First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Interior, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, has announced significant amendments to the provisions of Ministerial Resolution No. 81/1976, pertaining to the executive regulations of the Traffic Law. This decision is expected to enhance the regulatory framework governing driving licenses and vehicle inspections in Kuwait.

Key Changes to Driving License Validity

The following changes have been made to the validity periods of various driving licenses:

• Private Driving License: A private driving license for operating private cars with a maximum of seven passengers, transport vehicles with a load capacity of up to two tons, and taxis will be valid for 15 years for Kuwaitis and GCC nationals. For non-Kuwaitis, the validity is set at three years, while for Bedouns, it will depend on the validity of their security card.
• General Driving License Category ‘A’: This license, which permits the driving of passenger transport vehicles with more than 25 passengers, public transport vehicles, transport vehicles, locomotives, trailers, and semi-trailers exceeding eight tons, as well as vehicles transporting hazardous materials, is valid for 10 years for Kuwaitis and GCC nationals. The license is valid for three years for non-Kuwaitis, with Bedouns’ validity linked to their security card status.
• General Driving License Category ‘B’: This category allows driving passenger transport vehicles with more than seven and up to 25 passengers, public transport vehicles, and transport vehicles with capacities ranging from two to eight tons. The validity periods are similar to Category ‘A’.
• Restriction on License Use: Holders of a General Driving License Category ‘B’ are not permitted to operate vehicles classified under Category ‘A’.
• Pre-existing Licenses: Licenses issued prior to the new amendments will remain valid until their original expiry dates.

Motorcycle License and Other Regulations

The amendments also include provisions for motorcycle licenses:

• Motorcycle Driving License Category ‘A’: This license is now valid for all types of motorcycles and permits holders to teach others how to drive motorcycles.

Additionally, the General Traffic Department (GTD) has updated policies for expatriates, increasing the validity of their driving licenses from one year to three years, contingent upon meeting legal conditions. Importantly, drivers are now required to use the ‘Kuwait Mobile ID’ application, eliminating the need for physical license printing.

Vehicle Inspection Schedule Changes

New regulations regarding the technical inspection of vehicles have also been introduced:

• Newly purchased vehicles and motorcycles will undergo their first technical inspection three years after purchase, followed by inspections every three years after the first, totaling eight years.
• Private transport vehicles will now require technical inspections three years after the first inspection, as opposed to the previous two-year interval.