Kuwait is a small Gulf country so getting around is relatively quick and easy. Public transport in Kuwait is not well developed and consists of buses and taxis. The majorities of residents buy or rent a car for getting around, or make use of taxis for short trips within Kuwait City.
Kuwait has a well-developed road network, petrol is cheap, and as most road signs are in Arabic and English, expats will find that driving in Kuwait is relatively easy. However, traffic congestion can be extreme during peak times and Kuwaiti roads have a very poor safety record. Expats driving in Kuwait should, therefore, be cautious; defensive driving is recommended at all times.
The majority of Western expats have their own vehicle for getting around Kuwait. Both used and new cars are widely available, and expats will more than likely find themselves driving a car far more luxurious than what they had back home.
Cars drive on the right-hand side of the road Kuwait. Law enforcement on Kuwait’s roads is strict, with the speed limit on major highways is 75 miles/hour (120km/h) and on urban roads, usually 28 miles/hour (45km/h). However, this does not stop many local drivers from racing at high speeds, leading to many accidents.
It’s possible to drive in Kuwait with an international driver’s license, but once foreigners receive their Civil ID card, they are required to get a Kuwaiti driver’s license. The process for getting a Kuwaiti driver’s license may vary according to an expat’s nationality and their home country driver’s license. While most Westerners will be able to easily obtain a local license, some expats may be required to take a learner’s test and then a driving test in order to get a Kuwaiti license.
Expats should note that when their residence permit lapses or is canceled, their Kuwaiti driver’s license also becomes invalid. The license only becomes valid again once the residence permit is renewed.
Kuwaiti authorities have recently been clamping down on foreign drivers in the country; hundreds of expats have been deported for driving without a license or committing other traffic offenses in recent months, and new restrictions for foreigners wishing to drive are likely to be implemented in the near future.
