The Spokesperson of Rwanda National Police, ACP Boniface Rutikanga, announced that there is a project to arrange for Rwanda’s permanent driving license to also be recognized internationally.
ACP Rutikanga made this statement after continued questions about why the Rwandan driving permit is not recognized internationally, even though the country had signed an agreement allowing this.
He made the statement while responding to a question raised by radiotv10, journalist Oswald Mutuyeyezu, who presented a concern shared with him by one of the drivers, highlighting challenges commonly faced by some cross-border truck drivers.
The driver who sent this message to the journalist, asking him to advocate on his behalf, said: “There is an ongoing problem affecting Rwandan truck drivers who wish to find work abroad. They are often asked for an International Driving Permit (IDP), but they cannot obtain one because Rwanda does not issue it.”
He continued in his message: “However, it is clear that Rwanda signed the international convention on road traffic in Geneva, and became a member on August 5, 1964. That is why I am asking you to advocate for us, and to help us ask why that agreement has not been implemented so that Rwandans can be issued an International Driving Permit.”
He said that if this were done, it would help many Rwandan drivers gain job opportunities abroad and represent their country well.
Responding to this request, the Spokesperson of Rwanda National Police, ACP Boniface Rutikanga, said: “It is indeed true that there is a project to arrange for the International Driving Permit, and a Ministerial Order governing that permit is still awaited.”
This comes at a time when Rwanda’s permanent driving license tests are known to be strict, as they are selective, with some candidates passing and others failing.
RADIOTV10