Kuwait to withdraw driving licenses from expat drivers with low salaries & no degree

Team Udayavani, Apr 3, 2023, 8:46 AM IST

Representative image (Source: iStock)

Expatriate drivers in Kuwait are set to lose their driving licenses if their salary is less than 600 Dinars and they do not hold a university degree, according to sources cited by Al-Jarida daily.

The Ministry of the Interior has reportedly formed a committee to withdraw licenses from those who do not meet these criteria, in a move that has caused confusion and concern among those affected.

The First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior, and Acting Minister of Defense, Sheikh Talal Al-Khalid, has reportedly formed a committee to study the status of expatriate driving licenses and review data. The ministry will reportedly place a “block” on the license of expatriates who do not hold a university degree and whose salary is less than 600 dinars, and withdraw their license.

According to the daily, the decision will reportedly be implemented retroactively, affecting around 300,000 licenses.

The decision has reportedly caused confusion and chaos for those affected and their employers. They argue that dealing with traffic jams requires a more comprehensive approach, including improving roads, constructing bridges and tunnels, and regulating public transport and taxi services.

The Ministry claims that the move is aimed at dealing with traffic jams, but private sources argue that the real solution is to improve infrastructure rather than implementing discriminatory measures.