Converting a Foreign Driving Licence in Saudi Arabia

If you already hold a valid driving licence from your home country, you may be able to convert it into a Saudi licence without sitting a full driving test. The process is handled entirely by the General Department of Traffic (Moroor), and most of it starts online through Absher. This guide from سعودي ليفنج walks you through eligibility, documents, costs and the practical steps so you know exactly what to expect before you begin.

Who Is Eligible to Convert?

Conversion is designed for residents who want to swap a foreign licence for a Saudi one. Two conditions matter most:

• You must hold a valid Iqama (resident ID). Your foreign licence alone is not enough — your record must be active in the traffic system.
• Your foreign licence must be valid at the time of conversion (not expired).
• Your licence should generally be issued by a country on the approved conversion list. If your country is not listed, you will usually be required to take driving tests rather than convert directly.

If you are unsure whether your country qualifies, confirm the current approved list through the Absher portal or the General Department of Traffic before paying for any translations.

Documents You Will Need

• Original valid foreign driving licence.
• Valid Iqama.
• An official Arabic or English translation of the licence if it is issued in another language. This must come from a certified translator or approved translation office. Budget roughly SAR 50–100, with SAR 100 a common estimate.
• Recent passport-size photos.
• A completed medical fitness test (details below).

The Medical Fitness Test (Efada)

Before your licence can be issued, you must pass a medical fitness test at an Efada-approved clinic. This typically checks eyesight and basic fitness to drive. The clinic uploads your result electronically to the traffic system, so there is usually nothing further for you to submit manually.

The medical test commonly costs around SAR 100–200, with many people paying roughly SAR 150 plus VAT. Prices vary between providers, so confirm at the clinic when you book.

Understanding the Fees

The government issuance fee depends on how long you want the licence to be valid. Recent guidance commonly lists:

• 2-year licence: SAR 80
• 5-year licence: SAR 200–250 (some schedules list SAR 250, others still cite SAR 200)
• 10-year licence: SAR 400 where offered — note this option is not always available in current fee tables

When you add translation, the medical test, photos and copies, most people find the total out-of-pocket cost falls between roughly SAR 350 and SAR 600, depending on the validity period and provider pricing. Because fee schedules are periodically updated, always verify the exact figure at the payment stage.

Step-by-Step Process

• Get your licence translated at a certified office if it is not already in Arabic or English.
• Complete the Efada medical test at an approved clinic so your result is on file.
• Log in to Absher (Individuals) and go to Services → Traffic → Driving Licenses → Replacement / Convert Foreign Driving License.
• Pay the issuance fee via Sadad – Government Payments → Driving License Issuance, choosing your preferred validity period. Save or print the payment receipt.
• Attend the traffic department if required to hand over your original foreign licence and collect the Saudi one, following the appointment or instructions shown in Absher.

Practical Tips

• Do the medical test and translation first — these are prerequisites, and having them ready avoids delays.
• Keep your payment receipt; you may be asked to show it.
• Your original foreign licence is normally surrendered during conversion, so keep a photocopy for your records.
• Fees and approved-country lists change over time — confirm the latest details on Absher or with the General Department of Traffic before you start.

Once complete, you will hold a valid Saudi driving licence that lets you drive legally across the Kingdom. With most of the process now digital, converting your licence is far quicker than it once was — as long as you prepare your documents in advance.

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