Types of Driving License in Saudi Arabia and The Requirements

If you’re living in Saudi Arabia, you will probably want to drive a car or motorcycle at some point. Of course, if you’re going to get a job to drive public passenger vehicles or transport commodities, you will need a different type of driver’s license.

In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of driving licenses in Saudi Arabia and their requirements. Let’s get right into it.

Private Driving License

If you want to drive your private car, manual or automatic, you will need to acquire a private driving license. This will allow you to drive any vehicle as long as it doesn’t weigh more than 3.5 tons. As the name suggests, a private driver’s license is restricted to private vehicles — this means you can’t drive a taxi or any other public licensed vehicle.

Any man or woman above the age of 18 years can apply for a private driver’s license in Saudi Arabia.

However, you need to provide the following documents to get processed:

Civil affairs ID photocopy.
Medical check-up report.
Six passport photos.
A receipt showing proof of payment.

Public Driving License

A public driving license in Saudi Arabia is required to drive a bus, taxi, or van. However, unlike a private driving license, you need to be at least 21 years to be eligible for a public driving license.

You also need to meet the following requirements:

Prove that your occupation requires a public driver’s license.
A medical check-up report.
Six passport photos.
Civil Affairs Office documents if you’re single. Alternatively, you can bring family record documents.
Proof that you don’t have a criminal record.
Receipts to show proof of payment.
If the government employs you, you should submit a reference letter.

Heavy Vehicle Driving License

If you’re applying for a job that involves driving heavy trucks, such as construction or cement trucks, you need a heavy vehicle driving license. Similar to a public driving license, you also need to be 21 years and above.

Besides that, you need the following requirements:

Complete the form that you will receive at the driving school.
Four passport photos.
Submit an identification letter from the relevant authorities. If you’re not a Saudi citizen, you need a letter from your sponsor.
Documents to support your occupation.
A receipt to show proof of payment.

Diplomatic Driving License

If you’re a diplomat, you can acquire a diplomatic driver’s license.

However, you’ll first need the following requirements:

Complete the application form — the driving school usually provides this.
An approved letter obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Four passport photos stamped by the relevant diplomatic authority.
A copy of your driver’s license obtained from your home country. However, it must be translated into Arabic and approved by the relevant diplomatic authority.

Foreign Driving License

Suppose you’ve just moved to Saudi Arabia from the USA, the EU, Canada, New Zealand, or neighboring Gulf countries. In that case, you can legally drive around in Saudi Arabia without taking the driving test — as long as you have a driver’s license from your home country. However, if you’re not from an exempted country, you will be required to take the driving test.

What will you need to submit during the application?

Complete the application form provided by the driving school.
A driver’s license obtained from your home country, translated into Arabic.
Four passport photos.
If you’re not a Saudi citizen, you need to submit an identification letter obtained from your sponsor.
Civil affairs ID photocopy.
Official passport and resident permit.
Receipts to show you have paid the required fee.

Temporary Private Driving License (Learner’s permit)

Suppose you’re 17 years old or older. In that case, you can apply for a temporary driver’s license or a learner’s permit in Saudi Arabia — both are available to Saudi and non-Saudi citizens. The temporary driver’s license won’t give you all the privileges you would enjoy with a full driver’s license, and you can only use it for one year.

Here’s all you need to be issued the license:

Medical check-up report.
6 passport photos.
A letter from your parent, guardian, or sponsor.
Civil Affairs ID if you’re a Saudi.
A travel passport if you’re not a Saudi citizen.

Motorcycle Driving License

If you’re 16 years or older, and you want to ride a motorcycle or a scooter, you will need a motorcycle driver’s license.

Here are some of the crucial things you will be asked to submit so that you can get processed:

A complete application form filled in at the driving school.
Four passport photos.
If you’re Saudi, you need to submit a photocopy of your civil ID.
If you’re not a Saudi citizen, you can submit a travel passport.
If you’re a Saudi resident, you need to submit your Iqama.
A consent letter from your parents/ guardian if you’re 16 or 17 years.
A Good Conduct certificate from the relevant authorities to show you have no criminal record.
Approved identification letter.