How to get Saudi driving license: with or without test
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Getting your Saudi driving license is easier than you might think—even for residents and expats. As long as you meet a few basic requirements, you’re good to go:
- You need to be at least 18 years old.
- A valid Iqama is a must.
- You’ll need to be medically fit.
- And, you’ll need to pass both the theory and driving tests (unless you already have a valid foreign license recognized in Saudi Arabia).
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process & how to find the cheap car insurance in Saudi Arabia after you get your license
How to apply for a Saudi driving license (first time)
1. book an appointment at a driving school on Absher
Start by logging into your Absher account. Then:
- Go to Appointments > Traffic > Book Driving School Appointment
- Pick your region and school
- Confirm the date and time
You’ll get a message asking you to pay the training fee. For beginners, it’s about SAR 2,760 for 30 hours of lessons.
2. take your driving lessons
Lessons begin with classroom sessions about driving rules & road signs in Saudi Arabia.
After that, you’ll:
- Take the theory test
- Practice on a driving simulator
- Start driving on the school track
💡 Book your medical exam during before the test to save time.
You can do the medical test at any approved clinic. The results go straight to Absher through the Efada system.
3. take your driving test & get the license
When you’re done with your hours, your instructor will schedule your test. If you pass:
- pay the license fee
- You’ll get your Saudi license right away!
How to get Saudi driving license without a test
To apply for a Saudi driving license without taking a test, you can convert your own driving license. But first, you’ll need to…
1. check if your license is on the list
Saudi Arabia accepts licenses from:
- GCC countries
- EU, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
- Japan, South Korea, China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Russia.
2. get your driving license translated
Before you can apply, you’ll need to get your license translated at a certified translation services office. Saudi Muroor won’t accept any self-translations!
3. do the medical check-up
To get the Saudi driving license, you’ll also need to pass a basic medical check-up (eye test, blood type, disability screening) at any medical center linked to Muroor’s system. You can find a list of those centers on Absher.
4. apply for driving license through Absher
Converting Foreign driving licence into Saudi One
1️⃣ Log in to Absher – Select [Individuals], sign in, and enter the OTP sent to your mobile.
2️⃣ Book an Appointment – go to [Appointments] > [Traffic] > [Book an Appointment] and select [Replacement of Driving Licenses].
3️⃣ Choose Location – choose your region from the dropdown list, then select a driving school with a [Department for Replace Driving Licenses].
4️⃣ Fill Details – Enter the required information, upload the PDFs, accept the terms, and proceed.
5️⃣ Select Date & Time – Pick an available slot, confirm your appointment, and print your appointment ticket.
6️⃣ Pay the Fee – It’s 200 SAR for 5 years and 400SAR for 10 years. You can do this from your bank app.
5. visit Moroor & get your Saudi license
On the day of your appointment, bring your:
- Iqama (or national ID)
- Original driving license
- Certified driving license translation (if needed)
- appointment ticket.
- Payment proof (receipt)
By following these steps, you can get your Saudi driving license the same day.
Got your license? Here’s what to know about car insurance
Now that you’ve got your license in hand, you’re almost ready to start driving in Saudi Arabia—but there are still a few important things to know about car insurance:
- If the car has third party insurance, there’s nothing to worry about! With third party, any driver with a vlaid license can drive the car. When an accident happens, insurance will cover damage to others even if the driver was not the car owner.
- If the car has comprehensive insurance, insurance will only pay for accidents caused by the car owner, their close family members (like a spouse, sibling, or child) + their private driver.
- If the car is financed, you’ll need to contact the bank or financing company to add you as an additional driver first. Otherwise, if you cause an accident, insurance will reject the claim—or worse, ask you to pay back what they paid others.
car insurance for a new car in Saudi
As a new driver, you’ll likely find car insurance prices in Saudi Arabia EXPENSIVE! That’s because new drivers are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents. But don’t worry—there are ways to find cheaper car insurance!
Start by shopping around online. Car insurance prices aren’t fixed, and some companies might offer you a much better deal than others. So don’t rush into buying the first car insurance offer you get—always compare prices online!
Want cheaper car insurance for next year?
Keep a clean driving record from day one! If you go a full year with no car accidents, you get a special discount from Najm on your car insurance. It’s called a No Claims Discount (NCD) —which can save you up to 60% on your comprehensive insurance over time.
