🔍 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
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.
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.
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.
Book Appointment via Absher
Log in to absher.sa → Individuals → Traffic Services → Driving License Conversion → Book appointment at your nearest traffic department.
Attend Appointment with Documents
Bring: valid original Iqama, original foreign license, Arabic translation, medical certificate, passport copy (bio page), 2 recent passport-sized photos.
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.
📄 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.