead you to the nearest police station for a blood test. Failing a blood test can result in license suspension, fines, and possible legal actions or imprisonment.

Age limits

The legal minimum age to drive is 18 years, but to rent a car, you must be at least 21 years old. A driver’s license from Luanda is valid until the age of 22 for individuals who passed their driving test at the age of 18. Upon reaching the age of 40, a new driver’s license is issued for a period of ten years.

Parking

It is prohibited to stop or park in busy areas or locations with limited visibility, such as roundabouts, tunnels, bridges, and underpasses. Additionally, parking within 10 m of railway crossings, within 5 m on both sides of gas stations, intersections, and at marked pedestrian or bicycle crossings is not allowed.

Use of electronic devices

The use of a mobile phone or other electronic devices while driving is prohibited. Although this rule is often violated by the local population, it’s important not to imitate this behavior as tourists are often more strictly monitored. However, the use of hands-free devices is not prohibited and is recommended.

Top destinations in Angola

Angola has opened its doors to more travelers to explore the country. In 2018, 59 countries were given the green light to apply for an online pre-visa.

Luanda

As the capital of Angola, Luanda has a lot to offer. The city has reinvented itself from a war zone to a thriving economic and historical center, making it an attractive destination for tourists wanting to experience the country’s potential. Despite the recent recovery from war damage, the city is striving for further development.

Lubango

Located in southwestern Angola, Lubango is a city accessible by train about 160 km east of Namibe. Founded in 1885, the city served as a settlement for settlers in the Huila plateau. Portuguese influence is still visible in the architecture and culture of Lubango.

Huambo

Situated in the west-central part of Angola, south of the Cuanza River on the Bié plateau, Huambo has a rich history. It served as the headquarters of the guerrilla movement UNITA during the civil war and has since been on a path to recovery and development.

Benguela

Located on the central coast of Angola, Benguela is a province known for its exports of agricultural products and industrial activities. The region has beautiful beaches, nature reserves, and historical sites to explore.

Benguela is home to the Benguela Railway, one of the most extensive rail connections in the country. Additionally, the province offers beautiful beaches and forest reserves with diverse biodiversity. Monuments and colonial architecture are also worth visiting.

Cabinda

Cabinda is a northern exclave of Angola, located on the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by Congo. Known for its offshore oil discoveries, Cabinda is a significant contributor to the Angolan oil industry. The region offers beautiful beaches, nature reserves, and historic locations.

With crude oil as its primary export product, Cabinda holds a key position in Africa’s oil sector. Accessible by plane via a regional airport, Cabinda offers beaches, nature reserves, and historic sites.

The climate in Cabinda varies between hot and humid periods in the wet season and warm and partially cloudy weather in the dry season. The summer months from May to October are ideal for beach and outdoor activities.

Malanje

Located in the north of Angola, Malanje was previously known as an important market district and cotton producer. After the civil war, the city began reconstruction and has since become a tourist destination with waterfalls and nature areas.