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Driving

Getting a Saudi driving licence

For first-time drivers or licences from countries that cannot be exchanged.

General information, not advice. This page summarises publicly available rules in plain language. It is not legal advice or a recommendation to take any action. Procedures, fees and fines change without notice and can differ by case. The official portal below is the only authoritative source.

You need: Valid iqama, age 18+, no unpaid traffic fines.

Key figures

Full course (beginner)
About SAR 2,500–3,000 (varies by school)
Short course (experienced)
About SAR 1,000–1,500
Licence fee
About SAR 40 per year of validity

Steps

  1. Do the medical and eye test at an approved centre. Results link to Absher automatically.
  2. Choose a licensed driving school in your city through Absher and open a file there.
  3. Take the assessment drive. The school decides how many training hours you need.
  4. Complete the training, then pass the computer theory test and the practical road test.
  5. Pay the licence fee through SADAD and collect the licence. Private licences can be issued for up to 10 years.

Important: Residents must hold a Saudi licence. Driving without one is fined SAR 1,000–2,000.

Last checked: 2026-10-24. Confirm current rules on the official source: absher.sa

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