Proposal for biennial renewal of expat driving licences rejected 

Manama : The General Directorate of Traffic has rejected a proposal that compels expatriate drivers to biennially renew their driving licences, along with their residency permits,  DT News has learnt. Submitted by MPs Jalal Kadhim and Ghazi Al Rahma last August, the bill proposes to “stop the misuse of the Traffic Law by expats”. Both commented back then that “the current legal situation has proved its inability to deter foreigners who misuse the traffic law”.

The bill stipulated amending Law 23 of the year 2014 (Traffic Law) by adding a new article (27) to the existing text, with the aim to impose the biennial renewal of expats’ driving licenses in the near future.

Interior Ministry, represented by the General Directorate of Traffic rejected the bill naming several reasons that include imposing additional financial burdens on expats, violating the rights of drivers and lack of specification.

“The bill didn’t specify which type of driving licenses are to be biennially renewed. The Traffic Law and its regulations mention more than one type of driving licenses, in accordance with the vehicles driven. The traffic system in the Kingdom stipulates that driving licenses must be renewed every five years. A period that is considered appropriate by the General Directorate of Traffic. Renewing driving licenses every two years is an additional financial burden on expats. The bill harms the rights of non-Bahraini drivers to obtain driving licenses,” The General Directorate of Traffic replied to the MPs while stressing that “the bill discriminates between the rights of Bahraini and non-Bahraini drivers, against the Kingdom’s policies to protect rights and freedoms.

The matter was referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee in the Council of Representatives for further studying and discussing. Committee members approved the bill and issued a report that will be reviewed and voted on by the council during its weekly meeting this Tuesday.

As reported on DT News last year, MP Kadhim Justifying his proposed bill saying, “There are over 60, 000 irregular workers in Bahrain who own driving licenses that are valid for five years despite the expiration of their residency permits. Linking the validity periods of residency permits and driving licenses would contribute to solving the irregular workers’ issue and increase the state revenues.”

The latest statistics released by the General Directorate of Traffic shows that there are more than 307, 000 non-Bahrainis who own driving licenses in the Kingdom, including 256, 000 private vehicles licenses, compared to 383, 000 Bahraini drivers and around 5, 000 GCC nationals in Bahrain.