US Ambassador to Senegal and to Guinea-Bissau Website



Lewis LukensUS Ambassador to Senegal and to Guinea-Bissau

On behalf of the President of the United States and the American people, welcome to the United States Embassy in Dakar, Senegal. We have designed our website to make it easy for you to navigate. You will find a number of different links, organized to facilitate your search for information, be it on the United States, the many sections that make up the Embassy, or the process for applying for a visa for entry into the U.S.

Senegal is one of our most important allies in Africa based on a long history of close cooperation and friendship. Together we have worked to promote human rights, disarmament, conflict resolution and peace-keeping missions on the African continent, and Senegal has been an invaluable partner in the fight against the scourge of HIV/AIDS and international terrorism. USAID has devoted over $204 million (1998-2006) for programs to develop Senegal’s private sector businesses, strengthen democracy and support health and education. The Peace Corps has been working in Senegal since 1963. At any given time, more than 230 volunteers are offering their talents to help Senegalese help themselves.

The Embassy is also responsible for conducting bilateral relations with Guinea-Bissau, where we are working to help the Government achieve its goals of national reconciliation, democracy building, and economic growth. U.S. assistance programs include strengthening the capacity of Guinea-Bissau's Popular National Assembly, cashew sector, and health and education delivery systems. A USDA-funded Food for Education program is feeding thousands of school children and providing protection against malaria. We are also assisting with de-mining efforts, small community projects through the Ambassador's Self-Help Program, and construction projects through our Office of Defense Cooperation's humanitarian assistance program.

You can learn more about the U.S. Embassy and the work we do here in Senegal by following links on topics that interest you. Thank you for visiting our site, and we invite you to stop by often for regular updates about the Embassy. I hope you will find our site enjoyable and informative, and if you have any comment, suggestion or idea about how to make this service more complete and useful, do not hesitate to send us feedback.
Thank you,
Lewis LukensUS Ambassador to Senegal and to Guinea-Bissau Wesite: http://dakar.usembassy.gov/index.html

Driving in Senegal -Renting a car

Here are a few of the company's that offer rentals in the airport. Alamo, National, Avis, Europcar,  and Hertz
 

DRIVING IN SENEGAL

Driving in Senegal can be difficult since many drivers do not follow the regulations.  Senegal uses right-hand drive.  Vehicles should give priority to traffic coming from the right, except at traffic circles, where vehicles already in the circle have the right of way.

Senegalese law prohibits the use of cell phones while driving, unless the driver is using “hands-free” equipment.  Protective helmets are mandatory for all bicycle, moped, scooter and motorcycle drivers/riders and passengers.
When police officers stop a vehicle for a traffic violation, the police officer will generally confiscate the driver’s license or i.d. card until the fine is paid.

Required Documents

All drivers in Senegal are required to have the following documents in the vehicle: 

• Carte Grise: This is the vehicle registration and is a trifold paper about 3 ½ x 8 inches.  In the upper left corner it states No. Immat Vehicle and lists the license plate number.
• Declaration en Douane: This is the customs declaration if you imported your vehicle into Senegal. 
• Attestation D’Assurance: This is a yellow insurance card that is placed in a small plastic shield on the inside front windshield of the car.  This card must be renewed annually. 
• Vignette: Tax disc for the current year.
• Valid driver’s license: Drivers must either obtain a Senegalese drivers license or present their U.S. driver’s license.
• Copy of your passport: Make a copy of the front of the passport, the biographic page, and the page with your Senegalese visa.

Police officers have the authority to detain individuals who do not have these required documents.

Accidents

Drivers are required to purchase third-party insurance, which will cover damages resulting in injuries where the driver is not at fault.  If a driver is found to have caused an accident, the penalty ranges from five months to two years in prison, with a possible fine.  If a driver causes an accident that results in a death, the penalty can be as high as five years in prison. 

You are encouraged to take the following actions if involved in an automobile accident:

• Do not move the vehicle unless it is causing a traffic hazard.
• If a crowd forms and you feel you are in jeopardy, move immediately to a safe area.
• In the case of a minor accident with minimal damage and no injuries, you may wish to attempt to settle the incident.  Involving the authorities will likely take a minimum of four hours.  If you need to contact the authorities, the Central Police Station in downtown Dakar has a mobile accident investigation unit.  If you call the Police Station at 823-2529 or 823-2333, they will give you the cell phone number of the officer on duty with the mobile unit.  Most police officers in Senegal do not speak English.
• Remain calm. Avoid aggravating or inciting the other driver, the victim, or observers.
• Do not challenge a police officer or withhold documents or information.