New Conditions for Expats

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s Parliament passed two amendments to the Traffic Law that introduce stricter conditions for issuing driving licences to expatriates, including linking licence validity to residency permits and expanding regulatory powers over foreign applicants.

The first amendment limits the validity of a non-Bahraini driving licence to the duration of the holder’s legal residency in the Kingdom. The second allows the executive authority to set additional conditions for expatriates applying for licences.

Lawmakers backing the changes said the reforms aim to ease pressure on Bahrain’s roads, as the number of expatriate workers and private vehicles continues to rise.

During discussions, MPs argued that the measures would help better organise traffic management and align licensing rules with broader residency regulations. Some also pointed to international practices where income and residency criteria are used in transport-related decisions.

The government, however, opposed both amendments, stating that existing regulations already require valid residency for obtaining and renewing driving licences. Officials warned the changes could create administrative challenges, particularly regarding renewal systems and long-term residency categories.

The Interior Ministry also said the proposed framework would be difficult to implement consistently because it does not follow a unified system. It further noted that current laws already allow the executive authority to issue additional conditions through regulations.

Despite the objections, Parliament approved both bills, moving them forward in the legislative process.