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Driving License Kuwait Requirements for Expats

ByMofeda AdnanUpdated20 April 2025 - 9:55am

expats in Kuwait can obtain a new license if they wish to drive their vehicles within Kuwait, according to specific conditions and requirements stated in the Traffic Law. The law also mentions some categories of expats who may be exempted from some of the conditions for obtaining a driving license.

1 Driving License Kuwait Requirements for Expats
2 Who is exempt from Driving License Kuwait Requirements for Expats
3 Questions & Answers
4 References

Driving License Kuwait Requirements for Expats

The General Traffic Department in Kuwait has set the following conditions for obtaining a driver’s license for expats: ^[1]

Driving License Kuwait Conditions for Expats

The expat must meet the age requirement depending on the type of license.
The expat must meet the health requirement.
The expat must be able to pass the driving test conducted by the General Traffic Department.
The expat must have legal residency in Kuwait, with the exception of certain cases.
The expat must have a minimum of two years of residence in Kuwait, with the exception of certain cases.
The expat’s monthly salary must not be less than (600) Kuwaiti dinars, with the exception of certain cases.
The expat must hold a university degree, with the exception of certain cases.

Documents Required to Driving License Kuwait for Expats

Driver’s License Issuance Form.
Four (4) recent, color passport photos of the expat, in the required size.
Identity documents proving the expat, such as a valid civil ID or passport.
A valid residency permit for the expat in Kuwait.
A proof of address.
A passport or nationality document.
A proof of profession.
Age verification certificate (birth certificate).
Driver’s license fee payment receipt.
Health certificate completed on the license application form.

Driving License Kuwait Age Requirements for Expats

The expat must meet the required age requirements depending on the type of driver’s license, as outlined in the following points:

The expat must be at least (18) years old for a private driving license.
The expat must be at least (21) years old for a general driving license.
The expat must be at least (18) years old for a motorcycle driving license.
The expat must be at least (21) years old for a construction, industrial, agricultural, or tractor vehicle driving license.
The expat must be at least (21) years old for a private activity driving license.

Driving License Kuwait Health Requirements for Expats

The health requirements for obtaining a driver’s license for expats in Kuwait are as follows:

The individual must be physically healthy and free of any disabilities or illnesses that directly impact safe driving.
The individual must have good eyesight, which is assessed based on the integrity of the inner lining of the eye, visual acuity, and the ability to distinguish colors.

Driving License Kuwait Driving Test Requirements for Expats

Granting an expat driver’s license in Kuwait requires passing the license test according to the following conditions:

The expat must confirm ability to drive a vehicle of the same category as the driver’s license.
The expat must be able to pass the written theoretical test on traffic etiquette, signs, signals, and vehicle mechanics.
The expat must be able to pass the practical test on starting, starting, turning, sudden stops, parking, etc.
The expat holding a foreign driver’s license must submit a license certificate for exemption from the test along with the prescribed form.

Who is exempt from Driving License Kuwait Requirements for Expats

You can find out Who among non-Kuwaitis is exempt from the driving license requirements by this following table:

Category	Exception to salary requirement	Exception to the certificate requirement	Exception to the duration requirement
Physiotherapists and all other medical professionals	Exempt from the salary condition	Exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Veterinarians.	Exempt from the salary condition	Not exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Doctors and pharmacists	Exempt from the salary condition	Not exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Researchers of all titles, lawyers, translators, teachers, social workers, librarians, mosque imams and muezzins working in government agencies	Exempt from the salary condition	Not exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Drivers and delegates in government agencies, and general delegates who have a valid legal driving license issued by their country or any other country	Exempt from the salary condition	Exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Journalists and media professionals	Exempt from the salary condition	Not exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Pilots and their assistants, captains, ship leaders and guides	Exempt from the salary condition	Exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Domestic workers, and those in similar positions who work for a period of not less than two consecutive years with the same sponsor, provided that the profession is changed to driver	Exempt from the salary condition	Exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Technicians specializing in oil fields in oil companies	Exempt from the salary condition	Not exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Physicists, chemists and geologists	not exempt from the salary condition	Not exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Judges and members of the Public Prosecution	Exempt from the salary condition	Not exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Professional players in clubs and sports federations in government agencies	Exempt from the salary condition	Exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Accountants of all titles	not exempt from the salary condition	Not exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Executive directors, general managers and their assistants with their various titles	not exempt from the salary condition	Not exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Managers of all titles	not exempt from the salary condition	Not exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Sports coaches working in sports federations and clubs in government agencies	Exempt from the salary condition	Not exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Consultants and experts	Exempt from the salary condition	Not exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Residents Illegal residents holding cards issued by the Central Agency for Illegal Residents and valid health insurance cards	Exempt from the salary condition	Exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Delegates of all titles	not exempt from the salary condition	Not exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Engineers	Exempt from the salary condition	Not exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Foreign husbands and children of Kuwaiti women	Exempt from the salary condition	Exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Members of diplomatic corps	Exempt from the salary condition	Exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Faculty members in universities and applied institutes	Exempt from the salary condition	Not exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Housewives who have children, provided that their husbands are among the categories permitted to hold a driving license exempt from the conditions of residence period and salary	Exempt from the salary condition	Exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
The wife, widow or divorcee of a Kuwaiti who has children from him	Exempt from the salary condition	Exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement
Corpse washers	Exempt from the salary condition	Exempted from the certificate requirement	Exempted from the duration requirement

Conclusion

Obtaining a driving license for non-Kuwaitis is linked to meeting a set of requirements. These requirements include age, health fitness, good eyesight, and the ability to drive. Any expat who does not meet the conditions cannot obtain a driving license in Kuwait, except for specific exceptions.