Alright, let’s talk about getting yourself a Botswana driving license, and I’m gonna tell ya how it is, no fancy talk.
First things first, what you need to know about this Botswana driving license thing.
You wanna drive around Botswana, right? Well, you gonna need a license. It’s like needing a key to start your car, simple as that. They call it a “driver’s permit” too, but it’s the same darn thing. This little piece of paper lets you drive legal-like, so you don’t get into trouble with the police. And let me tell ya, you don’t wanna mess with the police, anywhere!

- Driving License: This is the main thing you need. It says you’re allowed to drive.
- Driver Permit: Same as the license, just another name for it. Don’t let them fancy words confuse ya.
- International Driving Permit (IDP): Now, this here is for folks coming from other countries. If you got a license from somewhere else, you might need this IDP too. It’s like a translation of your license, so they know you ain’t just some crazy driver with no idea what you’re doing.
Now, how do you get this Botswana driving license? It ain’t rocket science, I tell ya.
First off, you gotta get yourself a form. They call it the “DL 1 – Botswana Driving License Application form”. Sounds all official and whatnot, but it’s just a form. You can get this form at the “Enquiries Desk”, wherever that is. Probably at some government office. You know how they are with their offices.
Fill out that form, all the blanks and such. Don’t leave nothin’ empty, they don’t like that. Make sure you write neat, or they might just throw it away and tell ya to come back later. And nobody got time for that.
Then, you gotta go to the “Department of Road Transport and Safety” office. Sounds like a big place, probably lots of waiting around. Bring your filled-out form, and I guess you gotta bring some money too. They always want money for somethin’. They say something about a P91.00 fee for renewal, so it’s probably around that much for a new license too, maybe more, who knows?
And what about them tests they make you take?
Well, for starters, there’s this “Learner/provision Driver license”. Sounds like you gotta learn first, which makes sense. You don’t just jump in a car and start driving, unless you wanna end up in a ditch. So, you apply for this learner thing, and then they make you take a “Theory test”. That’s probably where they ask you all sorts of questions about road signs and rules. You know, like what a stop sign looks like, and don’t go driving on the wrong side of the road. Common sense stuff, mostly, but you gotta study up a bit, I guess.
And after the theory test, I reckon there’s a driving test too. They gotta see if you can actually drive a car without crashing into things. So, practice a bit, don’t be a show-off, and you should be fine.
Now, what if you’re from another country?
Like I said before, you gonna need that International Driving Permit (IDP). It’s like a passport for your driving license. You gotta have your regular license from your home country, and then you get this IDP thing to show them here in Botswana. That way, they know you’re a legit driver and not just some yahoo off the street.
And what about doing all this online? Order Botswana driving license online, that’s what the young folks say.

Well, some things you can probably download, like that application form. But I reckon you still gotta go to the office in person to hand it in and take the tests. This ain’t Amazon, you can’t just order a driving license and have it delivered to your door. At least, not yet. Maybe someday, but for now, you gotta do things the old-fashioned way.
So, to sum it up, here’s what you gotta do to get your Botswana driving license:
- Get the DL 1 form.
- Fill it out proper.
- Go to the Department of Road Transport and Safety office.
- Pay the fee.
- Take the theory test and the driving test.
- If you’re from another country, get an International Driving Permit too.
And that’s about it. It ain’t so hard, see? Just follow the steps, be patient, and you’ll be driving around Botswana in no time. Just remember to drive safe, and don’t go causing trouble. Nobody wants that.
Some extra things to keep in mind:
Always keep your license with you when you drive. If a police officer stops you, they’re gonna wanna see it. And don’t go trying to bribe them neither, that’ll just get you in more trouble. Be polite, show them your license, and you’ll be on your way.
And if your license expires, you gotta go renew it. Don’t go driving around with an expired license, that’s just asking for trouble. It’s probably the same process as getting a new one, just go back to that office and pay another fee. Always about the money, isn’t it?
So, there you have it. Everything you need to know about getting a Botswana driving license, straight from the source, so to speak. Now go on and get that license, and enjoy the open road! But be careful out there, alright? There are a lot of crazy drivers, and you don’t wanna end up as one of them.