In a significant regulatory update, Kuwait has shortened the validity of driving licences for expatriates to five years, while maintaining a 15-year validity period for Kuwaiti nationals and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens. The move, formalized under Interior Minister Decision No. 425 of 2025, marks a major overhaul of the country’s licensing framework.
Published in the Kuwaiti Official Gazette, the new directive updates Ministerial Resolution No. 76 of 1981, revising the issuance, renewal, and classification of driving licences. Stateless individuals, commonly referred to as Bidoons, will continue to receive licences with validity limited to the duration of their residency review cards.
Revised Licence Classifications
The updated regulations redefine licence categories based on vehicle type and function: 
- Private Licences: Applicable to passenger vehicles with up to seven seats, including small transport vehicles (maximum two-ton capacity) and taxis. The new five-year limit applies to expatriates, while citizens retain a 15-year validity.
- General Driving Licences: Split into two subcategories:
- Category A: Covers heavy transport vehicles carrying more than 25 passengers, public transportation buses, trucks exceeding eight tons, and vehicles used for hazardous material transport or driving instruction.
- Category B: Applies to vehicles transporting between seven and 25 passengers and transport vehicles with a two-to-eight-ton load capacity. Drivers in this category are restricted from operating Category A vehicles.
- Motorcycle Licences: Divided into:
- Category A: Includes all motorcycles, including those used for training and off-road instruction.
- Category B: Limited to three-wheeled motorcycles or those with additional stabilizing wheels.
Additionally, a specialised vehicle licence has been introduced for construction, industrial, agricultural, and tractor-based transport. These licences, along with a newly defined special activity licence for service vehicles, will be strictly tied to the holder’s job function and residency status.
Implementation and Enforcement
While application procedures and licensing fees remain unchanged, authorities emphasize stricter enforcement of classification and validity periods. Existing licences will remain valid until their expiration, after which renewals must align with the updated regulations.
The Ministry of Interior states that these measures are designed to improve road safety, enhance regulatory oversight, and bring Kuwait’s traffic policies in line with international best practices.
