As of December 2000 there are no East Timor driver's permits and no formal requirement that drivers possess a driver's license of any kind. Driving in Dili is especially hazardous, with many large trucks and military vehicles sharing the streets with vendors, pedestrians and livestock. Many cars and especially motorcycles operate at night without lights. There is a seat belt law in East Timor that is enforced by the United Nations civilian police. There is no helmet law and wearing of helmets is virtually unknown.
Accidents are frequent.
During a recent month, seven people died in traffic accidents in Dili, a figure comparable to a medium-large city in the United States. UN civilian police should be contacted in the event of an accident. It is not uncommon for bystanders to attack the driver perceived to be responsible for a traffic accident. This is more common in rural areas and in accidents involving Timorese drivers, but expatriate drivers have occasionally been attacked by crowds at the scene of an accident. While it is possible to obtain insurance for vehicles in East Timor, only a handful of foreigners have done so and virtually no one else has automobile insurance.