How to get a driving licence in Bahrain: the learner licence, lessons and GDT tests, replacing a foreign licence, and renewing online with your eKey.
To get a driving licence in Bahrain as a new driver, you apply for a learner licence from the General Directorate of Traffic (GDT), train with a licensed driving instructor, then pass the GDT driving tests. If you already hold a licence from abroad, you may be able to replace it with a Bahraini one, depending on the country that issued it. Renewals are done online through the bahrain.bh National Portal. This guide walks through each route, what to prepare, and the mistakes that cost people weeks.
Before you start: eKey, CPR and a clean traffic record
Almost every GDT driving service runs through the national eGovernment portal, so set up your eKey first. You will also need a valid ID card (CPR). Non-Bahrainis need a valid residence permit. One condition catches many applicants: all traffic fines, contraventions and accident cases linked to your personal number must be settled, and there must be no legal restriction on your personal number. Check your record through the "Your Traffic Record" eService before you apply for anything.
Getting a driving licence in Bahrain as a new learner
Step 1: Apply for a learner licence
The official service is the temporary licence for learning to drive, valid for one year and available for all licence categories. According to the service page on the bahrain.bh National Portal, you must be at least 18 years old for the private car and motorcycle categories, free from disabilities that would prevent safe driving, and you must pass a vision test. The only document listed is a valid ID card. The page showed fees ranging from BD 15 to BD 47 depending on the category when we reviewed it; confirm the current amount before you pay.
You can start the request online (log in with your eKey under Driving Services, then complete the procedure at the traffic office) or go in person by booking a slot on the Mawaeid appointment app. In-person processing is listed as one working day.
Step 2: Choose a licensed driving instructor
Use the "Search for Driving Instructors" eService to find a GDT-licensed instructor. Instructors in Bahrain are licensed by the GDT, so do not book lessons with anyone who cannot show that licence. Ask about the number of training hours the GDT requires before you can sit the test, how lessons are scheduled, and whether the instructor's car will be used on test day.
Step 3: Attend the theory lecture
The GDT offers the theory lecture for learners online through the "Attend the Theoretical Lecture for Driving Learning" eService, so you can complete it from home. Take it seriously: road signs, right-of-way rules and roundabout discipline come up again when you are examined.
Step 4: Book and pass the driving test
When your instructor confirms you are ready, book through the "Book a Driving Test Appointment" eService and use "Manage Driving Test Appointments" to reschedule. If your learner licence is close to its one-year expiry, renew it online with "Renew a Learner Driving License" rather than letting it lapse mid-training.
On test day, arrive early with your ID card and a valid learner licence, and confirm with your instructor which car you will use. If you do not pass first time, do not rush to rebook: ask your instructor what the examiner flagged and book extra lessons on those points before you try again.
Common learner mistakes
- Applying with an unpaid traffic fine on your personal number.
- Letting the learner licence expire during a long gap between lessons.
- Booking a test before your instructor signs off on your hours.
- Practising only in quiet areas — test routes include busy junctions and roundabouts.
Replacing a foreign or GCC licence with a Bahraini licence
The GDT runs a service to replace a licence issued by a recognised country with a Bahraini licence. If your country is on the recognised list, you may not need to go through the full learner route; if it is not, you follow the learner steps above. The list of recognised countries is maintained by the GDT and can change, so check it on the bahrain.bh service catalogue or with the Directorate before you plan around it. Expat guides consistently report that licences from other GCC states are exchanged without a driving test, but confirm your own case.
Bring your original foreign licence, your valid ID card and any other document the GDT asks for (applicants commonly report a personal photo and an eye test). If your licence is not in Arabic or English, ask in advance whether a certified translation is needed.
Renewing your Bahrain driving licence online
The "Driving License Renewal" eService renews licences for private vehicles and motorcycles. Log in to the General Directorate of Traffic services with your eKey, enter your personal number, ID card expiry date, block number and licence details, and the system retrieves your licence and any traffic convictions against your CPR. You then choose a delivery address, add a mobile number for SMS updates, and pay. Renewal is refused while fines are outstanding, and non-Bahrainis need a valid residence permit, so clear both first.
- Lost or damaged licence: use the "Issue a Lost or Damaged Driving License" eService.
- Driving abroad: the International Driving License is issued online, valid for one year, to holders of a valid Bahraini licence. The listed fee was BD 15 when we reviewed it.
- Paying fines: pay only through the MyGov app or the national eGovernment portal. The GDT has warned about fake text messages with payment links.
After you pass: buying your first car
New drivers often start with an affordable, easy-to-maintain car. Browse used cars under BD 3,000, read our picks of the cheapest cars under BD 3,000, and look at Japanese cars in Bahrain for models with cheap parts and strong resale. Before you commit, budget for insurance, registration and fuel with our guide to the cost of owning a car in Bahrain, and run through the used car buying checklist at every viewing. If you need to spread the cost, you can submit a car financing application through MotorsSouq. Once you are on the road, our summer driving tips will help you and your car cope with the heat.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum age for a driving licence in Bahrain?
The learner licence service lists a minimum age of 18 for the private car and motorcycle categories. Other categories, such as public transport, have their own conditions.
Can I do the driving theory lecture online?
Yes. The GDT offers the theoretical lecture for driving learners as an eService on the national portal.
Can I convert my home-country licence in Bahrain?
Only if the issuing country is on the GDT's recognised list. Otherwise you apply for a learner licence, train and pass the tests like a new driver.
Why was my licence renewal rejected?
The most common reasons are unpaid traffic fines, an expired ID card or, for non-Bahrainis, an expired residence permit. Settle these and try again.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Procedures and fees change — always confirm on the official portal before you apply.
