New Driving License Rules in Kuwait 2025: All Explained
Kuwait has recently introduced new rules for obtaining a driving license in 2025. These regulations affect both Kuwaiti citizens and expatriates, setting specific requirements such as minimum salary thresholds and age limits for different types of licenses. Here’s an overview of the updated rules and requirements for obtaining a driving license in Kuwait.
Table Of Content
- 1 New Driving License Rules for Kuwaiti Citizens
- 2 New Driving License Rules for Expatriates in Kuwait
- 3 Motorcycle Driving License for Residents
- 4 Exceptions to New Driving License Rules in Kuwait for Residents
- 5 Age Requirements for Different License Types
- 6 Driving License Fees
- 7 Questions & Answers
- 8 References
New Driving License Rules for Kuwaiti Citizens
For Kuwaiti citizens, the process of obtaining a driving license involves the following criteria: [1]
- Age Requirements: The applicant must meet the minimum age requirement based on the type of license they are applying for. For example, a private driving license requires applicants to be at least 18 years old.
- Health Requirements: Applicants must pass a medical fitness test, which includes a physical and visual exam.
- Required Documents: Citizens need to submit the following:
- A completed application form approved by the Kuwaiti Traffic Department.
- A copy of the civil ID and passport.
- Two recent personal photos (4 cm×6 cm with a blue background).
- Proof of passing the medical examination.
- A certificate indicating eligibility to take the driving test.
- Registration in the National Military Service system (for males who have reached 18).
- Payment of the driving license application fees.
- Driving Test: After meeting the above requirements, the applicant must pass both the theoretical and practical driving tests conducted by the General Traffic Department.
New Driving License Rules for Expatriates in Kuwait
Expatriates must meet several additional requirements to obtain a driving license in Kuwait. These include:
- Age and Health Requirements: Applicants must meet the age criteria (18 years for private driving licenses, 21 years for others) and pass the medical fitness test.
- Minimum Salary and Education Requirements: Expats must have a legal residence permit for at least two years and meet the minimum salary requirement. The salary must be at least 600 Kuwaiti Dinars (KWD) for general and private driving licenses, and 120 KWD for motorcycle licenses. Additionally, a university degree is required.
- Required Documents: Expats need to submit:
- A completed application form approved by the Kuwaiti Traffic Department.
- A copy of the civil ID and passport.
- Two recent personal photos (4 cm×6 cm, blue background).
- A medical certificate confirming fitness.
- A valid work permit.
- A certificate indicating eligibility to take the driving test.
- Driving Test: As with citizens, expatriates must pass the theoretical and practical driving tests.
Motorcycle Driving License for Residents
Below you can find out the new Motorcycle driving license rules for residents in Kuwait:
- Minimum Age: 18 years old
- Must have legal residency for at least two years
- The applicant’s residency must indicate the profession as a motorcycle driver
- Minimum salary of 120 Kuwaiti dinars
- Pass the medical fitness test
- Successfully complete the theoretical and practical driving tests conducted by the General Traffic Department
- Book the test appointment via the Ministry of Interior website
- Submit the required documents
- Pay the driving license fees.
