Convert a Foreign Driving Licence in Saudi Arabia

If you are living in Saudi Arabia and already hold a valid driving licence from your home country, you may not need to start from scratch. For nationals of many countries, the Kingdom allows a direct conversion of a foreign licence into a Saudi one — a far quicker route than enrolling in a driving school and sitting the full tests. In this Saudi Living guide, we walk you through who qualifies, the documents you need, the medical test, and how to complete everything through Absher.

Who Can Convert Directly?

Direct conversion is reserved for holders of valid licences from a specified list of roughly 48 eligible countries. If your issuing country appears on this list, you can convert without repeating driving school or examinations. If it is not, you will need to follow the full route: driving school, theory, and practical tests.

To be eligible for direct conversion you generally need:

• A valid iqama (residence permit).
• A valid, original foreign licence that has not expired.
• Your nationality and issuing country showing as eligible in the Absher dropdown.

The simplest way to confirm eligibility is to log into Absher and check whether the conversion service accepts your country when you begin the application.

Documents You Will Need

Prepare these before booking your appointment, as most are uploaded in Absher and shown as originals at the Traffic Department (Muroor):

• Original foreign driving licence (front and back).
• A certified Arabic or English translation of the licence — it must be officially stamped. This typically costs around SAR 100 and takes 1–2 business days.
• Copy of your iqama.
• Copy of your passport, including the visa page.
• A recent passport photo with a white background (4×6 cm) or its digital equivalent.
• A medical report covering an eye/vision test and basic blood work from an approved clinic.

The Medical Test

Before conversion you must complete a driving-licence medical at a certified clinic or hospital approved for this purpose. The test usually includes an eye/vision check and simple blood work, including determining your blood type. Costs typically range from SAR 100 to SAR 200, with some clinics quoting closer to SAR 150–200. Keep the report ready, as you will need it for the Muroor appointment.

Step-by-Step: Converting Through Absher

Once your documents and medical report are ready, the process is handled online through Absher (Individuals) and finalised at a Muroor branch:

• Create or log into Absher (Individuals) using your iqama number and a Saudi mobile number.
• Navigate to Services → Traffic → Driving Licenses and choose the service labelled Replacement of Driving Licenses / Replace Foreign License / licence issuance for non-Saudis.
• Go to Appointments → Traffic and book a slot at a Muroor office convenient to you — for example in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, or Medina.
• Upload the required documents in Absher wherever prompted.
• Pay the licence issuance fee through Sadad / Government Payments in your bank app under driving-licence services.
• Attend your Muroor appointment with all originals. In many cases the Saudi licence is printed and issued during the same visit.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Visit

• Book your appointment early — popular branches in the big cities can fill up quickly.
• Make sure your foreign licence is still valid on the day of your appointment; an expired licence can block direct conversion.
• Double-check that the name on your translation, passport, and iqama match exactly.
• Bring both digital and printed copies of your documents to avoid delays.
• Complete the medical test shortly before your appointment so the report is current.

If Your Country Is Not Eligible

Should your issuing country not appear on the eligible list, direct conversion will not be available. Instead, you will register with an approved driving school, complete the required training hours, and pass the theory and practical examinations before a Saudi licence is issued. It takes longer, but it remains a straightforward path to legal driving in the Kingdom.

Final Word

Converting a foreign licence is one of the more efficient bits of paperwork for new residents — provided your country is on the eligible list and your documents are in order. Because fees, approved clinics, and the eligible-country list can change, always confirm the latest details directly on Absher and with your chosen Muroor branch before you travel to your appointment.

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