Getting a driving license in Saudi Arabia 2026 is mostly a system + paperwork process: make sure your Iqama/ID is valid, complete the medical check, book the right Absher traffic appointment, finish driving school + tests, then issue the license and pick the validity period.
What’s new in 2026 (in real terms)
Not a dramatic “new law” year — the main change is how digital the flow is:
- Appointments for license issuance are handled through Absher traffic services (you’ll see the “Issue Driving License” flow under Traffic appointments). (absher.sa)
- The core eligibility and document requirements remain consistent on the Ministry of Interior (MOI) driving license requirements pages. (moi.gov.sa)
Who can apply (eligibility)
Minimum age (most common cases)
- Private driving license: minimum age 18.
- Public driving license (professional): minimum age 21 (plus job/occupation conditions).
- Motorcycle license: minimum age 16 (plus extra conditions).
You’ll also need
- A valid Saudi ID/Iqama (for residents).
- A medical check-up report (fitness to drive).
- Photos and basic documents (details below).
License types you’ll see in Saudi Arabia
Here’s the quick “which one do I need” map:
| License type | Typical user | Key notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private | Most residents (personal car) | Most common path through driving school |
| Public | Professional driving | Linked to occupation + extra checks |
| Public Work / Heavy | Heavy vehicles / work vehicles | Requires occupation + sponsor/official letters |
| Motorcycle | Motorbike riders | Extra documents; guardian letter in some cases |
| Temporary | Limited cases | Higher annual fee |
| Foreign license replacement | Expats with a valid foreign license | Often faster than full training (case-by-case) |
Official fees (2026): government + driving school course
These are the fees that are reliably published by MOI.
Government annual license fees (MOI)
| Type | Annual fee (SAR) |
|---|---|
| Private driving license | 40 |
| Public driving license | 40 |
| Public work license | 100 |
| Motorbike license | 20 |
| Temporary driving license | 100 |
Real-life note: total cost is usually (driving school course + medical + government fee). The “small extras” (file/admin, retest, etc.) can vary by school/branch, so confirm at your driving school before you pay anything non-refundable.
Driving school course fees (MOI)
| Course | Fee (SAR) |
|---|---|
| Private driving license course (regular applicants) | 435 |
| Public driving license course (company/employees + holds private license 2 years) | 435 |
| Public driving license course (others) | 560 |
| “Part-time applicants” (as listed by MOI) | 100 |
Documents checklist (2026)
For a new Private driving license (common path)
From the MOI requirement set, expect:
- Medical check-up report
- Six photos (4×6 cm)
- Copy of ID/Iqama (Saudis: Civil Affairs ID; Non-Saudis typically provide Iqama + passport copy in related flows)
- Payment of required fees
- A simple file/folder for documents (yes, they still ask)
If you’re converting a foreign license (replacement)
MOI lists the standard requirements as:
- Original foreign license + Arabic translation
- Photos (4×6 cm)
- Copy of Iqama + passport (for Non-Saudis)
- Sponsor identification letter (for Non-Saudis)
- Payment + certified translation
Step-by-step: New Saudi driving license (Private) in 2026
Step 1: Do the medical test (Efada-linked process)
You need a medical fitness report before you can complete the traffic/license flow. MOI explicitly requires a medical check-up report for issuance.
Many clinics route the result through the connected system used for traffic services
What usually happens at the clinic (practical reality):
- Registration under your Iqama/ID
- Vision check
- Blood group and basic screening
- The clinic updates the result so it shows in the government flow
Tip that prevents wasted trips: take your original ID/Iqama and go early morning. Busy centers can turn a 30-minute task into a half day.
Step 2: Book your traffic service / driving license issuance via Absher
In 2026, you’re not walking into traffic offices “to ask what to do.” You’re booking the relevant service. The “Issue Driving License” flow appears under Absher traffic appointments and starts with identity verification (Iqama/ID + DOB + captcha). (absher.sa)
Practical tip: If you don’t see appointment slots in your city, try:
- A different branch in the same region
- Checking early morning or late evening
- Refreshing on weekdays (slots often open in batches)
Step 3: Visit an authorized driving school (training + assessment)
Saudi driving schools typically run an initial assessment. If you’re already an experienced driver, many schools place you into a shorter program; beginners go into longer training. Expats guides commonly reference tiered programs (often described as 6 / 15 / 30 hours depending on evaluation), but the exact structure depends on the school and your result.
What you’ll do:
- Submit documents
- Get your file opened
- Take assessment
- Attend theoretical + practical sessions
Step 4: Theory test (computer-based)
Most applicants take a theory test that covers:
- Saudi traffic signs
- Right-of-way rules
- Safe driving behavior and penalties
How to pass without overthinking it:
- Learn the signs and priority rules first.
- Treat it like an exam, not “common sense.”
Step 5: Practical driving test
This is the real gate. You’ll be evaluated on:
- Vehicle control
- Lane discipline
- Observations (mirrors/indicators)
- Parking and turning behavior
If you fail, retakes are normal. Don’t take it personally just fix the one or two habits that caused the fail.
Step 6: Pay the official fees and issue your license
You’ll pay:
- Driving school course fee (varies by category)
- Government annual fee for the license type
Then the license is issued (often with options for validity periods via the system; the annual fee is the baseline and gets applied by the chosen duration).
Fast track: Converting a foreign license (when you already have one)
If you have a valid foreign license, you may be able to do Foreign Driving License Replacement rather than full training (the decision can depend on your license type, translation, and traffic department requirements). MOI lists the required documents clearly, including Arabic translation and sponsor letter for Non-Saudis.
Best practice (so you don’t get bounced):
- Get a certified Arabic translation before you go.
- Carry a sponsor/company letter if you’re an expat.
- If your case still requires tests, the traffic department/driving school will route you into the needed steps.
A simple cost planner (most people want this)
Here’s a realistic way to estimate:
| Item | Typical basis |
|---|---|
| Driving school course (private, regular) | 435 SAR |
| Government license fee (private) | 40 SAR per year |
| Medical test | Varies by clinic (confirm before you go) |
Example: If you choose a multi-year validity, your government fee scales from the annual base (40 SAR/year for private).
Why Saudi takes this seriously: a quick stats snapshot (context)
Saudi Arabia tracks licensing volume and road safety indicators closely.
Driver’s license services (recent trend)
From Saudi road transport statistics, the number of new driver’s licenses issued rose from 580k (2020) to 1,271k (2024), and renewals were 944k (2020) and 1,204k (2024).
| Year | New licenses (thousand) | Renewals (thousand) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 580 | 944 |
| 2021 | 826 | 1,038 |
| 2022 | 960 | 1,104 |
| 2023 | 1,191 | 974 |
| 2024 | 1,271 | 1,204 |
Road safety indicators (one year snapshot)
The same report lists serious traffic accidents (17,231) and deaths (4,282) with a mortality rate of 12.13 per 100,000 (2024).
Common mistakes that delay people (fix these upfront)
- Medical not updated in the system → you did the test, but it’s not visible yet. Wait for the clinic update or confirm with them.
- Wrong photos → size matters (4×6 cm) and the quantity can differ by service.
- No sponsor letter for expat conversion → required for foreign license replacement.
- Showing up without an appointment → many flows are appointment-driven now.
FAQ
Can women apply the same way?
Yes. The core process (medical → appointments → school/tests → issuance) is the same.
Do I need an Absher account?
In practice, yes because the booking and traffic service flow runs through Absher traffic services.
What if I already drive well?
Driving schools commonly assess you and may put you into a shorter program, depending on results.
What’s the official annual fee for a private license?
40 SAR per year.