Exceptions to New Driving License Rules in Kuwait for Residents
Some categories of residents in Kuwait are exempt from certain conditions for obtaining a driving license. For instance:
| Categories | Residence Condition | Salary requirement | University degree requirement |
| The wife, widow or divorcee of a Kuwaiti who is a foreigner and has children from him. | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt |
| Husbands of Kuwaiti women and their children who are foreigners. | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt |
| Illegal residents who hold a valid security card and health insurance. | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt |
| Members of diplomatic corps. | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt |
| Professional players in clubs and sports federations in government agencies. | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt |
| Drivers and delegates in government agencies and general delegates only who have valid legal driving licenses issued by their country or any other country. | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt |
| Domestic workers and those in similar positions who have worked for a period of not less than (2) two consecutive years with the same sponsor, provided that the profession is changed to driver. | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt |
| Technicians specializing in oil fields in oil companies. | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt |
| Physiotherapists and all other medical professionals. | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt |
| Pilots and their assistants, captains, ship captains and guides | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt |
| Corpse washer. | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt |
| Housewives who are mothers or wives of pilots and their assistants, captains, ship captains and guides. | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt |
| Housewives who are mothers or wives of judges and members of the Public Prosecution. | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt |
| Housewives who are mothers or wives of consultants and experts. | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt |
| Housewives, mothers or wives of university and institute faculty members | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt |
| Housewives, mothers or wives of doctors and pharmacists. | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt |
| Housewives, mothers or wives of executive directors, general managers and their assistants | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt |
| Judges and members of the public prosecution | Exempt | Exempt | Not exempt |
| Consultants and experts. | Exempt | Exempt | Not exempt |
| Faculty members of universities and applied institutes. | Exempt | Exempt | Not exempt |
| Doctors and pharmacists. | Exempt | Exempt | Not exempt |
| Journalists and media professionals. | Exempt | Exempt | Not exempt |
| Engineers. | Exempt | Exempt | Not exempt |
| Veterinarians. | Exempt | Exempt | Not exempt |
| Researchers of all titles. | Exempt | Exempt | Not exempt |
| Legal professionals. | Exempt | Exempt | Not exempt |
| Translators | Exempt | Exempt | Not exempt |
| Teachers | Exempt | Exempt | Not exempt |
| Social workers | Exempt | Exempt | Not exempt |
| Librarians | Exempt | Exempt | Not exempt |
| Imams of mosques | Exempt | Exempt | Not exempt |
| Muezzins working in government agencies. | Exempt | Exempt | Not exempt |
| Sports coaches working in sports federations and clubs in government agencies. | Exempt | Exempt | Not exempt |
| Executive directors | Exempt | 600 KWD at least | Not exempt |
| General managers and their assistants with their various titles | Exempt | 600 KWD at least | Not exempt |
| Directors with all their titles | Exempt | 600 KWD at least | Not exempt |
| Accountants with all their titles | Exempt | 600 KWD at least | Not exempt |
| Physicists | Exempt | 600 KWD at least | Not exempt |
| Chemists | Exempt | 600 KWD at least | Not exempt |
| Geologists | Exempt | 600 KWD at least | Not exempt |
| Delegates with all their titles. | Exempt | 600 KWD at least | Not exempt |
Age Requirements for Different License Types
The new driving license rules in Kuwait outline the minimum age requirements based on the type of license:
| License Type | Minimum Age |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle Driving License | 18 years |
| Private Driving License | 18 years |
| General Driving License | 21 years |
| Construction Vehicle License | 21 years |
| Industrial Vehicle License | 21 years |
| Agricultural Vehicle License | 21 years |
| Tractor Driving License | 21 years |
| Special Activity Driving License | 21 years |
Driving License Fees
The fee structure for driving licenses in Kuwait is as follows:
| License Type | Test Fee | Retest Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Private Driving License | 10 KWD | – |
| General Driving License | 10 KWD | 5 KWD |
| Motorcycle Driving License | 10 KWD | 5 KWD |
| Construction Vehicle License | 10 KWD | 5 KWD |
| Industrial Vehicle License | 10 KWD | 5 KWD |
| Agricultural Vehicle License | 10 KWD | 5 KWD |
Conclusion
The new driving license rules in Kuwait for 2025 provide clarity on the requirements for both citizens and residents. Key updates include a minimum salary requirement for expatriates, changes in the age limits for specific licenses, and a clearer process for obtaining a driving license.
Questions & Answers
The minimum age is 18 years for private vehicles and 21 years for heavy vehicles.
Yes, applicants must have lived in Kuwait for at least 2 years with a valid residency permit.
Applicants must earn a minimum salary of KD 600 per month, as per 2025 rules.
Yes, students and housewives with valid reasons may be exempt but need supporting documents.
A private driving license is valid for 10 years under the new rules.
Yes, passing both theoretical and practical driving tests is mandatory.
Renewal depends on residency status, profession, and meeting eligibility criteria.
Existing license holders must meet renewal requirements under the updated regulations.