Driving in Kuwait

Living in Kuwait is a great adventure, and you get to experience a different culture and way of life. And even though Kuwait is quite similar to the west in most regards, there are still some things that you should know about Kuwait traffic. It will allow you to move faster. It will give you a good sense of what driving looks like in this middle-eastern country. And hopefully, it will allow you to avoid traffic jams in the future.

Things to know about Kuwait traffic

Before we dive deeper into Kuwait traffic, you should get to know some basic rules and regulations. In Kuwait, you drive on the right-hand side of the road, like in most of the world. You need to be very careful when driving there as law enforcement on Kuwait’s roads is strict. Following speed limits and paying attention to traffic signs is very important. The speed limit on major highways is 75 miles per hour (120km/h). On urban roads, the speed limit is usually 28 miles per hours (45km/h). However, many drivers don’t pay much attention to this. Which leads to very hard roads to drive on. That’s why it’s advisable to use air freight Kuwait services when moving. It will be much easier for you. And you won’t have to worry about traffic.

 The good news is that almost all signs are both in Arabic and in English. So, as an expat, you shouldn’t have any problems navigating the roads. Road network is very well developed. Meaning that you can reach all parts of Kuwait using very well constructed roads. 

Cars are very popular in Kuwait

With a highly developed road network and low petrol prices, many people in Kuwait drive cars. And cars are by far the most popular means of transportation. As much as 80% of the population use cars to get to work or school. While public transport makes up for a little over 6%. All those cars on the road can cause some extreme traffic congestion during peak times. And it’s sometimes very difficult or even impossible to avoid it.

Can you drive in Kuwait?

Whenever you are introduced to a different culture, you need to be prepared to learn about it. Things are not always the same at home and abroad. And you need to make sure you are following all the right regulations. Let’s disregard whether or not you should drive in Kuwait. And everything else regarding Kuwait traffic. First, we need to focus on whether you can or can’t drive in Kuwait. Authorities in Kuwait are very strict when it comes to traffic regulations. So, you need to be sure that you are allowed and permitted to drive there.  If you own an international driver’s license( www.idltrip.com ) you will most likely be able to drive in Kuwait. That, of course, depends on the country you are from. But, once foreigners receive their Civil ID card they are required to get a Kuwait driver’s license. The process of getting a local drivers license can vary based on where you are from. But it’s generally not that hard to get it. You may be required to take a learner’s and driving test. But nothing too hard.  Kuwait signed one United Nations Convention, and it is a legal requirement for visitors to have a valid International Driving Permit (IDP)/international driver’s license in order to rent a car and legally drive in Kuwait.