What an IDP is (and is not)
An International Driving Permit is a translation of your domestic license that many countries accept alongside it. It is not a license on its own: you must carry your Kuwaiti license with it, and it is only as valid as that license.
Looking for the opposite case, driving in Kuwait on a foreign license? Read international driver's license in Kuwait.
Who issues the Kuwait IDP
The Kuwait International Automobile Club says it is authorised by the Ministry of Interior, Traffic Department, to issue International Driving Permits through its membership in the International Automobile Federation (FIA). The club describes the permit as valid for one year.
The GDT procedure pages we reviewed do not list the IDP as a GDT service, so KIAC is the place to go.
Who can apply
- You must be at least 18 years old (reported by an IDP information site)
- You must hold a Kuwaiti driving license: someone without a local license cannot apply
- The address on the application must match the address on your license
- A temporary or interim license cannot be used to get an IDP
- Non-residents cannot apply for a Kuwait-issued IDP (reported by the same site)
- Official sources for this topic are thin. We could not open an official GDT or KIAC page with the full details, so the points below come from the club's own wording where we could confirm it and from third-party guides where we could not. Always confirm with KIAC or the GDT before you rely on it.
Documents reported for the application
A third-party wiki lists these documents for the Kuwait IDP. KIAC may ask for different or additional papers, so check first.
- The application form, obtained at KIAC
- A copy of your Kuwaiti driving license, front and back
- A copy of your passport
- A copy of your Civil ID
- A photo (the IDP information site asks for two passport-size photos signed on the back; printed or photocopied photos are not accepted)
Cost and processing time
KIAC does not publish a fee on the pages we could open, and its site says charges vary with the delivery method. We do not list prices because we cannot verify them: ask KIAC for the current charge.
Before you travel
- Check that your Kuwaiti license is valid: the IDP cannot outlast it. See Renew driving license and Lost or damaged license.
- Check the rules of your destination: countries differ on which IDP types they accept and for how long.
- Carry the IDP and your Kuwaiti license together.
- Expat licenses are reported to be valid for five years under Decision No. 425 of 2025: see the license validity note.
Sources
- Kuwait International Automobile Club (KIAC): official club website: Click here
- International Driving Permit information site: Kuwait: Click here
- Wikiprocedure: Kuwait, International Driver License (IDL): Click here
- General Traffic Department (GDT), Ministry of Interior: Click here
Compiled October 2026. This site is independent and not affiliated with the Kuwait International Automobile Club or the government. Rules and offices change: confirm before you act.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get an International Driving Permit in Kuwait?
From the Kuwait International Automobile Club (KIAC), which says it is authorised by the Ministry of Interior, Traffic Department, to issue IDPs.
How long is a Kuwait IDP valid?
KIAC describes the permit as valid for one year. A third-party site says a permit issued under the 1968 convention can last up to three years, but never longer than your domestic license. Confirm the term with KIAC.
Can a tourist get a Kuwait IDP?
Reports say non-residents cannot apply for a Kuwait-issued IDP and that you need a Kuwaiti license. Tourists should get their IDP from the country that issued their own license.
Is an IDP the same as a driving license?
No. It translates your domestic license and must be carried with it. The license itself still comes from the GDT: see New driving license.
Does an IDP let me drive in Kuwait as a resident?
No. Reports say residents must hold a Kuwaiti license. Read the guide for visitors and residents.