Ride-Hailing and Driving in Egypt

Ride-hailing apps are part of daily life in Egypt, and some people consider buying or renting a car. Here are both sides.

1. Ride-hailing

• **Legal framework**: Law No. 87 of 2018 regulates road passenger transport using information technology; its executive regulations are Prime Ministerial Decree No. 2180 of 2019. According to the Cabinet website (2023), these companies are licensed by the Land Transport Regulatory Authority under the Ministry of Transport.
• **Tips** (with Chinese Embassy advice):
• Use established apps and check the plate, car model and driver details;
• Everyone wears a seatbelt;
• Share your trip with family or friends;
• Avoid unlicensed street pick-ups — disputes are hard to resolve;
• Limit late-night travel and go with others.

2. Driving and licences

• The Chinese Embassy does **not recommend self-drive trips**: few traffic lights, high speeds and mixed pedestrian traffic mean frequent accidents, and many private cars carry little commercial insurance.
• If you must drive:
• Resident foreigners generally need an Egyptian licence from the traffic department, usually with a medical check and tests;
• International permits are generally for visitors; ask the traffic department whether residents can rely on one;
• We found no published statement on using or exchanging a Chinese licence — ask the traffic department directly.

After an accident

• Traffic accident line: the highway-rescue line on the Life page (dial from a local SIM);
• Ambulance: 123;
• Photograph the scene, keep the police report number, and contact the Chinese Embassy if needed.

Reminder

• Rules change. Check with the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Interior's traffic departments.
• Compiled by Wang Fu Egypt for general guidance. For binding rules, please refer to the transport and traffic authorities.

Sources

• Egyptian Cabinet – licence under Law 87/2018 and PM Decree 2180/2019 (8 Jun 2023): cabinet.gov.eg
• Library of Congress Global Legal Monitor – resolution regulating ride-sharing companies: www.loc.gov Oct 2019/egypt-ministerial-resolution-issued-to-regulate-activities-of-ride-sharing-companies/ (non-government / press)
• 中国驻埃及使馆 20 Sep 2026 提醒（交通安全、不建议自驾）: eg.china-embassy.gov.cn
• 中国驻埃及使馆 4 Mar 2026 提醒（打车用正规软件）: eg.china-embassy.gov.cn
• Alexandria Governorate – international driving licence service page: www.alexandria.gov.eg

Your first week in Egypt

• Get a local SIM card and save key addresses in Arabic.
• Keep some Egyptian pounds in cash and use official exchange channels.
• Check your health insurance and the nearest hospital.
• Save emergency numbers and your embassy contact from its official website.
• Install a ride-hailing app and find the supermarket and pharmacy near your home.

How we work

• Send your request from the booking page or our contact channels: the task, the city and the date.
• The Wang Fu team checks the details and asks about your field and terminology if needed.
• You receive a written quote and plan before anything starts.
• We assign the right person, coordinate on site or remotely, and stay in touch until the job is done.

Related guides

• Living in Egypt: a practical guide
• The Chinese community in Egypt
• Chinese community groups in Egypt
• Cairo Metro guide
• Egypt train guide
• Mobile top-up in Egypt