Just landed in Saudi Arabia and ready to take the wheel? Before you hit the roads of Riyadh or cruise through Jeddah, you’ll need to check if your foreign driving license qualifies for a direct conversion—or if you’ll need to start from scratch. Whether you’re a new resident or long-term expat, this guide walks you through the step-by-step process of converting your license or obtaining a new Saudi driving license, depending on your country of origin. Here’s everything you need to know—no guesswork, no runaround.

Who can drive in Saudi Arabia?

Foreigners are allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia under certain conditions. If you hold a valid international or foreign driving license, you may legally drive for up to one year from your date of arrival in the Kingdom, or until the license expires, whichever comes first.Key Driving Rules for Non-Saudi Residents:

If you’re planning to stay longer than a year—or you’re applying for certain services—you’ll need to convert your license or obtain a new one, depending on where it’s issued from.

Countries eligible for direct license conversion

If you hold a valid driving license from one of the 48 approved countries, including GCC countries, you’re eligible to convert it directly into a Saudi driving license, no driving test required. However, an application, translation, documentation, and medical check are mandatory.List of approved countries for license conversion:

If your license is from one of these countries, here’s how you can convert it.

Step-by-step – How to convert your foreign license

Your first task is to get your driving license officially translated into Arabic. Without this step, the conversion process will not proceed.

Use the official Absher portal (absher.sa) to book an appointment with the General Department of Traffic (Muroor).

Use your bank’s online app to access Sadad under Government Payments and select “Driving License Issuance.”

Visit an Efada-approved medical center for your health check, bringing:

Tests include:

On your appointment day, head to the designated Muroor office or traffic school with:

If everything is in order and your license is from an approved country, you’ll receive your Saudi license the same day—no tests required.

What if your country isn’t on the approved list?

If your home country is not listed, you will need to apply as a new driver in Saudi Arabia. That means:

This process is longer and involves multiple steps, including lessons and test scheduling, but is required for full legal driving eligibility in Saudi Arabia.

Summary: Eligibility, cost, and time breakdown