Traveling to MAURITANIA?

Chinguetti

A former trading post in 777AD, Chinguetti is an ancient city of major importance. Though the desert has reclaimed the city in its sands, the important structures remain until today as a testimonial to the stone city’s amazing architecture. The walls of Chinguetti that still clearly define the ancient streets today were all painstakingly built by hand, one stone at a time.

Driving to Chinguetti is relatively easy with your International Driver’s Permit for Mauritania. The website for UNESCO has declared Chinguetti as a world heritage site. Mauritania is trying to preserve Chinguetti. However, the landowners are afraid that conservation efforts result in the loss or destruction of the artifacts. So efforts are being put in place to increase awareness and tourism. Hoping that this will generate enough revenue to fuel local conservation efforts.

Richat Structure or The Eye of Africa

A naturally formed world wonder, the Richat Structure also known as the “Eye of the Sahara'' or “Eye of Africa,” is a crater almost 50 km wide. It is formed by the rising of lava through the earth’s crust but failing to break through the surface. The structure then collapsed in on itself, forming the Eye as it is known today. To this day, geologists come to the Eye to study its composition, while tourists take all sorts of tours to see the Eye.

Some people prefer to take a camel tour to the Eye and slowly go around the Richat. There are also balloon tours available, so you can appreciate the Eye from the air and see just how massive it truly is. But the most popular way to visit the Eye is by taking a 4x4 and driving to and around the Eye. Some have stated it’s the reason they even applied for an international driver’s license for Mauritania. No fee is required to drive to the Eye, unlike the other options.

Banc d'Arguin National Park

The Banc d’Arguin (Bay of Arguin) is undoubtedly one of the world’s unique places. A unique meeting of desert and ocean, the bay naturally formed a special region of biodiversity and beauty. You will find over 300 species of migrating birds that stop at the Banc to feed and rest on its sands. Beneath its waters, you will find sea turtles and dolphins playing in the naturally cool waters of the Atlantic.

Nature and humanity have found such a unique balance in Banc d’Arguin, living in harmonious mutualism. The fishermen of the Imraguen tribe, who are the only people allowed by the Mauritanian government to live on the Banc, work in coordination with dolphins to drive fish into the fishermen’s nets. This ensures a good haul by the fishermen, and the dolphins don’t need to expel so much energy hunting the fish.

The Importance of your International Driver’s Permit

Your international driver’s license for Mauritania has benefits beyond its main purpose. As a local language translation of your native license, you can use your international driver’s license for Mauritania as a requirement when transacting with local services such as a bank. Never drive without both your native driver’s license and your IDP. Not having both of them is considered driving without a license in Mauritania.

You can easily acquire an IDP by going to the International Driver’s Association application page. To apply for an international driver’s permit for Mauritania, the requirements are to fill out some forms, upload your documents, and get approval for an international driver’s license. Email address, contact number, and home address have to be provided, and you will soon receive your international driver’s permit for Mauritania. A zip code will ensure faster delivery.

Alcohol will get you in Trouble

Mauritania is considered a “dry country”, meaning alcohol is forbidden. However, there are still people and establishments that carry alcohol for the consumption of tourists and locals. If you do consume alcohol, make sure to never drive, even if you only had a little. Getting charged with drunk driving could result in the revocation of your international driver’s license for Mauritania. The requirements for drunk driving here are simply smelling of alcohol.

The penalties in Mauritania for drunk driving are severe. For first-time offenders, it’s a hefty fine if you were cordial while being given a violation ticket. If you are belligerent, a night in jail will accompany that citation. A second offense could cause the revocation of your local license and/or your international driver’s permit for Mauritania. Address the police respectfully, and they may let you off with another citation rather than spend the night in jail.

Seatbelts for Everyone at All Times

Seatbelts are required as you drive around with your international driver’s permit for Mauritania. This requirement applies to all passengers of a vehicle, not just the front seats. There are only a few rules while driving in this country, and the police enforce the seatbelt law at all times. In a country where people tend to disregard traffic lights and signs, this isn’t a bad idea.

In case of an emergency. make sure you present to responders your international driver’s permit for Mauritania. The contact numbers for emergency services are 22217 for police, and 22218 for the fire department, and 22219 for traffic-related issues. For light altercations, present your international driver’s permit to the office of the Gendarmerie Nationale (National Police) and make a statement.

Hands-free Only

Being distracted by a phone call is always bad while driving. But being distracted while driving in a fast-paced driving culture like Mauritania is disastrous. The government recognizes this and has implemented laws against the use of mobile phones while driving. If you really need to make that call, always use a hands-free device to keep your hands on the wheel.

Always stay alert while driving with your international driver’s license for Mauritania. The price for being distracted as you traverse the roads of a foreign country could be a steep one. Make sure to either use the speakerphone option or hands free-device, but don’t let the call distract you. If you have to, pull over and finish your conversation before driving again.

Always carry your Papers

Visitors to Mauritania should always carry all their documents while driving. These include your native driver’s license, your insurance, car rental contract, and your international driver’s permit. Address police officers with respect, and you will sooner find yourself back on the road than if you are confrontational. If you have lost your international driver’s license in Mauritania, the price for shipping and handling are the only things you have to worry about.

The International Drivers Association offers free replacement of your IDP sent to you immediately. If you are re-applying for an international driver’s license for Mauritania, the office of the Ministry of Equipment and Transport can provide a new one. But beyond its main purpose, there are other uses for your international driver’s permit for Mauritania. English isn’t widely spoken in Mauritania, and your IDP is a form of I.D that can be read by locals.

Driving Beyond your International Driver’s Permit

When you sign up for an IDP, you can choose the validity period that you like. The validity period of your international driver’s license can span from one to three years. You can even get your international driver’s license an extension on its validity. Pay attention to the expiry date of your IDP, as driving with an invalid license could land you in trouble.

If you plan to stay in the country permanently, then you may apply for a local license and not get a renewal on your international driver’s license for Mauritania. The office of the Ministry of Equipment and Transport can assist you. To reach them acquiring a local license instead of an international driver’s license for Mauritania, the contact numbers and details for the Ministry of Equipment and Transport are the following:

Phone: 0222-3759-1381 / 0022-1773-3324-39

Or you can get in touch with them to renew your international driver’s license for Mauritania. Their website is only available in French or Arabic, but there are plenty of translation tools out there to help you navigate the website. If you have trouble with navigating their website to get info for your international driver’s license for Mauritania, their email address may be the more convenient way to reach them.