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OBTAINING
A DRIVING LICENSE
Some residents, such as Westerners, may obtain a Kuwaiti driving license
on the strength of their national driving license only. Other
nationalities, even if they have a driving license from their home
country, are obliged to apply for a learner's license and pass a driving
test.
To get a Kuwaiti driving license, applicant must go to the License
Section in the main Traffic Department in Shuwaikh or any other area and
obtain approval for a learner's license (istimara). To obtain approval,
an expatriate must (a) be legally resident in Kuwait, (b) have been
resident for at least two years, and (c) be earning a salary of not less
than KD 400 a month.
Once approval has been granted, the applicant must go to the License
Section in the Traffic Department in the governorate in which he or she
lives. Documents required include passport, original and copies of civil
ID, four passport-sized photographs, as well as (if relevant) company
employment letter and copy of work permit from Ministry of Social
Affairs & Labour or letter of employment from a ministry. A KD10 stamp
must be affixed to the application form. Then the learner must go to the
Traffic Department in Qurtoba for eye and blood tests. The results of
the texts, which can be picked up after two days, must be submitted to
the License Section for registration. Then the learner must go to the
driving test centre at the governorates Traffic Department to fix a date
for a driving test, for which a KD10 booking fee is levied. KD10 must
also be paid on the day of the test. Learners are only allowed three
shots at the driving test, which includes a written examination.
Renewing a Driving License
Kuwaiti driving licenses are issued for periods of up to ten years
depending on the driver's age. Once the license runs out it can be
renewed in less than a day at the Traffic Department that originally
issued it. Documents required include original and copies of passport
and civil ID, old driving license and three passport-sized photographs.
An application form must be typed and submitted.
Whether an eye test is required by a driver who does not wear glasses
depends on the driver's age. Drivers up to the age of 40 are exempt from
the test and are given a ten year renewal of their driving licenses for
KD10. A driver between the ages of 40 and 50 is also exempt but his
license is only renewed up to his 50th birthday. Drivers who are 50
years or older must undergo an eye test at the MPH clinic in Qortuba.
Provided they pass the test, drivers aged 50 to 55 are given a 5-year
renewal of their license, those aged 56 a 4-year renewal, those aged 57
a 3-year renewal, those aged 58 a 2-year renewal and those aged 59, a
one-year renewal. Drivers who are 60 or older get a 3-year renewal (for
KD3) after passing the eye test and may renew their licenses every three
years thereafter provided they pass the eye test each time.
Buying A Car
The range of vehicles available in Kuwait is impressive. Many (but not
all) are made to 'Gulf specifications', i.e. their radiators,
transmissions, and other hard-working parts have been strengthened to
deal with the rigors of the local climate. The most popular vehicles are
those best able to withstand the climate and which are easy to maintain
with spares readily available. Warranties on new cars are usually for
one year.
New cars can be purchased on installments. The dealer sells the car to a
finance company, such as Kuwait Finance House or The Financial
Facilities Company, and the buyer pays monthly installments, over 24,
36, or 48 months, to the finance company. A deposit of 10-15% is usually
required. Comprehensive insurance for the first year and third party
insurance for the remaining years of the plan may be included in the
total price.
Buyers on installment will need a letter from their employer showing
their salary details, a copy of their civil ID, and proof of address
(such as tenancy agreement or recent electricity bill). Foreign
residents may need a Kuwaiti guarantor, who will be required to submit
details of his financial position and any other loans for which he is a
guarantor.
Second-hand cars are widely available. Dealers and car hire companies
may sell these with a three-month warranty and credit arrangements are
possible. Indeed there are plenty of second-hand car dealers in most
areas. And in Ardiya industrial area (off the 5th ring road there is
used car auctions called Suq Al-Harraj. At the Suq Al-Harraj it is not
possible to test drive or otherwise adequately check the cars on offer.
Auctioneers, who get a fixed commission from the seller, set a base
price and invite bids. The contract, in Arabic, is signed on the spot
and a deposit put down, the balance being paid on transfer of ownership.
As most used cars are sold for cash, an element of risk is involved, and
the best advice is to buy a known car from a friend.
Caution: Avoid buying second-hand cars of 1985 and earlier models as
they may not be allowed on the road by the traffic department, if they
are not in good condition.
Importing cars
To bring a car into Kuwait permanently an import license, which can only
be obtained by a member of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce, is needed.
There is a ban on the import of second hand cars more than 5 years old.
However special permits for bringing in veteran and classic cars can
sometimes be obtained. Foreigners may bring a car into Kuwait on a
temporary basis for three months provided they have a critique.
Insurance & Registration
A new car is first registered for three years. Thereafter registration
must be renewed annually. Third party vehicle insurance is compulsory
and costs KD19 a year. Comprehensive insurance is also available.
