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Kuwait Driving License Requirements 2025

Kuwait Driving License Requirements 2025
Kuwait Driving License Requirements
ByIgwe Ifeanyi Updated

There are certain conditions that are required for Kuwait occupants before they can obtain a driving license. These Kuwait driving license requirements vary for both citizens and expatriates, and we are going to be reviewing them in this article.

Driving License Requirements for Kuwait Citizens

To obtain a driving license in Kuwait as a citizen, you must fulfill the following requirements:

License type Vehicle requirements Age requirement Other requirements
Private license
  • Vehicles may be privately owned, accommodating not more than passengers.
  • Small trucks not weighing more than 2 tons.
 18
  • Submit the necessary documents.
  • Provide proof of registration at the National Military Service System. 
  • Successfully pass the driving tests coordinated by the Kuwait Traffic Department.
  • Successfully pass the health, fitness, and visual tests .
  • Pay the applicable driving license fees.
General license
  • Medium vehicles with 7-25 passenger capacity.
  • Heavy vehicles capable of accommodating over 25 passengers.
  • Trailers, hazardous material vehicles, etc.
 21
  • Same as above
Motorcycle license
  • All types of motorcycles
  • Motorized vehicles with 3 wheels or more
 18
  • Same as above.

Driving License Kuwait Requirements for Expats

To obtain a driving license in Kuwait as an expatriate, you must fulfill the following requirements:

License type Vehicle requirement  Age requirement  Other requirements
Private license
  • Private cars (up to 7 passengers), small trucks (up to 2 tons)
 18
  • Submit the necessary documents required from citizens in applying for a driving license.
  • Must have resided in Kuwait for at least 2 years for non-exempted candidates. 
  • Possess a university degree for non-exempted candidates. 
  • Earn a minimum monthly salary of 600 Kuwait Dinars for non-exempted careers. 
  • Successfully pass the driving tests coordinated by the Kuwait Traffic Department.
  • Successfully pass the health and fitness tests coordinated by the Kuwait Traffic Department.
  • Pay the applicable driving license fees.
General license
  • Medium vehicles (7–25 passengers), trucks with 2–8 ton capacity
  • Heavy vehicles (more than 25 passengers), public transport, trailers, hazardous material vehicles, and driving school vehicles
 21
  • Same as above
Motorcycle license
  •  All types of motorcycles
  •  Motorized bicycles with 3 or more wheels
 18
  • Earn a minimum monthly salary of 120 Kuwait Dinars for non-exempted careers
  • Same as above

Documents Required for a Kuwait Driving License for Citizens

These are the documents required from Kuwait citizens in applying for a driving license:

  • A filled-out driving license application form from the Kuwait Traffic Department.
  • Civil ID and a copy.
  • A copy of passport,
  • Two personal photos with the following specifications:
    • Clear, blue background.
    • 4 cm × 6 cm in size.
  • Form indicating that the applicant has passed the theoretical driving tests.
  • • A form indicating that the applicant has passed the practical driving tests.
  • Blood type certificate.

Documents Required for a Kuwait Driving License for Expats

Kuwait expats applying for a driving license are required to provide the following documents: [1]

  • A filled-out driving license application form from the Kuwait Traffic Department.
  • Civil ID and a copy.
  • A copy of passport,
  • Two personal photos with the following specifications:
    • Clear, blue background.
    • 4cm × 6cm in size.
  • Original work permit bearing the signature of the employing entity. 
  • Security clearance certificate from stateless residents. 
  • Form indicating that the applicant has passed the theoretical driving tests.
  • • A form indicating that the applicant has passed the practical driving tests. 
  • Medical tests certification for driving license. 
  • Medical test certification for driving license. 
  • Blood type certificate.

