Government Rejects Bill Restricting Foreigner Driving Licenses

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The government has rejected a proposed law aimed at restricting the issuance of driving licenses to foreigners.  The government argues the bill is unnecessary as existing legislation already addresses the issue and that the bill infringes upon fundamental constitutional rights.

The proposed law sought to alleviate traffic congestion by limiting the number of foreign drivers on the roads. However, the government's response, included in an explanatory memorandum, stated that the existing Traffic Law, specifically Article 19, already delegates the authority to set conditions for obtaining driving licenses to the executive regulations. These regulations apply equally to citizens and residents.

The government further argued that the proposed law violates Article 19 of the Bahraini Constitution, which guarantees personal freedom, including the freedom of movement and residence, subject only to legal restrictions and judicial oversight.  

The memorandum highlighted that the bill's restrictions on driving licenses, while not explicitly removing the right to movement, effectively curtail this fundamental right, contradicting both the constitution and Bahrain's obligations under international human rights conventions, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The government's response specifically criticised Article 20 of the proposed law, stating that it makes obtaining a driving license the exception rather than the rule for foreigners.  This, the government argued, inverts the principle that freedom is the default position, subject only to justifiable limitations.