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On the Road – in Mozambique
 
Travelling on the roads in Mozambique can be a very pleasant experience and like anywhere else in the world there are things that you must be aware off.  The N4 continues from South Africa to Maputo and it is managed by the company Trans African Concessions (TRAC). In Mozambique there are two toll Plazas, namely the Moamba Toll Plaza and the Maputo Toll Plaza. Both accept only cash Metical, Rand or US Dollar and change will be paid in the local currency. Click here to view the latest Toll fees.

With this in mind, we wish to assist you in a safe and stress free journey by sharing Mozambique’s travel regulations with you. There are different officials on the road performing specific functions in controlling various elements. The information here below will provide for a more courteous interaction between officials and road users. When stopping for an official, please indicate, stop and turn on your hazard lights. Kindly turn down the music and remove your sunglasses. The officer will appreciate this as a small token of respect.
 
  • Officers in White Shirts and Blue Trousers – Traffic Police – shall carry identification, with their names and number visible on their uniform – are permitted to fine you for any traffic violations listed in this table. Please insist on a written fine and do not initiate a bride.
  • Officers in Light Grey Shirt and Dark Grey Trousers – Protection Police – are NOT permitted to fine you for any violations. They are allowed to take you to the police station for arrest only if you are found carrying stolen goods or illegal substance or contraband, or for theft or assault. They normally work together with the Traffic Police.
  • Officers in Dark Green – Rapid Intervention Police – similar duties to Protection Police.
  • Officers in Light Green Shirt and Green Trousers with red Armband – Municipal Police – are only permitted to check taxis.
  • Officers in Light Blue Shirt and Blue Trousers – Alfândega (Customs) – permitted to search vehicles for undeclared items.
  • Military – allowed to search vehicle at roadblocks or border posts.
 
Useful contact numbers in Mozambique:
  • Anti-corruption/help
 : +258 82 396 9890
  • ER24 Maputo
 : +258 84 124 3724
  • TRAC EN4 Route – Emergencies
 : +258 82 303 4303
  • South African High Commission in Maputo
 : +258 82 303 4303
  • After hours
 : +258 84 304 4600
 
Conversion of a South African Drivers License
 
It is possible to convert a South African Drivers License to a foreign driving license in the country where he / she currently resides. To start the procedure the applicant must approach the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) in South Africa. It will be in a position to issue a confirmation letter should such an applicant have a valid drivers license – as confirmed by the eNATIS system in South Africa. This letter will serve as proof that the applicant does indeed hold a valid license and it will enable the person to convert the license to a foreign driving license in the country where he / she currently resides.
 
Process to follow:
 
  • Request the RTMC in writing for a printout and confirmation letter of your drivers license.
  • Request must include:
    • Your contact details – including a fax number;
    • Copy of your bar coded ID document;
    • Copy if your drivers license.
 

Location and Contacts of the RTMC in South Africa:

 
Address : Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC)Private Bag X147
Pretoria, 0001
 
Street Address : Boardwalk Office Park – Phase 5, Boardwalk Boulevard, Faerie Glen, 0043
 
Telephone : 087 301 8200
  : 012 999 5200
  : 0861 400 800 (not toll free)
  : 086 602 5928
 
E-mail : info@rtmc.co.za
  : tshwarelom@rtmc.co.za
  : davidm@rtmc.co.za
  : rhodad@rtmc.co.za
Website : www.rtmc.co.za
 

Mozambican Traffic Violations and Fines (Road Decree 1/2011) 
 
1. None compliance to permanent and temporary traffic road signs (Art 14) 1000MTN
2. Drivers shall not drive with any part of their body outside the vehicle (Art 16) 1000MTN
3. Not reducing speed at: hills; bends; intersections; circles; bridges; tunnels; villages; buildings; schools; people; animals; places of reduced visibility; and places signposted as danger (perigo) (Art 32) 1000MTN
4.

Speed limits (Art 33):

  
 
  • Exceeding max limit up to 20km/h
 1000MTN
 
  • Exceeding max limit up to 40km/h 
 2000MTN
 
  • Exceeding max limit up to 60km/h
 4000MTN
 
  • Exceeding max limit more than 60km/h
 8000MTN
 
  • Exceeding max limit more than double
 Prison sentence of between 3 days and 3 months, plus fine  8000MTN
  Speed cameras must show speed travelled and date of the offense.  
 
