To drive in Saudi Arabia, residents need a Saudi driving licence. The licence is managed by the General Department of Traffic of the Ministry of Interior, and most steps are done on Absher: booking driving school training for a first licence, renewing without visiting a traffic office, and checking a licence. This guide covers the fees, the conditions, first licences (including for holders of a foreign licence), renewal and the related vehicle services.
In short: a private licence costs SAR 40 per year of validity. You can renew it on Absher for 2, 5 or 10 years once less than 180 days remain, after a medical check and payment of your violations.
Types of licence
The Riyadh Traffic department of the Ministry of Interior lists these licences:
| Licence | Minimum age | Main condition | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private | 18 | Medical check, training and tests | SAR 40 per year |
| Public | 21 | Your occupation must require a public licence | SAR 40 per year |
| Motorcycle | 16 | Letter from a guardian, good conduct certificate | SAR 20 per year |
| Heavy vehicle | — | Your occupation must involve driving heavy vehicles | — |
| Temporary driving permission | 17 | Letter from a guardian or sponsor, medical check | SAR 100 |
Renewal costs the same as issuance per year of validity. Replacing a lost licence costs SAR 100 for the private, public and motorcycle licences.
Most residents need the private licence. A public licence is for jobs such as professional drivers, and the heavy vehicle licence for jobs involving trucks and other heavy vehicles: the condition is linked to your occupation.
Fees for a private licence
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Issuance | SAR 40 per year of validity |
| Renewal | SAR 40 per year of validity |
| Replacement of a lost or damaged licence | SAR 100 |
The fee is paid through SADAD before the request.
| Renewal period | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2 years | SAR 80 |
| 5 years | SAR 200 |
| 10 years | SAR 400 |
Driving school training and the medical check are paid separately, to the school and the medical centre.
Getting a first licence
Conditions
- Minimum age 18 for a private licence.
- A medical examination, including an eye test and blood type, at a government or private medical centre linked to the traffic system.
- Training and tests at an authorised driving school: theoretical and practical parts, unless you are exempt (see below).
- Payment of the fees and of any traffic violations.
Steps
- Through Absher, book or update your training appointments at an authorised driving school.
- Do the medical examination.
- Follow the training required for your level and pass the theory and practical tests.
- Pay the issuance fee through SADAD.
- The licence is issued after the tests are passed.
If you already hold a foreign licence
The Ministry of Interior indicates that applicants holding a valid foreign or international driving licence recognised by the traffic department are exempt from the test. Recognition depends on the country that issued the licence: ask an authorised driving school what applies to your case, and bring your original licence.
Tip: do not let your foreign licence expire before converting it. A valid licence is required for the exemption.
Renewing on Absher
Conditions
- The licence has less than 180 days of validity left.
- Renewal fees are paid.
- Traffic violations are settled: see traffic violations.
- A medical check has been done at an accredited medical centre.
Steps
- Pay your traffic violations, if any.
- Do the medical check at an accredited medical centre.
- Pay the renewal fee through SADAD for the period you want.
- On Absher, open the traffic services and Renew Driving License.
- Choose 2, 5 or 10 years and confirm.
Watch out: the renewal service opens only when less than 180 days of validity remain. Note the expiry date in your calendar six months ahead.
Which period to choose?
The fee is proportional to the years chosen: a longer period means fewer procedures, but a higher payment at once.
Driving as a young person
- From 16: a motorcycle licence, with a letter from a guardian.
- From 17: a temporary driving permission, with a letter from a guardian or sponsor and a medical check, for SAR 100.
- From 18: the private licence.
For a temporary permission or a motorcycle licence, Riyadh Traffic asks for the applicant’s identity document (Iqama and passport for non-Saudis), photos and the guardian’s or sponsor’s letter. Check the current list with the traffic department or the driving school, as more and more steps move to Absher.
Keeping your licence valid
- Note the expiry date: renewal opens when less than 180 days remain.
- Pay traffic violations as they come: they block the renewal. See traffic violations.
- Renew before the expiry date rather than after it.
Checking a licence
Absher has two query services:
- Public Query Driving License: check a licence’s information.
- Query Driving License Information: check its validity.
Related vehicle services on Absher
| Service | What it does |
|---|---|
| Renew Vehicle Registration | Renew the vehicle registration (istimara) electronically |
| Print Vehicle Registration | Print it, with delivery by post |
| Vehicle Ownership Transfer | Sell a private vehicle and transfer ownership electronically |
| Issue Authorization | Allow another person to drive your vehicle inside or outside the Kingdom |
| Add Vehicle User | Record the actual user of a vehicle |
| Public Query Vehicle Insurance Validity | Check that a vehicle is insured |
| Vehicle Plates Replacement | Replace damaged or lost plates |
Before a final exit visa, no vehicle may remain registered in your name: sell or transfer it with Vehicle Ownership Transfer.
Common mistakes
- Renewing too early: the service opens only when less than 180 days of validity remain.
- Forgetting the medical check: renewal cannot be completed without it.
- Unpaid violations: they block the renewal; pay them first.
- Letting your foreign licence expire before converting it.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a driving licence cost in Saudi Arabia?
For a private licence, the fee is SAR 40 for each year of validity, both for issuance and renewal. Replacing a lost licence costs SAR 100.
How do I renew my Saudi driving licence?
On Absher, without visiting a traffic office: pay the renewal fee, settle your traffic violations, complete the medical check at an accredited centre, then renew for 2, 5 or 10 years.
When can I renew my driving licence?
When the remaining validity of the licence is less than 180 days.
How do I get a first driving licence as a resident?
Through Absher, citizens and residents book or update their training appointments at an authorised driving school, then the licence is issued after passing the tests.
Can I drive in Saudi Arabia with my foreign licence?
To obtain a Saudi licence, the Ministry of Interior indicates that holders of a valid foreign or international licence recognised by the traffic department are exempt from the driving test. Check with an authorised driving school what applies to your licence.
What is the minimum age for a Saudi driving licence?
The national platform gives a minimum age of 18 for a private driving licence.
What types of driving licence exist in Saudi Arabia?
The traffic department lists a private licence (from 18), a public licence (from 21, for jobs that require it), a motorcycle licence (from 16), a heavy vehicle licence (for jobs that involve heavy vehicles) and a temporary driving permission (from 17).
How much is a motorcycle licence in Saudi Arabia?
Riyadh Traffic lists SAR 20 per year for issuance and for renewal, and SAR 100 to replace a lost licence.
Official sources
- GOV.SA — Driving License Renewal: conditions (less than 180 days left, fees, violations, medical check), 2, 5 or 10 years, service cost.
- GOV.SA — Driving license issuance: booking training at driving schools through Absher, minimum age.
- Ministry of Interior — Driving License (Saudis and non-Saudis): medical examination, tests, exemption for recognised foreign licences.
- Absher — Traffic services: issuance, renewal, licence queries, authorisation, vehicle registration, ownership transfer, plates.
- Ministry of Interior — Temporary Driving Permission (Riyadh Traffic): age 17, guardian or sponsor letter, medical check.
- Ministry of Interior — Riyadh Traffic, licence types and fees: licence types (private, public, motorcycle, heavy vehicle, temporary), minimum ages and fees.
This information is for guidance only and may change. Always check with the relevant authority or its official website before starting a procedure. Spotted an error? Tell us.
