Changing Your Name on an Egyptian Driving Licence: Steps and Documents

If you have changed your name by court order, a registry correction, or after marriage (for women who wish to add their husband's surname), you need to update your driving licence to match your National ID card. Delay exposes you to a fine at the first traffic checkpoint.

Quick Answer

Changing your name on an Egyptian driving licence is done at the Traffic Unit serving your area of residence, after first updating your name on your National ID card at the Civil Status Authority. You will need: your new ID card, your current licence, a medical certificate from an accredited hospital, a personal photograph, and a data-amendment request form. Fees are approximately 155 Egyptian Pounds including stamp duties, and the amended licence is usually issued the same day or within one week at most, depending on the unit.

When Must You Change the Name on Your Driving Licence?

Traffic Law No. 66 of 1973 and its amendments require the licence holder to ensure that all licence data matches the National ID card. Any discrepancy in the four-part name constitutes a traffic violation.

Common situations that require amendment:

• A final court judgment ordering a change of first name or surname.
• Correction of a spelling error in the name at the Civil Status Authority.
• Addition or removal of part of the name with approval from the competent authorities.
• A change of religion that entails a change of name.

Important note: Marriage in Egypt does not legally change a wife's name. A woman retains her four-part name. There is therefore no need to amend the licence after marriage unless there is an actual, documented change on your ID card.

Before taking any step at the Traffic Unit, amend your National ID card first. The Traffic Unit will not accept your application without it.

Required Documents and Steps

Go to the Traffic Unit serving the address shown on your new ID card. The essential documents are:

1. New National ID card (original + clear copies of both sides).
2. Current driving licence (original — do not forget it).
3. Medical certificate from an accredited hospital or health unit confirming adequate eyesight and freedom from conditions that disqualify driving. Cost ranges from EGP 50 to EGP 100.
4. Two recent personal photographs, white background, size 4 × 6.
5. Original document evidencing the change: the final court judgment or the registry-correction decision from the Civil Status Authority.
6. Data-amendment request form, obtained from the enquiries counter inside the unit.

Steps in order:

• Collect the form and fill it in.
• Undergo the medical examination inside the unit (if available) or bring the certificate ready.
• Pay the fees at the cashier's counter.
• Submit the complete file to the amendments officer.
• Collect the new licence bearing the amended name, either the same day or against a later collection receipt.

Notice: Some units require a certificate from the Civil Status Authority confirming the change, in addition to the ID card. Call the unit before you go to save time.

Fees and Processing Time

Approximate cost of changing the name on an Egyptian driving licence:

• Basic amendment fee: approximately EGP 100.
• Stamp duties and form fees: EGP 25 to EGP 55.
• Medical examination: EGP 50 to EGP 100.
• Total: between EGP 175 and EGP 255.

Processing time: you will usually receive the new licence the same day if the Traffic Unit operates an instant-issuance system. At smaller units or during periods of high demand, the process may take 3 to 7 working days.

Driving with a name that does not match your ID card is an explicit violation. Do not postpone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the name be changed online? As of the date of this article, amending name data on a driving licence requires a personal visit to the Traffic Unit. The Egypt Digital Portal (digital.gov.eg) allows licence renewal and the issuance of data certificates, but a substantive name amendment requires review of the paper file.

What if the licence has expired? The unit will handle renewal and amendment in a single procedure, with additional renewal fees calculated according to the licence category and duration.

Do I need a lawyer? No — the procedure is purely administrative. However, if the name change itself requires a court judgment, you will need a lawyer to file the case before the Family Court or the competent court before approaching the Traffic Unit.

What about the vehicle registration certificate? If the vehicle is registered in your name, the owner's name must also be amended on the vehicle registration certificate. This is a separate procedure handled by the Vehicle Licensing section and carries its own fees.

For more information on traffic procedures, see Traffic Law Questions.

References

^[1] Traffic Law No. 66 of 1973 and its amendments, in particular its Executive Regulations issued by Minister of Interior Decision No. 2777 of 2008. ^[2] General Traffic Administration — Egyptian Ministry of Interior, procedures for amending driving licence data. ^[3] Egypt Digital Portal (digital.gov.eg) — electronic traffic services. ^[4] Civil Status Law No. 143 of 1994 on registry-correction procedures.

Do you need to review your situation? Speak with a lawyer enrolled with the Egyptian Bar Association →