Kuwait limits expat driving licence to five years

Kuwait has announced a significant change to its driving licence system for expatriates. The validity of their driving licences will now last for five years. In contrast, Kuwaiti citizens and nationals from Gulf Cooperation Council countries will continue to have a 15-year validity period. This change was published in the Kuwaiti Official Gazette under Interior Minister Decision No. 425 of 2025. It updates several key rules regarding how licences are issued, renewed, and categorized, replacing some guidelines from a 1981 resolution. The new regulations create clear categories for driving licences. Private licences, which cover vehicles that can carry up to seven passengers and small transport vehicles, will now follow the updated validity periods based on the driver’s residency status. General driving licences are also divided into two categories to specify types of vehicles allowed. Category A includes heavy transport vehicles, such as buses and trucks carrying hazardous materials. Category B is for vehicles that can carry between seven and 25 passengers and those with a load capacity between two and eight tons. Drivers with a Category B licence cannot operate Category A vehicles. Motorcycle licences have also been restructured into two categories. Category A includes all motorcycles, while Category B is for three-wheeled motorcycles only. The validity periods of motorcycle licences will also depend on residency status. Additionally, the new rules introduce dedicated licences for vehicles in specialized sectors like construction and agriculture. There is also a special activity licence for vehicles used in specific jobs, which becomes invalid if the holder changes jobs or loses residency in Kuwait. The Ministry of Interior emphasized that while application procedures and fees will not change, strict compliance with the new rules will be enforced. Existing licences will remain valid until they expire, after which renewals must follow the new guidelines. Authorities believe this overhaul will improve road safety and align Kuwait’s transportation with international standards.