One of the first questions every new expat in Saudi Arabia asks is: do I need to take the driving test, or can I convert my existing licence? The answer depends entirely on your nationality. Saudi Arabia maintains a list of approved countries whose citizens can exchange their licence directly — no theory test, no practical test.
Countries Typically Eligible for Direct Conversion
- •All GCC countries — UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman
- •United States and Canada
- •United Kingdom
- •All European Union member states
- •Australia and New Zealand
- •Japan and South Korea
- •Turkey
- •Other countries with bilateral recognition agreements under Vision 2030
The official and most current list is on the Absher platform and Moroor website. Country eligibility changes — always verify before booking your appointment.
Countries That Must Take the Full Test
If your home country is not on the approved list — which includes most South Asian, Southeast Asian, and African nations — you must complete the full process: driving school, computer theory test, and practical test. Having years of driving experience does not exempt you from any steps.
Documents Required for Conversion
- •Valid Iqama (residency permit)
- •Valid passport with current visa
- •Original home country driving licence — must be valid
- •Arabic translation of your foreign licence (approximately SR 100)
- •Medical fitness certificate from Efada-approved centre — vision + blood group (approximately SR 150)
- •Passport-sized photographs, white background
- •Booking confirmation from Absher
- •Licence issuance fee payment via Sadad
How Much Does Conversion Cost in 2025?
- •Medical test (Efada): approximately SR 150 + VAT
- •Translation of foreign licence: approximately SR 100
- •Licence issuance fee: SR 500
- •Total estimated cost: SR 350–600
- •Renewal when it expires: SR 80 (2 years) / SR 200 (5 years) / SR 400 (10 years)
If you need to sit the Saudi theory test — practise with our free mock exam
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