Kuwait: Expats Can Now Reissue Their Physical Driving License For Just KWD10

If you happen to be an expat who lives in Kuwait, and you are planning to travel abroad with the intention of driving in a foreign country, you are probably encountering a problem. This problem is the fact that digital Kuwaiti driving license is not accepted outside the country in some cases. So, this becomes quite a bit of a roadblock when it comes to renting a car or needing a valid ID while travelling. Here’s how you can apply for a physical driving license that is travelling abroad.

Kuwait Expats Can Now Get A Physical Driving License

Things have changed since April 2025 for expats holding a digital driving license. Yes, as revealed by the Ministry of Interior in Kuwait, expats can now get a printed physical driving license. This development comes after restrictions, which made a digital-only license the norm in the country. Now, by following a simple process and paying a fee of KWD10, expats can carry physical licenses. This will help them in travelling as these are actually recognised in most countries.

What About The Process?

Going by the new rule, the reinstatement of this option for expats, as revealed by the Times of India, is going to make life easier for them. Although a digital license is fully valid for usage inside Kuwait, the physical license will help people who were travelling abroad.

• Coming to the process, it’s quite simple. All you need to do is visit the traffic department of the governorate where your license was originally issued. The waiting time will be on the basis of whether you’re applying as an expat, individual, or on behalf of a company.
• Next, you need to head to the typing centre and take a reassurance form. The service generally costs KWD1, and for this, you will need your civil ID copy, a copy of your digital license, and an old physical license if any.
• Once the form has been duly filled, it must be submitted at the designated counter, with a fee of KWD10 must be paid for reassurance. In case the old physical license is missing, you will have to shell out an extra KWD10.
• Once done, at the printer counter, you can hand over your document and wait for your name to be called. Your new license will be ready to be picked up on the same day. However, this might depend on how busy the centre happens to be.

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Why Was It Digitised?

This development comes at a time when the General Traffic Department has digitised driving licenses of all types. A ruling that took place in late 2023 the aim was to streamline government services and cut down on paperwork. However, a major downside happened to be the fact that these were not widely recognised outside Kuwait. As a result, many expats were unable to rent vehicles or drive abroad, even though they held a valid digital license in Kuwait.

So, if you are also someone who has to travel abroad and has a digital-only license, you can now get your driving license reissued in a physical form.

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