How to Get a Driving Permit in Uganda in 2023

Uganda is one of the fast growing country in East Africa. Just like any other country, one of the recognized ways for motorist to operate legally is by getting the permission from the government, in most cases they are given what is known as a drivers license or a drivers permit.

Getting a driving license in Uganda has not been a big challenge as of 2023. The body in charge of issuing driving licenses to the citizens and non citizens is the Uganda Drivers Licensing System (UDLS) which is currently a project of Ministry of Work and Transport Uganda to improve road safety in Uganda by issuing world-class driving licenses.

I will answer your questions on how to acquire, update, and renew a driving license in Uganda. This article will also answer your question on how to add other classes to your permit, exchange a foreign driving license or acquire a duplicate driving license.

To obtain a Ugandan driving license, you must follow these steps:

1. Apply for a learner’s driving license

A learner’s license also known as provisional license is a requirement for a new driver license and is given for three months.

Requirements and process to get a learner/provisional license

The mandatory documents you will need for this process:

1. Valid National ID for Ugandan applicants. Uganda Drivers Licensing System (UDLS) also accept a duplicate/copy of the ID, a photocopy of the ID, or a NIRA verification letter if you don’t have any of the previous documents.
2. For non-Ugandans: valid passport, a visa valid for at least six months and , if applicable; work permit, dependant pass, or student pass (original copies)
3. For refugees: refugee card issued by the office of the prime minister (original copy)
4. Proof of payment (payment registration number); You can always present a bank slip from the bank you paid from.
5. Proof of enrollment from a licensed driving school
6. Fully filled-out learner driving license application form
7. Fully filled-out medical examination report: the medical examination report is a section of the learner driving license application form. The report is valid for six months; an applicant for a learner driving license must have a medical examination report that does not exceed sox months from the date indicated on the form.

NOTE: UDLS does not accept cash at its branches. Payments for services are made via the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) website.

2. Apply for a full driving license

You can apply for a full driving license after completing training from a recognized driving school and with a certificate of competence from the IOV.

Requirements to get your first Uganda drivers license

The mandatory documents you will need for this process:

1. Valid National ID for Ugandan applicants. Uganda Drivers Licensing System (UDLS) also accept a duplicate/copy of the ID, a photocopy of the ID, or a NIRA verification letter if you don’t have any of the previous documents.
2. For non-Ugandans: valid passport, a visa valid for at least six months and , if applicable; work permit, dependant pass, or student pass (original copies)
3. For refugees: refugee card issued by the office of the prime minister (original copy)
4. Proof of payment (payment registration number); You can always present a bank slip from the bank you paid from.
5. Learner license (original)
6. Certificate of competence (issued by Police IOV Office)
7. Certificate of completion (obtained from a licensed driving school after training)
8. Fully filled-out driving license application form
9. Fully filled-out medical examination report: The medical report is a section of the learner driving license and driver license application form. An applicant for a full driver license does not need to fill the section if they already had it filled on the learner license within the last six months. A medical examination done for the learner license in the last six months is still valid for a full driver license application.

3. Renew your driving license

You can renew your expired Ugandan driving permit after paying the appropriate fee and with the original copy of the existing license.

Requirements to get your license renewed

The mandatory documents you will need for this process:

1. Expired license (original copy)
2. Valid National ID for Ugandan applicants. Uganda Drivers Licensing System (UDLS) also accept a duplicate/copy of the ID, a photocopy of the ID, or a NIRA verification letter if you don’t have any of the previous documents.
3. For non-Ugandans: valid passport, a visa valid for at least six months and , if applicable; work permit, dependant pass, or student pass (original copies)
4. For refugees: refugee card issued by the office of the prime minister (original copy)
5. Proof of payment (Payment registration number); You can always present a bank slip from the bank you paid from.

4. Acquire a duplicate license

With UDLS, you can apply for a duplicate license after reporting the loss of the original to the Uganda Police and running and advert in a National newspaper

Requirements if you have lost or damaged your driving license

The mandatory documents you will need for this process:

1. Valid National ID for Ugandan applicants. Uganda Drivers Licensing System (UDLS) also accept a duplicate/copy of the ID, a photocopy of the ID, or a NIRA verification letter if you don’t have any of the previous documents.
2. For non-Ugandans: valid passport, a visa valid for at least six months and , if applicable; work permit, dependant pass, or student pass (original copies)
3. For refugees: refugee card issued by the office of the prime minister (original copy)
4. Proof of payment (Payment registration number); You can always present a bank slip from the bank you paid from.
5. Police report
6. Newspaper announcement (original copy of the full page where the advert appears)
7. Fully filled-out driving license applications form.