Bahrain Rejects Proposed Minimum Salary Requirement for Driving Licence, Easing Expats' Concerns

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

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Expats in Bahrain can breathe a sigh of relief as the government rejected a proposed minimum salary requirement for obtaining a driving licence.

Concerns over a potential BD500 threshold, similar to a proposal dismissed in 2014, were addressed in a recent letter to Members of Parliament.

The government confirmed that existing regulations are sufficient, citing current residency checks and ongoing initiatives to tackle traffic congestion through a ministerial committee led by the Minister of Interior.

This decision positively impacts thousands of expats living and working in Bahrain.

In a letter to MPs, the government confirmed it had reviewed the proposal, which suggested tightening the criteria for issuing licences to non-Bahrainis, including the proposed salary requirement.

It stated, “The existing executive regulations of the Traffic Law adequately cover the issuance of driving licences to expats.”

The government also pointed out that residency requirements are already verified by the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) before any applications are processed.

As for the second part of the proposal, which aimed to address traffic congestion, the government noted that His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, had already ordered the formation of a ministerial committee, chaired by the Minister of Interior, to tackle the issue.

“This committee has been tasked with assessing traffic conditions and providing recommendations to the Cabinet,” the letter said.

On 26th July 2023, the Cabinet approved a series of steps to improve the transport system and ease congestion, following the committee’s findings.

These measures include reviewing traffic flow and maintaining oversight of the solutions already in place.

Addressing the third aspect of the proposal — restricting driving licences to expats earning more than BD500 — the government reminded MPs that a similar suggestion had been dismissed during discussions on the 2014 Traffic Law.

Salary “The Council of Representatives previously rejected a proposal to impose a salary threshold of 31 dinars,” the letter explained. The government reaffirmed that current regulations ensure public safety and the welfare of road users.

“Should any future amendments be necessary, they could be integrated within the existing framework aimed at managing road safety and alleviating congestion,” it concluded.