Exemptions to the Kuwait Driving License Requirements for Residents 

The table below highlights the categories of Kuwait residents that are not required to fulfill the residency, salary, and educational requirements for a driving license: 

Resident Categories Residency Requirement Salary Requirement  Educational Requirement
Spouse of a Kuwaiti Citizen (with children), or widow/divorcee of a Kuwaiti citizen with children No residency requirement No salary requirement No educational requirement
Spouse of a Kuwaiti wife and their children No residency requirement No salary requirement No educational requirement
Stateless members with valid security card and health insurance No residency requirement No salary requirement No educational requirement
Diplomatic members No residency requirement No salary requirement No educational requirement
Professional club players in government sports federations No residency requirement No salary requirement No educational requirement
Drivers/agents of government agencies with valid foreign driving license No residency requirement No salary requirement No educational requirement
Domestic workers with 2+ years with same sponsor (and profession change to driver) No residency requirement No salary requirement No educational requirement
Oil field technicians/specialists No residency requirement No salary requirement No educational requirement
Physiotherapists & other medical field technicians No residency requirement No salary requirement No educational requirement
Pilots, co-pilots, captains, helmsman, and guides of service vessels No residency requirement No salary requirement No educational requirement
Morticians No residency requirement No salary requirement No educational requirement
Housewife with children, married to someone in specific professions (see document for professions) No residency requirement No salary requirement No educational requirement
Judges and members of public prosecution No residency requirement No salary requirement Educational requirement applies
Consultants and experts No residency requirement No salary requirement Educational requirement applies
Faculty members in universities and applied education institutes No residency requirement No salary requirement Educational requirement applies
Doctors and Pharmacists No residency requirement No salary requirement Educational requirement applies
Journalists and reporters No residency requirement No salary requirement Educational requirement applies
Engineers No residency requirement No salary requirement Educational requirement applies
Veterinarians No residency requirement No salary requirement Educational requirement applies
Researchers, law members, translators, teachers, social workers, librarians, mosque imams, muezzins, and government employees No residency requirement No salary requirement Educational requirement applies
Sport trainers in sport federations and public sector clubs No residency requirement No salary requirement Educational requirement applies
Executives, General Managers, and their assistants No residency requirement Salary requirement applies Educational requirement applies
Managers (all titles) No residency requirement Salary requirement applies Educational requirement applies
Accountants (all titles) No residency requirement Salary requirement applies Educational requirement applies
Physicists, Chemists, and Geologists No residency requirement Salary requirement applies Educational requirement applies
Representatives and Delegates No residency requirement Salary requirement applies Educational requirement applies

Age Requirements for Kuwait Driving Licenses

The following table shows the age requirements for different license categories in Kuwait: 

License Type Minimum Age
Private Driving license 18 years
Category A General Driving license 21 years
Category B General Driving license 21 years
Category A Motorcycle license 18 years
Category B

 Motorcycle license

 18 years
Construction, Industrial, Agricultural, or Tractor License 21 years
Special Activity Driving license 21 years

Conclusion

Obtaining a driving license in Kuwait involves specific conditions. As the article highlights, these requirements differ for both Kuwaiti citizens and expats, offering provisions for certain exemptions. If you are able to meet these requirements, then you can easily get a Kuwait license.

Questions & Answers

What is the minimum age to apply for a driving license in Kuwait?

The minimum age for a driving license in Kuwait ranges between the ages of 18 and 21, depending on the license category.

What are the requirements for an expat to obtain a driving license in Kuwait?

Expatriates in Kuwait (with exemptions) are required to have a university degree, a minimum salary of 600 KD, and a residency duration of 2 years in order to obtain a driving license.

Are there any exemptions to the Kuwait driving license requirements for expatriates?

Yes, certain categories of expats are exempted from the educational, residency, and salary driving license requirements.

Is it possible to convert a foreign driving license to a Kuwaiti one?

Yes, expatriates can convert their valid foreign driving licenses by submitting the necessary documents and passing evaluation tests.

What are the documents required for a Kuwait driving license?

The documents required for a Kuwait driving license include civil ID, passport, personal photos, blood type documents, and traffic laws-related certifications.

How long is a driving license valid in Kuwait?

The driving license validity for citizens and residents is 15 years and 5 years, respectively.

Are digital driving licenses accepted in Kuwait?

Yes, digital licenses, primarily used by expats in Kuwait, are accepted in the country.

References

[1]moi.gov.kwdriving license conditions24 Apr 2025
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