Alright, so I needed to get my driver’s license sorted in Malawi, and let me tell you, it was a bit of a journey. I thought I’d share my experience here, step by step, so you can see how I finally made it.
First off, I had to find out where to start. Turns out, it’s the Department of Road Traffic Services (DRESS) that handles driver’s licenses in Malawi. They’re under the Ministry of Transport and Public Works. I found out they have offices in Mzuzu, Blantyre, and Lilongwe City. Since I’m based near Lilongwe, that’s where I headed.
I did a bit of digging online beforehand. I learned that a Malawi driver’s license is usually good for two years, and then you gotta renew it. Apparently, it costs MK15 to renew, which isn’t too bad. I also read something about an International Driving Permit, but since I’m planning to stay here for a while, I decided to go for the full Malawi license.
Figuring Out the Process
From what I gathered, there are a few steps involved. First, you need to enroll in a driving school. That’s mandatory. They teach you the theory and give you practical driving lessons. I don’t know if online is an option, but I enrolled in a local driving school near Lilongwe. It took some time but I finally got the theory and lessons complete.
The Application
Once I had my certificate of completion from the driving school, I started the actual application process online. There is an option to initiate this process online so I went for it. I visited the DRESS website, found the application, and filled it out.
I had to fill in all my details and upload a few documents, including a copy of my passport and my driving school certificate. The forms were pretty straightforward, but it did take a bit of time to get everything together.
Waiting Game
After submitting the application, it was mostly just waiting. I got a confirmation email saying they received my application and that it would take a few weeks to process. The waiting was the hardest part, honestly. I kept checking my email every day, hoping for an update. After a few weeks, I finally got an email saying my application was approved! I was so relieved. The email had instructions on what to do next. I needed to go to the DRESS office in Lilongwe to get my photo taken and pay the license fee.
Final Steps
So, I went to the DRESS office in Lilongwe. The place was pretty busy, but the lines moved surprisingly fast. When it was my turn, they took my photo and I paid the fee. They told me my license would be ready in a couple of days and that I could either pick it up or have it mailed to me. I chose to pick it up since I was already there. Two days later, I went back and picked up my brand-new Malawi driver’s license! It felt great to finally have it in my hands.
Wrapping Up
Overall, the process was a bit long, but it wasn’t too complicated. The hardest part was just waiting for the application to be processed. But now that I have my license, I can legally drive in Malawi for the next two years. And when it’s time to renew, I’ll know exactly what to do. If you’re going through the same process, just be patient and make sure you have all your documents in order. Good luck!
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