Driving Permit for Kuwait
Driving in Kuwait as a visitor? Kuwait accepts the 1968-convention IDP alongside your home licence. Learn rental-car rules, the zero-alcohol limit and which side of the road Kuwait drives on.
- Drive on
- Right
- Convention
- 1968 Vienna
- IDP validity
- Duration of visit visa (typically up to 90 days)
- Processing time
- 24-48 hours
Do you need an IDP to drive in Kuwait?
Kuwait recognises the International Driving Permit under the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, which it joined on 14 March 1980. If you are visiting on a visit visa, you can drive with your original home-country licence — but official advice differs on whether an IDP is compulsory: the Canadian government tells travellers they "must carry an International Driving Permit", while the UK government says visitors can drive on a UK photocard licence (older paper licences may need an IDP). The safe answer for most nationalities is simple: carry a 1968-format IDP alongside your original licence.
Traffic drives on the right, and rental cars are left-hand-drive automatics almost without exception. At the rental desk — most visitors collect cars at Kuwait International Airport — expect to show your passport, visit visa and home licence, with an IDP commonly requested, particularly if your licence is not printed in Arabic or English. Third-party insurance is mandatory before you drive, and rental rates normally include it. This applies to short-term visitors only: once you take up residency in Kuwait, you must obtain a Kuwaiti driving licence.
Kuwait's road rules are strict even though driving standards can feel chaotic. The country is completely dry, and drink-driving is zero-tolerance — any alcohol in your system can mean fines, imprisonment, withdrawal of your licence or deportation. Using a mobile phone at the wheel is also treated harshly, with jail terms possible. Speeding, sudden lane changes and tailgating are common, so drive defensively, especially on the ring roads around Kuwait City. There are no toll roads or vignettes, and fuel is among the cheapest in the world.
Kuwait recognises the IDP under the 1968 Vienna Convention.
Kuwait is a signatory to the 1968 Vienna Convention. In practice, an IDP issued by another signatory country is recognised for your permitted visitor stay — in Kuwait, plan on duration of visit visa (typically up to 90 days).
What you need to drive in Kuwait
Have these ready before you pick up the keys.
Valid original driving licence from your home country
International Driving Permit (1968 convention) — required per Canadian government advice and strongly recommended for all visitors, especially if your licence is not in Arabic or English
Minimum driving age in Kuwait is 18; rental companies usually set higher age minimums
Third-party motor insurance is mandatory before you drive (rental rates normally include it)
Kuwait acceded to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic on 14 March 1980, so it recognises 1968-format IDPs presented with your original licence
Alcohol is illegal throughout Kuwait and drink-driving is zero-tolerance — any reading can bring fines, imprisonment, licence withdrawal or deportation
Using a mobile phone while driving is a serious offence that can carry heavy fines and even jail time
Third-party motor insurance is compulsory before driving in Kuwait
There are no toll roads or vignettes in Kuwait, and fuel prices are among the lowest in the world
Traffic drives on the right, and nearly all rental cars are left-hand-drive automatics
What to know before you turn the key
Kuwait drives on the right — the driver sits on the left, and roundabouts flow anti-clockwise.
Carry your IDP and your original license together — rental desks and police checks will ask for both documents.
Rental desks typically ask for your passport, visit visa, home licence and an IDP — carrying one avoids refusals, particularly for non-Latin-script licences
Kuwait is completely dry: alcohol is illegal and drink-driving is zero-tolerance, with fines, imprisonment, licence withdrawal or deportation possible
Speeding, sudden lane changes and phone use by other drivers are common — drive defensively and expect widespread camera enforcement
Kuwait enforces traffic law harshly. Drink-driving is zero-tolerance: any alcohol in your system can mean fines, imprisonment, withdrawal of your driving licence or deportation. UK and Canadian government advice warns that mobile-phone use at the wheel and serious speeding can also bring heavy fines or jail sentences.
Local rules to watch in Kuwait
Low-emission zones, tolls, and city-specific rules that catch visiting drivers out.
Kuwait City: heavy congestion on the ring roads at rush hour, with extensive speed and red-light camera enforcement
Kuwait International Airport: the main rental-car hub — desks will want your passport, visit visa, home licence and IDP
Salmiya and Hawally: dense commercial districts where parking is scarce; many visitors prefer taxis for short hops
Signs you'll meet on the road
Eight internationally recognised signs — including which side of the road Kuwait keeps.
Common questions about driving in Kuwait
Drive Kuwait, confidently.
Apply online in minutes and get instant digital access to your IDP translation — with an IDP PVC card option if you want one in your wallet.