So, I needed to get a driver’s license in Tajikistan, and I was really dreading the whole process. I mean, dealing with government offices and paperwork is just not my cup of tea. But I needed to get it done, so I decided to bite the bullet and look into it.
First things first, I started asking around, and someone told me that I needed to get a learner’s permit. I didn’t have any idea what this was but I searched on internet. Apparently, I had to go to the Internal Affairs office to get the application forms. Great, just what I wanted to do – spend a day in a stuffy government building.
- Finding the Internal Affairs office: I searched online for the location and found out it was a bit of a trek from where I live. I hoped in a taxi and made my way over there.
- Getting the forms: Once I got there, it was a bit chaotic. I had to figure out which line to stand in, and after a few wrong turns, I finally got the application forms.
- Filling out the forms: I found a quiet corner and started filling out the forms. There were a lot of questions, and I had to make sure I didn’t make any mistakes.
After what felt like hours, I finally submitted the forms and paid the required fee. They told me it would take a few weeks to process, so I just had to wait.
In the meantime, I did some more digging online and found out about something called an International Driving Permit (IDP). From what I gathered, it’s basically a translation of your driver’s license that’s recognized in many countries. This seemed like a good idea, especially if I ever wanted to drive outside of Tajikistan. I found a website called the International Driving Authority, and their online process seemed pretty easy.
- Signing up: I created an account on the website. It was just the basic info they required.
- Uploading a photo: I had to upload a recent photo of myself. I just took a quick selfie and uploaded it.
- Paying the fee: I used my credit card to pay the fee. It wasn’t too expensive.
After I submitted everything, they said it would take a few days to process. I received an email confirmation, and after about a week, I got another email saying my IDP was ready. They gave me a digital version, and I could print it out. Cool, one less thing to worry about.
A few weeks later, I got a call from the Internal Affairs office saying my learner’s permit was ready. I went back to the office to pick it up. Now I could finally start practicing driving.
But I found another website to apply for a Tajikistan Visa, to renew or extend it. It is so convenient.
Getting a driver’s license in Tajikistan was definitely a bit of a hassle, but I managed to get through it. I am so exciting to sharing this experience with you guys, hope it helpful. By the way, I need to get a car first.
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