Okay, so I wanted to get a driving license in the Maldives. I’m not from there, but I’ve been working there for a while, and I really needed one to get around easier. So I did some digging around, and here’s what I went through.
First off, I found out that the Ministry of Transport & Civil Aviation is the one that gives out these licenses. They have something called an eFaas mobile app, and that’s where the digital driver’s license shows up. Fancy, right?
I also learned that there’s a probationary driving period. It’s like a test run. Basically, you get a probationary license, and you have to drive with it for 12 months before you can get the full license. I guess it’s their way of making sure you know what you’re doing on the road.
- Heard about this ePortal thing. It is the Ministry of Transport & Civil Aviation’s online service portal. Sounds important.
- Checked the application status. Figured I could do that on the ePortal, too.
- Annual fees and fines. Not my favorite part, but you can pay those online as well. Convenient, I guess.
Then I stumbled upon some info about getting your first license or a learner’s permit. There are exams involved, and you gotta meet some requirements. Nothing too crazy, but you need to tick all the boxes.
Now, here’s the interesting part. Both Maldivian citizens and foreigners working in the Maldives like me, can use something called the SIMS portal. It lets you access services from anywhere in the world. I guess that’s a good thing if you’re moving around a lot.
Getting My Hands on the License
So, after gathering all this info, I started the actual process. I signed up on the ePortal, filled out all the forms, and paid the necessary fees online. Then I scheduled an appointment for the written exam. I studied the traffic rules like crazy, and thankfully, I passed!
Next up was the driving test. I was a bit nervous, but I had been practicing with a local friend, so I felt somewhat prepared. I went through all the maneuvers, parallel parking, and all that jazz. And guess what? I passed that, too!
After the test, I had to wait a few days, and then I got a notification on the eFaas app. My digital driver’s license was ready! I felt so relieved and happy. Finally, I could drive legally in the Maldives. It took some time and effort, but it was totally worth it.
If you are planning on driving in the Maldives, just be prepared to do some paperwork, pass some tests, and you’ll be good to go! It’s a bit of a process, but totally doable.
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