Kuwait has announced revised rules for issuing driving licences in the country in a major shift that will seen the validity of licenses issued to expats dropped to just one year, while Kuwaitis and GCC citizens will receive 15 years.
Ministerial Decision No. 410 of 2023 was announced by First Deputy Prime Minister, acting Defence Minister and Interior Minister Shaikh Talal Al Khalid, amending several provisions of Resolution No. 81 of 1976 pertaining to the executive regulations of the traffic law.
The new law affects those licenses issued for driving private cars, taxis and transport cars as well as two categories of 'general market licences': Category 'A', which includes vehicles with more than 25 passengers and Category 'B' includes vehicles transporting hazardous substances.
Motorbike licences are also addressed in the revamped regulations and a salary requirement has been introduced for motorised bicycle licenses, which should not be less than KD120 (BD147).
Certain categories that have been excluded from the licence conditions are wives of Kuwaitis, widows or divorcees with children from foreign partners, husbands and children of Kuwaiti women, illegal residents with valid cards, housewives with children whose husbands hold a valid licence, members of diplomatic bodies, professional players at sports clubs, and government representatives, amongst others.
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