How to Get a Car License in Saudi Arabia

If you're moving to the Kingdom or your home-country license is about to expire, getting a car license in Saudi Arabia is probably on your short list of annoying errands. Here's the straight version — who needs what, how long it takes, and where people lose time.

Quick answer

To get a car license in Saudi Arabia, you need to be at least 18, pass a medical exam, enroll at an approved driving school (unless you're converting a recognised foreign license), and sit a theory and practical test. Fees run around SAR 400–2,400 depending on the school package. Residents (iqama holders) and citizens apply through Absher or the Muroor (General Directorate of Traffic) offices. Holders of licenses from GCC countries, the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, and several others can convert without retesting ^[1][2].

Who needs a Saudi license and when

Tourists on a visit visa can drive on an International Driving Permit for up to 3 months. After that, if you hold an iqama, you must get a car license in Saudi Arabia issued locally. Driving on an expired foreign license once you're a resident is a traffic violation with fines starting at SAR 300, and your car insurance may not pay out after an accident. That last part matters more than the fine.

Minimum age is 18 for a private car license. For motorcycles it's 17, for heavy vehicles 20 ^[2].

The two paths: conversion vs. full test

Converting a foreign license. Saudi Arabia recognises licenses from roughly 30 countries, including all GCC states, the US, UK, most of the EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Turkey, and South Africa. You'll need your original license, a certified Arabic translation (if not already bilingual), passport, iqama, eye test, and the fee. No theory or practical test required in most cases. Processing at an approved driving school like Dallah, Jeddah Advanced, or Saudi Driving School usually takes 1–3 visits.

Full training path. If your country isn't on the recognition list, you're starting from scratch. Expect:

• Opening a file at a driving school (bring iqama, passport, 4 photos, eye test certificate)
• Theory classes and computerised theory test
• Practical classes — the number of hours depends on your assessed level (6 to 30 hours is normal)
• Parking test and road test
• License issuance through Muroor

Honestly, the practical hours assessment is where costs balloon. If the instructor rates you as a beginner, you're buying the full package even if you've driven for a decade back home.

Costs (approximate, 2026): - Conversion package: SAR 400–800 - Full beginner package (women, 30 hrs): SAR 2,400–2,800 - Full beginner package (men, 30 hrs): SAR 1,800–2,400 - License fee: SAR 40 per year (10-year license = SAR 400) - Eye test: SAR 50–100

Documents and where to apply

You apply through an accredited driving school, which handles the Muroor paperwork on your behalf. Walk-in at the Traffic Department directly is possible only for conversions in some regions. Required documents:

• Original iqama (valid, not expiring within 90 days)
• Passport with valid visa
• Original foreign license + certified Arabic translation (conversion only)
• Eye test from an approved optician
• Blood type certificate (some schools still ask; many don't)
• 4 recent passport photos

Payment is through SADAD, Mada, or in-person at the school. Once issued, the license is linked to your Absher account automatically and you can download a digital copy via the Tawakkalna or Absher app — the digital version is legally valid under the Traffic Law (Royal Decree M/85 of 1428H), Art. 36 ^[3].

Renewals, penalties, and what trips people up

Licenses are issued for 10 years for citizens and typically matched to iqama duration for residents (up to 10 years). Renew through Absher before expiry; late renewal costs SAR 100 for the first year late, rising after. Driving on an expired license is SAR 300–500.

Three things worth knowing:

Your license is suspended automatically if you accumulate 24 points under the Saher traffic points system — reinstatement requires a retest. If your iqama expires, your driving license is effectively frozen until you renew it, even if the license itself still has years on it. And women drivers who converted older international licenses sometimes face extra scrutiny at renewal; keep your original translation and school file reference handy.

For related procedures, see our guide on traffic fines and the Saher system.