MPs’ nod for expat driving license renewal scheme

Manama : Expatriates in Bahrain may have to pay BD12 every two years to renew their driving licenses instead of every five years.

This procedure will be implemented if a controversial bill that was passed by the Parliament yesterday comes into force.

During their regular weekly meeting yesterday, the majority of Bahrain’s MPs voted for a bill to amend Law 23 of the year 2014 (Traffic Law) by adding a new article (27) to the existing text.

The new article compels non-Bahraini drivers to renew their driving licenses every two years, similarly to their residency permits. The existing article in the law instructs that the licenses must be renewed every five years, with a fee of BD12, as mentioned on the official website of the online services of the General Directorate of Traffic (www.Bahrain.bh).

DT News reported on Sunday that the Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee in the Council of Representatives approved the proposed legislation and referred it to the council for further approval. 

The MPs discussed the bill in their meeting yesterday, which witnessed an intense debate. One of the presenters of the bill was MP Jalal Kadhim, who yesterday justified the proposal saying, “There’s a legislative loophole in the existing Traffic Law. The validity of driving licenses of expats must be linked with the periods granted in their residency permits. It’s unbelievable that the validity of the license lasts for five years while the residency permit is only valid for two years.” 

Referring to some of the issues the bill is intended to solve, in his opinion, Kadhim spoke about the increasing phenomenon of irregular employment (Free Visa workers) and traffic congestions, which he assured that the bill would be helpful in eradicating. The MP told the House, “Today we have heavy traffic jams everywhere, as well as illegal workers that are freely wandering the streets of Bahrain without any regulations and standards to control this matter.”

Kadhim also mentioned that “some expats are using the Bahraini driving licenses in fellow GCC countries, while their residency permits here are expired”, adding that “this will contribute to the revenues of the state”.

Dr. Ali Bufarsen expressed his rejection to the bill mentioning several reasons that included “doubling the work of the employees of the General Directorate of Traffic to register, renew and issue the licenses”. Dr. Bufarsen commented that “if implemented, this procedure will require additional staff and equipment”.

He also said, “Imposing any additional fees on expats will backfire on citizens. If this bill is implemented, an expatriate who’s an employee of the public sector would demand a salary increase. And if he or she was a private sector employee, they will increase the prices of the services they are offering.”

Isa Al Kooheji supported Dr. Bufarsen’s opinion and said that “employers will eventually bear the expenses of biennially renewing the licenses of expats” as it will be required to run their work and businesses.Another objecting voice was Abdulhameed Al Najjar, who stated that “the bill discriminates between citizens and residents”, and stressed that “it’s against the policies of the Kingdom to attract employment and investment”.

On the other hand, another presenter of the proposed law, Ghazi Al Rahma, defended the bill and stressed on its significance.

“This bill is important and would have positive impacts on the citizens and the economy of Bahrain,” Al Rahma added.As reported on Saturday, Interior Ministry, represented by the General Directorate of Traffic, expressed its rejection to the bill in a reply to the committee’s queries.

The General Directorate named several reasons for rejecting the bill, such as 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 is to be biennially renewed. The Traffic Law and its regulations mention more than one type of driving licenses, in accordance to 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.