How to get Saudi Driving License (for Expat Ladies)

I’ve been meaning to get the Saudi driving license since late 2018 but didn’t get around to it because life (and the long waiting time in the first few years). After hearing about my friends wait for months to get an appointment I was quite discouraged and didn’t think I’d get a license any time soon. But this summer I made up my mind that I had to get the license no matter how long it takes.

Surprisingly, I got it in less than a month Alhamdulillah!

The information is all over the place so I thought of making this post to detail the steps to get a driving license in Saudi Arabia for ladies as of July 2023

This process is as of July 2023, some steps might change, removed or added in future so please do check at the time of the application

Step 1: Create your own ABSHER account

Any resident in Saudi Arabia can make an ABSHER account. Even dependents. You need to have a phone number linked to your own iqama (not spouse’s) and then register at https://www.absher.sa/

Post registration you will have to go to one of the ABSHER activation kiosks (list is on the website) to activate it with your fingerprint.

Absher is where all your details and documents are linked so nothing can be done without this step.

Step 2: Book assessment appointment

Whether you are novice driver or an experience one you have to book your initial appointment through ABSHER browser not app. (Unless you are converting a valid license from one of the approved countries, of which india is not one) My services » Traffic » Issue driving license » Book new appointment

Here the 1st option is for those who have experience driving and want to be assessed to determine classes. 2nd is for those who want to learn driving from scratch and want to take the 30 hour classes. I chose the first one as I had experience.

After choosing your region you will get a list of driving schools where you can go. In Riyadh I could get an appointment only at Princess Noura University (PNU) Driving School.

After selecting the school you will see multiple date and time slots for up to a week. I would recommend booking an earlier time slot to avoid heat and traffic.

Once appointment is confirmed please keep a screenshot. You will need to carry a printout of your appointment confirmation (including the barcode) and carry it with you for the assessment.

Step 3: Assessment

If you chose PNU as your driving school the assessment is at PNU Traffic Department (Muroor). Can be found on Maps. When you go there please make sure you have mobile data because you will have to scan a barcode there and register. There’s staff at the reception if you have any questions. Once you register proceed inside to the right to give your details for the driving assessment. They will check your iqama and add you to a list.

One of the staff will call you and two more ladies to proceed for assessment in an automatic sedan.

They will check if you follow traffic signs, turn, roundabout and priority rules, and 90 degree forward parking. This is about 5 mins per person. Just drive calmly!

After everyone finishes you will be told how many hours of training (theory and practical) you need. Minimum is 6 hours, intermediate is 15 hours and maximum is 30 hours.

Step 4: Make an account with Saudi Driving School

After your assessment immediately head from Muroor to Saudi Driving School (SDS), which is a few minutes drive away, to pay for your classes.

At the reception they will give you a token and you will have to wait (sometimes for hours) till your number is called. They will check your iqama and you will be asked to pay the fees per the number of hours you have been instructed to take. Please ensure you tell them which language you want the instruction to be in (Arabic or English)

I paid 690 SAR for 6 hours. For 15 hours it is 1466.25 SAR. For 30 hours it is 2760 SAR. They accept only cards here.

Once you have paid your fees you will receive a registration email from KSA Princess Nora driving school with a user name and password for their portal. Make sure you are able to login and view the site.

Step 4: Theory and computer test

If you choose English you will have to attend 4 hours of online classes (drive wise) through the portal (choose LMS from navigation). This is mandatory and you will have to complete the videos to be able to book the computer test. There’s also a 240 page long guide about driving rules in Saudi. Most of the questions in the computer test came from this guide, so make sure you go through them. You can also use Saudi drivers and RTA app to practice. Once you finish your online classes you need to book a slot for the computer test. They will tell you to contact the WhatsApp number or the hotline but don’t bother because they don’t respond.

To book your computer test you need to physically go to the Saudi Driving School again, take a token and book an appointment at the counter. The computer test is in the SDS building. 30 multiple choice questions. Read carefully because some of them are poorly translated and can be confusing. Once you submit all answers you will know immediately if you have passed or not (pass is 75%) If passed proceed to Simulation room 3 to book a practical road training slot (2 hours only if you got 6 hours training). If you have 15 or 30 hour classes you’ll have to do 2 hours of driving simulation too (I’m not sure about how to book that)

Step 5: Practical training, Medical check up and Road Test

Practical training is in the PNU Muroor building. Your instructor will take you through the PNU campus and the main road just outside explaining the rules and correcting your mistakes. The focus is on - speed, lane change, traffic signs, priority, round about, forward parking, and u turn. This training was 90 mins long for me. Once it was over the instructor helped me to book my road test on my phone through the portal. After the practical lessons are over you need to do a medical check, this can be done at SDS clinic for 187 SAR or at any approved clinic outside for lesser. They ask for your iqama and check blood group and basic vision test. This automatically gets updated on your ABSHER.

The road test is also at PNU Muroor. You will have to show your iqama and Home Screen of ABSHER app on your phone. You will be called in groups of 3 by your examiner. She will test each person for about 5-10 minutes. If you have passed head to Muroor to get your license printed on the spot. Just make sure to pay the license fees via your bank app (400 sar for 10 years, 200 for 5 and 80 for 2). If you have failed you will have to book and pay for additional classes at Muroor.