Major driving licence rules change in Kuwait: What expats and citizens should know

TL;DR:

• Kuwait has updated traffic law, granting 15‑year driving licence validity to Kuwaiti and GCC citizens, while non-Kuwaiti expatriates now receive licenses valid for 5 years.

• Resolution No. 425/2025 updates Article 85 of Ministerial Resolution 76/81, affecting private, general, motorcycle, and vocational licence categories.

• Implemented via Interior Minister Decision No. 425 of 2025, in effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette.

• Stateless residents (Bedouns) will hold licences only for the duration of their legal status review card. License types and new validity periods apply uniformly across private cars, taxis, motorcycles, and sector-specific vehicles.

Kuwait issued Interior Minister Decision No. 425 of 2025, amending key provisions of traffic regulations, specifically Article 85 of Ministerial Resolution No. 76/81. The update extends private and general driving licence validity to 15 years for Kuwaiti citizens and GCC nationals, while setting a 5-year validity for non-Kuwaiti residents. The rule takes immediate effect upon its publication in the Official Gazette, reshaping the licensing framework across vehicle categories.

What the Rule Changes
Licence Categories Affected
The amended regulations apply to multiple licence types:

• Private Licence: For vehicles with up to seven passengers, light transport vehicles under 2 tons, taxis, and ambulances.
  
  
• General Licence:
  
  
  • Category A: Heavy passenger vehicles (over 25-seat capacity), public transport, trailers, hazardous material carriers.
    
    
  • Category B: Transport vehicles carrying 7–25 passengers or weighing 2–8 tons.
    
    
• Motorcycle Licence:
  
  
  • Category A: All motorcycle types including training vehicles.
    
    
  • Category B: Three-wheel motorcycles and similar vehicles.
    
    
• Sector-Specific Licences: Construction, industrial, agricultural, tractor, and special activity licences, each now following updated validity rules.
  
  

Renewals & Exceptions

• Pre-2025 licences remain valid until their expiry date; renewals must comply with new durations.
  
  
• Bedoun individuals (stateless residents) continue to receive licences valid only for the length of their legal status review card.
  
  

Why It Matters

• Less Frequent Renewals: Expats now renew licences every five years instead of annually—streamlining bureaucracy.
  
  
• Regulatory Clarity: The update modernises vehicle classification and ensures consistency across licence types.
  
  
• Compliance Review Triggered: As part of implementation, over 66,000 expat licences were cancelled earlier this year for noncompliance or revoked residency status.
  
  
• Regional Alignment: The change brings Kuwait's system closer to GCC norms, supporting long-term residency planning.
  
  

Kuwait's amendment to traffic licensing laws marks a milestone in streamlining driving permit durations. Kuwaiti and GCC nationals now enjoy 15-year licences, while expatriates get 5-year validity, reducing administrative burdens and promoting continuity. By categorizing different vehicle types under unified rules, the reform advances regulatory clarity and supports long-term compliance. The cancellation of thousands of noncompliant licences underscores a move toward tighter enforcement and modernised traffic governance.

FAQ

• 1. How long is the new licence valid for Kuwaitis ?

Kuwaiti citizens now receive licences valid for 15 years.

• 2. What about expatriates?

Non-Kuwaiti residents get licences valid for 5 years.

• 3. Are old licences still valid?

Yes, until expiry. Renewals must follow the new validity terms.

• 4. What is the validity for Bedoun (stateless residents)?

Their licences are valid for the duration of their legal status review card.