If your home country isn’t on the approved list, you must attend a Saudi driving school, complete lessons, and pass written and practical tests/ Representative Image
Just landed in Saudi Arabia and ready to take the wheel? Before you hit the roads of Riyadh or cruise through Jeddah, you’ll need to check if your foreign driving license qualifies for a direct conversion—or if you’ll need to start from scratch. Whether you’re a new resident or long-term expat, this guide walks you through the step-by-step process of converting your license or obtaining a new Saudi driving license, depending on your country of origin. Here’s everything you need to know—no guesswork, no runaround.
Who can drive in Saudi Arabia?
Foreigners are allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia under certain conditions. If you hold a valid international or foreign driving license, you may legally drive for up to one year from your date of arrival in the Kingdom, or until the license expires, whichever comes first.Key Driving Rules for Non-Saudi Residents:
- Legal driving age: 18 years
- Regulatory authority: Public Security Department under the Ministry of Interior
- Women: Legally allowed to drive since 2018
- Foreign license use: Permitted for up to one year
- GCC citizens: Can drive using their home country’s license until expiry
- Rental companies: Often require a Saudi-issued license
If you’re planning to stay longer than a year—or you’re applying for certain services—you’ll need to convert your license or obtain a new one, depending on where it’s issued from.
Countries eligible for direct license conversion
If you hold a valid driving license from one of the 48 approved countries, including GCC countries, you’re eligible to convert it directly into a Saudi driving license, no driving test required. However, an application, translation, documentation, and medical check are mandatory.List of approved countries for license conversion:
- Europe: Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
- Asia-Pacific: Australia, China, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea
- GCC and MENA: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates
- North America: Canada, United States
- Africa: South Africa
If your license is from one of these countries, here’s how you can convert it.
Step-by-step – How to convert your foreign license
Step 1: Translate your foreign license to Arabic
Your first task is to get your driving license officially translated into Arabic. Without this step, the conversion process will not proceed.
- Translation Cost: Around SAR 100 (~$27 USD)
- Timeframe: Usually takes 1–2 business days
- Where: Certified translation offices or online translation services
- Requirement: Must be stamped and officially approved
Step 2: Book an appointment on Absher
Use the official Absher portal (absher.sa) to book an appointment with the General Department of Traffic (Muroor).
- Navigate to: Appointments → Traffic → Replacement of Driving Licenses
- Choose your city (e.g. Riyadh)
- Upload your documents (translated license + original)
- Schedule a date (preferably 5–7 days ahead to allow time for your medical check)
- Download and keep the appointment confirmation PDF
Step 3: Pay the license fee via Sadad
Use your bank’s online app to access Sadad under Government Payments and select “Driving License Issuance.”
- Fee for 2 years: SAR 80 (~$21.60 USD)
- Fee for 5 years: SAR 250 (~$67.50 USD)
- Keep a printed payment receipt to include in your application
Step 4: Complete a medical examination
Visit an Efada-approved medical center for your health check, bringing:
- Valid Iqama (residency card)
- Original foreign license
- Two passport-sized photos
Tests include:
- Eye exam
- Blood group test
- General health check
- Cost: Between SAR 150–200 (~$40.50–$54.00 USD)
- Tip: Early morning visits usually mean shorter wait times
Step 5: Visit Muroor to finalize the process
On your appointment day, head to the designated Muroor office or traffic school with:
- Original foreign license
- Arabic translation
- Valid Iqama and passport
- Medical report
- Absher appointment confirmation
- License fee receipt
- Two passport-sized photos
If everything is in order and your license is from an approved country, you’ll receive your Saudi license the same day—no tests required.
What if your country isn’t on the approved list?
If your home country is not listed, you will need to apply as a new driver in Saudi Arabia. That means:
- Enrolling in a local driving school
- Completing both written and practical driving tests
- Paying for training sessions and test fees
This process is longer and involves multiple steps, including lessons and test scheduling, but is required for full legal driving eligibility in Saudi Arabia.
Summary: Eligibility, cost, and time breakdown
Eligibility overview
| Visitor type | Driving rights | |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist | Drive up to 1 year on foreign/international license | |
| GCC Citizen | Drive on home license until expiry (no need to convert unless resident) | |
| New Expat Resident | Drive up to 3 months on foreign license (not eligible for rentals) | |
| Long-Term Expat | Must convert or apply for a Saudi license | |
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Cost breakdown
| Item | Estimated cost (SAR) | USD equivalent (approx.) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| License Translation | SAR 100 | $27.00 | |
| Medical Test | SAR 150–200 | $40.50–$54.00 | |
| License Issuance (2 yrs) | SAR 80 | $21.60 | |
| License Issuance (5 yrs) | SAR 250 | $67.50 | |
| Misc. (Photos, Copies) | SAR 50–75 | $13.50–$20.25 | |
| Total Range | SAR 350–600 | $94.50–$162.00 | |
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