Effective today, expatriates residing in Kuwait will now have their driving licenses exclusively in electronic format. The new regulation, specified under Ministerial Resolution No. 410 of 2023, states that these electronic licenses will be valid for one year and can be renewed. However, domestic and cross-country truck drivers are exempted from this order and will continue to use physical driving licenses.
For international travel, Kuwaiti residents must utilize driving licenses issued by their respective countries. This information was reported by Al-Rai daily, a local news outlet, emphasizing the importance of adhering to international driving regulations when traveling abroad.
The decision to implement electronic driving licenses for residents was prompted by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled. Instructing the General Traffic Department, he emphasized the need to rely solely on electronic driving licenses for in-country residents. This new measure, which takes effect today, aims to eliminate the need for physical documents and streamline the licensing process.
Residents can now conveniently renew their driving licenses electronically through the Ministry of Interior’s website or the “Sahel” unified government application. Applications meeting the decision criteria will be electronically accepted, and the license can be activated within the “Sahel” application under the section labeled as “My Identity.”
To verify the validity of their license, residents can use the “My ID” application, where a green mark indicates a valid license, while a red mark indicates an expired one. In the case of an expired license, residents must renew it through the “Sahl” application or take appropriate action according to traffic laws, which may require a visit to the General Traffic Department within Kuwait.
It is important to note that for international travel, residents must use driving licenses issued by their respective countries. This means that when traveling outside of Kuwait, residents should ensure they have their valid driving license from their home country to comply with international regulations.
The Ministry of Interior highlights that these measures align with their ongoing efforts towards digital transformation. By implementing electronic driving licenses, the Ministry aims to streamline processes, reduce paperwork, and optimize resource allocation. This transition to electronic licenses is part of a broader initiative to digitize various services provided by the Ministry of Interior, enhancing efficiency and convenience for residents.
In conclusion, expatriates residing in Kuwait will now have their driving licenses exclusively in electronic format. These licenses will be valid for one year, subject to renewal, with the exception of domestic and cross-country truck drivers. For international travel, residents must use driving licenses issued by their respective countries. The Ministry of Interior’s digital transformation efforts aim to simplify processes, reduce paperwork, and improve resource allocation.
Source: TimesKuwait
