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 course — provided your issuing country is on the approved list. This Saudi Living guide walks you through eligibility, the documents you'll need, the medical test, booking through Absher, the in-person visit at Muroor, and the current fees, so you can plan the process with confidence.

Who Can Convert (Eligibility)

Direct conversion is available only to holders of licences issued by an approved list of roughly 48 countries, plus certain GCC states. If your issuing country is not on this list, you will need to follow the full driving-school route instead.

The simplest way to check your status is through the digital system itself:

• Absher and the related traffic-licence portals use a nationality and issuing-country dropdown.
• If the system lets you proceed past the country selection, you are eligible for direct conversion.
• If the system blocks you at the country step, you will be routed to the driving-school path.

The General Department of Traffic (Muroor), under the Ministry of Interior, is the authority responsible for the process.

Documents You'll Need

Gather these before you start your application to avoid delays:

• A valid Iqama (residence permit) and a copy.
• Your original foreign driving licence, still valid.
• A certified Arabic or English translation of the licence, covering both front and back.
• A passport copy (bio page and current visa, where applicable).
• A recent passport-size photo (typically 4×6 cm on a white background; a digital upload is often accepted).
• A medical report covering an eye/vision test and basic fitness, from a traffic-approved clinic or optical centre.

The Medical Test

The eye and basic medical tests — which sometimes include blood tests — must be carried out at a clinic or optical centre that is electronically linked to Muroor. In most cases the results are transmitted directly to the traffic system, so the traffic office already has them when you arrive. It is still wise to carry a printout as a backup.

Booking Your Appointment Online

The conversion is booked through the Absher Individuals portal or app:

• Log in to Absher, then go to Services → Traffic → Driving Licenses → Replacement of Driving Licenses (استبدال رخصة قيادة) or Driving License Conversion.
• Under Appointments → Traffic, select the region you're in, such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam or Medina.
• Upload clear scans or photos of your foreign licence (front and back), the certified translation, your Iqama and passport copies, and a recent photo.
• Choose an available Muroor or licence-replacement centre date and time.
• Print or save the appointment confirmation and bring it with you.

Your Visit to Muroor

On the day of your appointment, arrive on time at the selected traffic department or licence-replacement centre with all your original documents. There you will:

• Submit the original foreign licence, the certified translation, your Iqama, passport copy, photos, medical report, and proof of payment.
• Have your data and eligibility checked by the staff.
• Provide fingerprints and a photo, or confirm them if they are already on record.

Once your application is approved, the Saudi licence is usually issued the same day — often within minutes.

Fees and Payment

Converted licences use the same standard issuance tariffs (2026):

• SAR 200 for a Saudi driving licence valid for 5 years.
• SAR 400 for a Saudi driving licence valid for 10 years.

Payment is made through the Sadad government payments system, usually via a bill number generated during your application.

Practical Tips

• Make sure your foreign licence is still valid on the day of your visit — an expired licence can complicate conversion.
• Have your translation certified properly; incomplete or uncertified translations are a common cause of rejection.
• Keep both digital and printed copies of every document.
• Because exact fees, lists, and requirements can change, always confirm the current details on the official Saudi government portal (Absher) before you book.

With your documents in order and an Absher appointment booked, converting your foreign licence is one of the more straightforward pieces of settling into life in the Kingdom.

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