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South African Development Community (SADC)

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)

None compliance to permanent and temporary traffic road signs (Art 14)

1000MTN

Drivers shall not drive with any part of their body outside the vehicle (Art 16)

1000MTN

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

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.

Exceeding seated passenger limit (Art 55)

500MTN

Cargo reducing driver visibility (e.g. canoes must face up or protruding the length or width of the vehicle (Art 56)

1000MTN

Not having correct or working illumination, light signalling devices, reflectors, lights, blue & white towing sticker (Art 59, 60)

1000MTN to 2000MTN

Failure to use emergency lights with vehicle breakdown or tow (Art 63)

750MTN

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):