Types of Driving Licenses in Saudi Arabia: Application Procedures and Requirements

Driving in Saudi Arabia requires a valid driving license issued by the Saudi authorities. The land of enormous deserts and modern metropolitan cities is impossible to navigate without understanding the types of licenses and procedures for procuring the same for both residents and a newcomer.

Types of Driving Licenses in Saudi Arabia

There are different categories of driving license prevailing in Saudi Arabia, issued for various types of vehicles and drivers. These include:

  1. Private Vehicle License, D

  2. Commercial Vehicle License, G

  3. Motorcycle License, A

  4. Heavy Equipment License, F

Private Vehicle License, D:

This is the most common type of license; it is issued for driving cars and small vehicles for personal use.

 

Commercial Vehicle License, G:

The license category is engaged with driving commercial vehicles such as taxis, trucks, and buses.

 

Motorcycle License, A:

It is issued to ride motorcycles or motorbikes.

 

Heavy Equipment License, F:

This license is issued for operating heavy machinery and construction equipment.

Procedure for Obtaining a Saudi Driving License

Acquiring a driving license in the country of Saudi Arabia requires several steps, and the following steps are to be followed with great care:

  1. Eligibility Criteria:

  2. Enrolling in a Driving School:

  3.  Theory Test:

  4.  Practical Driving Test:

  5.  Issuance of License:

Eligibility Criteria:

Residency: The applicant ought to reside in the country of Saudi Arabia.

Age: For a private vehicle license carrier, the minimum age limit is 18 years, and for a commercial vehicle license, it is 20 years.

 

Enrolling in a Driving School:

Registration: Get registered in an authorized driving school. These schools will provide one with the necessary theoretical and practical lessons, which would help one pass while taking the driving test.

Training: Attend a recommended or advised number of hours of training sessions, wherein classroom lessons and practical driving sessions makeup for an overall theoretical and practical knowledge.

 

Theory Test:

Fixing: Fix and attend a theory test in any of the testing centers arranged within a particular country. Normally, it shall comprise tests based on traffic laws, road signs, and general knowledge of driving.

Passing: The theory test should be passed first before attempting the practical driving test.

 

Practical Driving Test:

Preparation: Book a practical driving test after having passed the theory test.

Evaluation: Drive and prove that you can drive safely while conforming to all traffic rules in the practical test. You get tested by an examiner.

 

Issuance of License:

Passing: After having successfully passed the theory and practical tests, you can get the driving license.

Processing Time: The license shall be returned within a few days after fulfilling the entire requirement.

Recent Developments and Changes

Within the last couple of years, Saudi Arabia took several steps to digitalise the procedure for obtaining a driving license. These are as follows:

Women’s Right to Drive: The State of Saudi Arabia, in 2018 removed the ban on women driving and hence made them eligible to apply and obtain driving license at par with the male counterpart.

Saudi Arabia Driving License Online Services

More maintenance has been provided in online portals and services for applicants to be capable enough to track the status of their application, schedule tests, and develop educational materials.

 

Improved Training Programs: Today, driving schools offer significantly more detailed and well-rounded training programs. Some of these programs include training in simulated driving encounters and advanced courses in defensive driving.

Conclusion

 

The process of obtaining a driving license in Saudi Arabia involves knowledge of the types of licenses, eligibility criteria, enrollment into a driving school, theory and practical tests, and the latest regulations and reforms in place. Getting a Saudi driving license is one major step toward mobility and compliance with local regulations, whether one is a resident or new in the Kingdom. Provided you follow the outlined procedures and are updated on the recent developments, you can be assured of a smooth and successful experience on Saudi Arabia’s roads.