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Cameroon: The Cameroonian driver's licence, including issuing conditions, in particular, the requirements for the holder's photo, the validity period and a detailed description of the licence; whether the driver's licence application must be submitted in person and whether the driver's licence and the requirements for obtaining it are the same across the country (May 2005)

Information on Cameroonian driver's licences was limited among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

According to two sources, the department of transportation in Cameroon issues the driver's licence (Afrik.com 6 Mar. 2003; The African Independent 7 Aug. 2004), and [translation] "the provincial transportation delegate (with that department) has the final say on all applications" (Afrik.com 6 Mar. 2003). Following the 2000 reform, [translation] "the regulations require a person to attend driver's education before obtaining a driver's licence" (ibid.), and [translation] "walk-ins" are therefore no longer allowed (Mutations 20 Apr. 2005). One source indicated that "a Cameroonian driver's licence can be obtained within 24 hours for a small fee" (OMNI n.d.).

Furthermore, [translation] "fake driver's licences are widespread in Cameroon," and [translation] "they appear real because they have the department of transportation's stamp and signature" (Afrik.com 6 Mar. 2003). A 23 July 2001 article on the Cameroon-Info.Net Website indicated that [translation] "police [had] identified individuals who were spending most of their time counterfeiting certificates and administrative documents such as ... driver's licences."

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Afrik.com. 6 March 2003. David Cadasse. "S'acheter une conduite au Cameroun : faux permis de conduire." <http://www.afrik.com/article5776.html> [Accessed 10 May 2005]

The African Independent. 7 August 2004. Ndzana Seme. "L'opposition de 'l'entrisme' sur une voie sans issue : une solution unique se dégage pour arrêter les fraudes électorales." <http://www.africanindependent.com/cam_elections_fraudes_uniquesolution070804.html> [Accessed 24 May 2005]

Cameroun-Info.Net. 23 July 2001. "Carte nationale d'identité informatisée : la délivrance se poursuit jusqu'au 31 décembre 2001." <http://www.cameroon-info.net/cmi_show_news.php?id=8175> [Accessed 24 May 2005]

Mutations [Yaoundé]. 20 April 2005. Pascal E. Dang. "Dieudonné Nyoumssi : pilote de la formation en conduite automobile." <http://fr.allafrica.com/stories/200504200669.html> [Accessed 10 May 2005]

Overseas Moving Network International (OMNI). n.d. "Omni Country Guide for Cameroon." <http://www.omnimoving.com/country_guides/Cameroon.doc> [Accessed 24 May 2005]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: The Chargé d'Affaires at the High Commission for the Republic of Cameroon in Ottawa did not respond to a request for information within the time constraints of this Response.

Internet sites, including: AllAfrica, European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI), Government of Cameroon, High Commission for the Republic of Cameroon, International Crisis Group (ICG), Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United States Department of State.