Full guide for expats — which countries are eligible, what documents you need, cost, and step-by-step process.
🔍 Check Your Country's Eligibility
💰 Estimated Cost
Item
Cost (SAR)
Arabic translation of license
~SAR 100
Medical examination (eye + general)
SAR 100–200
License issuance fee
SAR 100–300
Driving school (test required countries)
SAR 800–2,000
Theory + practical test fee (if applicable)
SAR 200–400
Total (no-test countries)
SAR 300–600
Total (test required countries)
SAR 1,200–2,600
📋 Step-by-Step Process
1
Confirm Eligibility
Check if your home country is on the approved list above. GCC countries, US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore — no driving test required.
2
Get Arabic Translation
Have your foreign license officially translated to Arabic by a certified legal translator. Cost ~SAR 100, takes 1–2 days. Required even if you speak Arabic.
3
Medical Examination
Visit any approved medical center. You'll get an eye test, blood group check, and general health check. Costs SAR 100–200 and takes under 1 hour. Ask Absher for approved centers near you.
4
Book Appointment via Absher
Log in to absher.sa → Individuals → Traffic Services → Driving License Conversion → Book appointment at your nearest traffic department.
5
Attend Appointment with Documents
Bring: valid original Iqama, original foreign license, Arabic translation, medical certificate, passport copy (bio page), 2 recent passport-sized photos.
6
Receive Saudi Driving License
Your Saudi license is issued on the same day or within 1–3 business days. It's valid for 10 years and allows you to drive all over the GCC.
⏰ You must convert your license within 3 months of receiving your Iqama. You can drive on your foreign license for the first year but conversion is recommended early.
📄 Documents Checklist
Document
Required?
Valid Iqama (original)
Required
Original foreign driving license
Required
Arabic translation of license
Required
Medical certificate (eye + health check)
Required
Passport copy (bio data page)
Required
2 passport-sized photos
Required
Absher appointment confirmation
Recommended
Driving school certificate
If test required
⚠️ What Happens If You Don't Convert
Driving on a foreign license beyond the 1-year grace period is treated as driving without a valid license under Saudi traffic law. Consequences include a traffic fine (SAR 500–3,000 depending on the violation), your vehicle being impounded, and — critically — your car insurance may deny any accident claim, leaving you personally liable for damages or injury costs. If you're stopped without a valid license and you're the vehicle's registered driver on your Iqama sponsor's account, it can also complicate your Iqama renewal until the matter is resolved.
🔄 Renewing Your Saudi Driving License
Once converted, your Saudi driving license is valid for 10 years and does not need to be renewed alongside your Iqama — they run on independent cycles. When it does expire, renewal is done entirely online via Absher (Individuals → Traffic Services → Driving License Renewal) without a new medical exam or translation, provided your Iqama is still valid at the time of renewal. The renewal fee is typically SAR 100–200 for another 10-year term.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive in Saudi Arabia on my foreign license?
Yes, for up to 1 year from arrival. However, if you're a resident (have Iqama), you should convert within 3 months. After 1 year, driving on a foreign license is technically illegal and your insurance may not cover accidents.
My country requires a test — what does the driving test involve?
The test has two parts: (1) Theory test on Saudi traffic rules and signs — multiple choice questions, usually in Arabic/English. (2) Practical driving test in a traffic department yard — you'll be assessed on basic maneuvers and road rules. Most driving schools prepare you for both.
Can I use a Saudi driving license in other GCC countries?
Yes. Saudi driving licenses are recognized across all GCC countries (UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman) without any additional paperwork.
What if my Iqama is renewed — do I need to renew my driving license?
No. Saudi driving licenses are valid for 10 years regardless of Iqama renewal cycles. You only renew the license when it expires.
Is an international driving permit (IDP) accepted in Saudi Arabia?
An IDP is accepted for tourists and short-term visitors. Residents with an Iqama must convert to a Saudi license — an IDP is not a permanent substitute.
Sources: General Directorate of Traffic (Muroor) licensing requirements, Absher driving-service guidance. Figures and rules are set by the issuing authority and may change — verify current details on the official portal before relying on them. Last reviewed: June 2026.
⚠️ Disclaimer: All results are estimates based on publicly available Saudi government regulations and rates. Always verify important financial or legal decisions with your employer, bank, or the relevant Saudi authority (Ministry of Human Resources, GOSI, ZATCA, Jawazat, or SAMA).
Which Licenses Can Be Converted Directly?
Saudi Arabia's General Department of Traffic (Muroor) allows direct conversion of driving licenses from a list of approved countries — including GCC states, the US, UK, most of the EU, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and several others — without a driving test. Holders of licenses from non-listed countries must enrol in a driving school and pass the theory and practical tests. The eligible-country list is updated by Muroor, so confirm your country's status at a driving school before paying any fees.
Step-by-Step Conversion Process
Medical check — complete the eye and blood test at an approved clinic; results upload electronically to Absher.
Translation — have your foreign license officially translated into Arabic by a licensed translation office.
Book an appointment — schedule "Replacement of a foreign license" through Absher (Appointments → Traffic).
Pay the fee — license fees depend on the validity period you choose (from two to ten years).
Attend Muroor — bring your original license, translation, iqama, passport copy and photos; the Saudi license is usually printed the same day, and some centres retain the foreign license.
If Your Country Is Not on the List
Enrol in an accredited driving school (such as the Saudi Driving School branches in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam). Experienced drivers can often take an assessment lesson to skip part of the mandatory training hours, then sit the computerised theory test and the practical road test. Total cost including training, tests and license issuance varies by city and training hours required.
Visitors and Rental Cars
Tourists and visit-visa holders may drive with a valid home-country license (plus an International Driving Permit recommended) for up to three months or the visa duration, whichever is shorter. Once you hold an iqama, you must convert to a Saudi license — driving on a foreign license as a resident risks fines and insurance refusal after an accident.