To re-register a car after the third year, the insurance must first be
renewed and then the car taken for testing. The receipt issued by the
insurance company and 'log Book' (daftar) must be taken with the car to
a testing station at a Traffic Department (murour) in the governorate in
which the car owner lives. Murour are located in Shuwaikh, Jabriya,
Farwaniyah, Ahmadi and Jahra. The test is not onerous and, if the car is
deemed roadworthy, the insurance receipt is stamped. Then, inside the
murour, KD5 must be paid for a revenue stamp which the cashier sticks on
the insurance receipt. Then a check must be made to see whether there
are any outstanding fines on the car (such as for speeding and the
like). If no fines are due, the insurance receipt is stamped. If any
fines are due, a paper will be issued which must be used to pay the
fines to the cashier. The cashier will stamp the paper which is then
taken back to have the insurance receipt stamped. The stamped insurance
receipt and old daftar can then be exchanged for a new daftar.
Car Care
In Kuwait's harsh climate cars deteriorate much faster than they do in
more temperate climes. Dust gets in everywhere, rubber parts perish
quicker, and the heat thins down oil causing more rapid engine wear. So
routine maintenance tasks, such as oil and filter changes, need to be
carried out at shorter intervals.
Driving in Kuwait
Kuwait's roads are very good, and as sign posts are in both Arabic and
English getting from one area to another is easy.
Petrol & Parking
Kuwait has over 90 petrol stations, many of them self-service. All are
operated by Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC). Petrol stations
are easy enough to find in the Metropolitan Area and some are open
24-hours a day. But they are few and far between in the more remote
desert regions. However, at only 60fils a litre for unleaded premium
petrol and 65fils for super premium and only 55 fils a litre for diesel,
fuel is the cheapest in the world. Leaded petrol (70fils a litre) is
only available at certain stations.
The Supreme Petroleum Council is planning to add about 100 new stations
in the near future. Privatization of new Petrol Stations is also under
consideration.
Parking is free on the patches of desert found even in built-up areas.
Parking lots usually cost a modest 100 fils for the first two hours and
25 fils an hour thereafter.
Long term and short term parking facility is available at the Kuwait
International Airport. Short term parking costs 200 fils per for the
first hour and 400 fils per hour subsequently. Long term parking costs
KD 2 per day.
DRIVING LAWS
Driving is on the right. The overall speed limit is 120 kph, but on some
motorways the limit is 100kph. Some motorways have minimum speeds of 50
or 80kph. Speed limits are 45kph in urban areas and 60kph on urban dual
carriageways and all bridges, flyovers and loop roads. Speed signs are
in English as well as Arabic. There are radar cameras, which record
vehicle and speed, on motorways and some main roads and at traffic
lights.
Wearing seat-belts is compulsory for all passengers and children under
10 years may not sit up front. Ladies drivers may not wear veils that
cover their faces. When entering a roundabout a car must stop fully,
rather than just giving way. Parking against black and yellow blocks
painted on curbstones and on pavements is illegal. A driver must show
his driving license and daftar when asked by the police. If he cannot do
so, he is taken to the police station, fined and held until someone
brings them on his behalf.
A driver who is jailed by the traffic court for a major offence may find
that he is barred from renewing his residence and is thus effectively
deported.
Check the New Traffic
Law in Kuwait effective from July 2006
Driving Offences & Penalties
The new traffic law was passed by the National Assembly in June 2001
introducing stiffer penalties for major life-threatening offences such
as running a red light, speeding or driving under the influence of
alcohol or narcotics and repetitive offences.
Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs is
punishable by up to a year in prison and/or a KD 500 fine. The court can
also confiscate the driving license in case of repetitive offences.
Reckless driving, driving without a valid driving license or driving a
vehicle not permitted to drive as per the driving license, is punishable
by KD 100 fine and/or one month in jail. Out of court settlement is
possible after the payment of KD 30 fine.
Breaking a red light is punishable by up to three months in jail and/or
KD 300 fine.
Speeding, unauthorized racking, wrong side driving are punishable by up
to KD 100 fine. For out of court settlement the violator will have to
pay KD 50 fine.
Failure to fasten the seat belt, failure to produce a driver's license
or the vehicle registration book upon request by traffic police or
security men is punishable by up to KD. 15 fine. An out-of-court
settlement is possible after payment of KD 10.
There are two types of monetary penalties, settlement and court fines.
Settlement refers to fines that may be paid without going to court.
However out-of-court settlements must be made within 30 days of
committing the offence or from the date of being informed. If this time
limit is exceeded then the offender must pay the minimum court fine in
settlement, unless he decides to go to court.
Out-of-court settlement is not acceptable in certain circumstances and
the matter must go to court where the penalties are more onerous. If
jumping a red light or exceeding the speed limit results in death or
serious injury, settlement is not allowed and the driver is liable to a
court fine of at least KD1,000 and a jail term of one to two years. If
these offences are carried out under the influence of alcohol or drugs,
the jail-term is two to three years.
The law also introduces the ?points system? which is a record of the
number and nature of traffic offences for drivers within a period of one
year. The points will determine the penalty of suspending the driving
license for up to one year or revoke the driver's license completely and
require drivers to pass driving test again.