5. Exceeding seated passenger limit (Art 55) 500MTN
6. Cargo reducing driver visibility (e.g. canoes must face up or protruding the length or width of the vehicle (Art 56) 1000MTN
7. Not having correct or working illumination, light signalling devices, reflectors, lights, blue & white towing sticker (Art 59, 60) 1000MTN to 2000MTN
8. Failure to use emergency lights with vehicle breakdown or tow (Art 63) 750MTN
9. Ignoring traffic signals (Art 69) 1000MTN
10. Throwing objects from vehicles 500MTN
11. Having alcohol inside the vehicle and not in the trunk/boot (Art 81) 500MTN
12.

Driving under the influence of alcohol, when tested by breathalyser (Art 81):

  
 
  • From higher than 0,0mg/l to 0,3mg/l
 1500MTN
 
  • From 0,41mg/l to 0,70mg/l
 2500MTN
 
  • More than 0,70mg/l
 3500MTN
 
  • More than 1,2mg/l
 5000MTN
 
  • A public transport or dangerous cargo driver – if over 0,0mg/l
 Prison sentence up to one month plus fine prison sentence of up to 6 months plus fine (Art 81)
13. Driving under the influence of narcotics or psychotropics (Art 81) 2000MTN
14. Failure to fasten seat belt while driving, front and back (Art 87) 500MTN
15. Children under the age of 12 not transported on the back seat and secured with a system for their height and weight (fine for each child) (Art 87) – Children under the age of 3 can travel in the front seat if using a back facing retention system (Art 87). 300MTN
16. Drivers and passengers of motorcycles not wearing helmets (Art 87) 300MTN
17. Driver using any audio headphone or radiotelephonic (cell phones) device without headset with microphone/loudspeaker (Art 89) 2000MTN
18. Prohibited to use equipment/devices to detect instruments for recording offences (radar detectors) – devices can be confiscated (Art 89) 2750MTN
19. Failure to have 2 safety triangles and 1 reflective jacket (Art 91) 1000MTN
20. Driving an unregistered vehicle (Art 120) 5000MTN
21. Driving an unregistered trailer (Art 120) 2500MTN
22. SADC drivers licenses are valid (Art 129):

 
  Driving with an invalid drivers license 1000MTN
  Having a drivers license but not carrying it with you (Art 127) 200MTN
  Not being qualified to drive (never taken test and received license) Prison sentence of between 3 days and 6 months, plus fine (Art 127)
  Driving with an expired license (more than 30 days) (Art 127)
  Not complying with medical restrictions of drivers license (Art 127)
23. Failure to stop after causing an accident or abandoning injured/deceased persons Prison time between one and eight years (Art 152).
24. Failure to have 3rd party insurance (Art 157) In the event of an accident  vehicle will be seized (Art 162)
25.

Seizure of driver’s license (Art 160):

  
 
  • When license has expired;
  
 
  • When license has been suspended;
  
 
  • When driver under the influence;
  
  Suspected it is falsified.  
26.

Seizure of vehicle documents (Art 161):

  
 
  • When the vehicle is seized;
  
 
  • When the papers are illegible;
  
 
  • When the vehicle is unsafe;
  
 
  • Number plates do not comply with regulatory conditions;
  
 
  • When characteristics of the vehicle (including tyre measurements) do not match those on the papers;
  
 
  • Suspected they are falsified.
  
  Regarding the above, the official will use a note as a substitute for a time and restrictions set thereon, e.g. for the vehicle to be taken for repairs and must be returned repaired within a maximum of 8 days (Art 161)  
27. Seizure of a vehicle (Art 162):  
 
  • Vehicle not conforming to registration specifications;
  
 
  • No number plates;
  
 
  • An accident has been caused without 3rd party insurance;
  
  Voluntary compliance/payment of fines must be exercised within 15 days at any Provincial Traffic Department of Police (Art 172).  
     
  NOT IN THE ROAD DECREE – NO FINE  
 
  • Light vehicles not having a fire extinguisher.
  
 
  • Objects on the back seat of the vehicle.
  
 
  • Driver not wearing a shirt or shoes.
  
 
  • Wearing sunglasses while driving.
  
 
HE High Commissioner General (ret) Siphiwe Nyanda
Head of Mission
  
 
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