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How to apply

It is possible to apply for a driving licence at the Public Authority for Roads and Land Transport (PARD), a government agency that oversees all matters related to road safety in Kuwait. Their offices are in all major cities, towns and villages nationwide.

You will need to bring with you your passport, as well as one of the following documents:

An official letter from your employer stating that they have employed you for at least two years or
A police report stating that there are no criminal charges against you; or
A medical certificate confirming that no health problems are preventing you from driving
How to pass the exam to get a license

There are two types of driving licenses:

Driving license for cars and motorbikes, issued after passing a theory and practical test. The applicant must be at least 17 years old.
Driving license for trucks, which is issued after passing a theory test only. The applicant must be at least 18 years old.

Requirements for driving license

You must be at least 18 years old to get a driving licence in Kuwait. You will also have to pass a vision test, a medical exam, and a driving test.

You will also have to pass a driving test, which is held at the local police department. The test consists of three parts:

A theory test, which a driving instructor administers. This will include questions on road rules and traffic laws. You must pass this part with at least 80% to move on to the next step. A practical driving test in which you will drive under the supervision of a police officer or another authorized person

Types of driving license

There are several types of driving licenses in Kuwait. The main ones are:

Driving license for cars (private vehicles).
Driving license for motorcycles.
Driving license for trucks/lorries (commercial vehicles).
Driving license for buses and taxis

Categories of driving licences

In Kuwait, the driving licence is divided into two main categories. First is the Kuwaiti driving licence, and second is the foreign driving licence. The former applies to citizens or residents of Kuwait. In contrast, the latter applies to expatriates granted permission by the Ministry of Interior (MoI) to drive vehicles within Kuwait.

The MoI issues two driver’s licenses: ordinary and extraordinary/professional. A regular driver’s license allows its holder to operate private cars only; however, exceptional/professional approval can be obtained by those who want access to high-speed vehicles such as trucks or buses.

Rules & regulations for driving a car in Kuwait

In Kuwait, there are five categories of driving licence. These are:

Category A – Motorcycle (with or without sidecar) and tricycle
Category B – Car, jeep and van up to 3 tonnes
Category C – Heavy vehicles up to 4 tonnes
Category D – Light commercial vehicles up to 3 tonnes

All new drivers must take a theory test before taking their practical test. The theory test consists of 50 multiple-choice questions you must answer within 45 minutes. You must pass both parts before applying for your first driving license in Kuwait. To apply for a new license, you will need

Your passport.
Two passport-size photographs.
Proof that you have passed your theory test (a certificate or letter from the testing centre).

If these documents are unavailable, an affidavit from someone who has seen them can be provided instead.

We hope that this article has been helpful to you and answered all your questions about driving licenses in Kuwait. If there is anything else we can do for you, please let us know by leaving a comment below or contacting us directly via email. We look forward to hearing from you!