The new points system for traffic offences effective from October 1,
2001 is as follows:
While still upholding the enforced penalties of the new traffic law, 4
points are recorded in the drivers record for breaking the red light,
exceeding the speed limit, driving the vehicle in the opposite direction
of the traffic flow or reckless driving.
Three points are recorded for driving a vehicle other than the type
allowed in the driver's license, driving a vehicle with expired or
suspended registration, using a vehicle for racing without a permit,
using a vehicle to commit immoral acts, driving a vehicle without or
with tempered license plate, or using false information to obtain
drivers license or car registration documents.
Two points are recorded for using a private vehicle to ferry passengers
for money, deliberately obstructing traffic, driving a vehicle with
malfunctioning brakes or handing over the vehicle to someone without a
valid driving license.
One point is recorded for driving a vehicle with unclear or unreadable
license plates, driving a vehicle with a missing plate, or making any
changes to the shape and color of the plates, driving with an expired
car registration, failure to produce the driving license or the
registration , operating a vehicle producing excessive noise or smoke or
with insecure cargo, or faulty tyres.
A driver who accumulates 14 points faces having his license suspended
for three months for the first time. For the next 12 points, the driving
license is suspended for six months and for nine months to a year for
the next 10 and 8 points respectively.
For the next six points, the fifth time, the driving license is revoked
and the driver must apply for a new driving license and take the driving
tests again.
The points are cancelled only after the execution of the stipulated
penalties or maintaining a clean driving record for a year after
recording of the most recent points.
A court conviction or an out-of-court settlement for traffic offences
does not cancel the recorded points.
New drivers who commit two serious offences such as breaking the lights,
exceeding the speed limit or driving against the traffic flow, during
their first year on the road have their licenses withdrawn, and have to
wait four months and retake the driving test before applying for a new
license.
The police have the power to detain drivers for the following reasons:
-
Driving without a
valid driving license
-
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
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Causing an accident which may result in death or serious injury
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Racing on the public roads.
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Attempting to flee after being involved in an accident in which people
may have been injured or after being ordered to stop
-
Failing to stop at a red traffic light
-
Driving recklessly so as to endanger others
Driving Accidents
The emergency services and police usually respond quickly to traffic
accidents. In nearly all cases all the parties involved are required to
go with the police to the nearest station to sort matters out. If the
police decide to prosecute and the accident is not serious, those
involved are required to post a bond pending their appearance in court.
If an accident is serious, the parties may be held in custody until they
appear in court.
In the traffic court the judge, will have a copy of the police
report, the drivers' and witnesses' statements, photographs and maps.
Proceedings consist mainly of the judge's questions. In minor cases
involving only expatriates, the questioning may be conducted in English.
In serious cases, proceedings are in Arabic and a non-Arabic speaker
should ensure that someone whose bilin guality he trusts is present to
interpret. After statements have been heard, the matter, if the case is
minor, may be decided there and then. In more serious cases, the court
will adjourn to consider the facts and there will be a further hearing
later.
DRIVING OUT OF
KUWAIT
To drive a car from Kuwait through other countries the following are
required:
-
International Driving License
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Orange Card Insurance (for Arab countries)
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Triptyque
-
Green Card Insurance (for Europe)
To enter European countries, a vehicle ownership international book is
also needed.
International driving licenses are issued by the KT club for KD8/-, on
presentation of a valid Kuwaiti driving license, civil ID, car
registration (daftar) and one passport-sized photograph. The club also
issues the vehicle ownership international book. Orange and green card
insurance may be obtained from car insurance companies or the KT Club.
The critique (international car certificate or 'carnet de passage') is a
25-page booklet containing tear-off transit coupons, with one entry and
one exit coupon plus counterfoil per page. The booklet shows the details
of the vehicle, and guarantees that if it is left in the foreign country
through which it is passing then any customs duties will be paid by the
automobile club which issued it. A critique is valid for one year,
during which 25 entries into and exits from other countries can be made
without paying import duties. When entering a country the entry coupon
is removed by customs, and the entry stamped on the counterfoil. When
leaving the exit coupon is removed and the exit will be stamped on the
counterfoil. Critiques can be obtained from the KT Club, other driving
clubs and from some travel agents. A Kuwaiti guarantor plus a fee of
KD30 is required.
Exporting a Vehicle
There are two ways to export a vehicle from Kuwait. The first is the
easiest for those who are driving back to their home country. The second
way is for those who are sending their car home by sea-freight.
In the first way the expatriate obtains a critique and orange and green
cards, and drives home on Kuwaiti number plates. Once the car has been
registered in his home country he returns the number plates to the
traffic department in Kuwait, and the critique to the issuer in Kuwait
to have his deposit refunded or his Kuwaiti guarantor released.
In the second, more official way, the number plates are taken to the
traffic department and exchanged for an export number and various
documents. These are then taken to the customs department in Shuwaikh in
order to obtain an export permit which allows the vehicle to be shipped
out of Kuwait. |
