The service is intended for people planning to travel abroad and drive in countries that recognize the relevant international driving documentation under their local traffic regulations.

Applicants can use the Kingdom’s national government services portal to verify their existing licence information, complete the required details, and pay the prescribed issuance fee.

This is an established government traffic service rather than a newly introduced right to drive in every country without additional requirements or restrictions.

According to the official service directory, the international driving permit is issued for a period of one year and is based on an existing driving licence that remains valid.

Applicants must have a valid Bahraini driving licence and a valid identity card when submitting their request through the official electronic service.

They must also settle all outstanding traffic fines, violations, and obligations associated with accidents where applicable, before the application can proceed.

Another important requirement is that the applicant must have no legal restrictions registered against their personal identification number.

Regarding official charges, the General Directorate of Traffic lists a fee of BHD 15 for the issuance of an international driving permit.

Payment can be completed electronically through the national portal using an accepted debit card or credit card after the applicant’s details and eligibility have been checked.

Applicants should distinguish the government issuance charge from any additional expenses that may arise through separate services or requirements in the country they intend to visit.

An international driving permit should also not be confused with a replacement for an expired, lost, or damaged Bahraini driving licence, since these services are governed by separate procedures.

To apply electronically, the user begins by accessing Bahrain’s official government services portal and opening the General Directorate of Traffic services.

The applicant then selects the International Driving Licence Issuance service and signs in using the approved electronic key authentication system.

The electronic platform displays the driving licences associated with the applicant’s government records, allowing the user to review the relevant licence information.

The applicant enters a delivery address and the required contact information, verifies that the service conditions have been met, and completes payment to submit the request.

The government service information explains that the issuance process is completed through the electronic service once the applicable conditions have been verified.

The dedicated online service page lists a processing period of one working day, while the broader government service directory provides separate timeframes for printing and delivery.

According to that directory, preparing the printed permit through the responsible directorate may require up to two working days.

Delivery through Bahrain Post may take up to five working days, meaning that travellers should allow sufficient time before their intended departure.

Applicants who need the permit for an upcoming trip are therefore encouraged to submit the request early rather than assuming that the printed document will arrive immediately after online payment.

It is also important to understand that an international driving permit is generally used alongside the underlying national driving licence, not as an unconditional replacement for that licence.

The recognition of international driving documentation depends on the country of destination, the relevant vehicle category, and the laws or requirements imposed by local authorities.

Some destinations or vehicle rental providers may have additional age, insurance, documentary, or licence requirements that are separate from Bahrain’s issuance procedure.

Travellers should verify the destination country’s rules before departure and confirm whether both the international permit and their original Bahraini driving licence must be carried.

The service is connected to Bahrain’s established traffic legislation, including Traffic Law No. 23 of 2014 and the executive regulations issued under Minister of Interior Decision No. 154 of 2015 and its amendments.

The official service guide also identifies Ministerial Resolution No. 309 of 1998 among the legal instruments relevant to the General Directorate of Traffic’s service fees.

These regulations provide the administrative framework within which driving licence services and related government procedures are carried out.

The international permit application differs from an ordinary driving licence renewal or replacement request because it depends on an existing valid licence rather than issuing a new domestic driving qualification.

Applicants whose Bahraini licences have expired or whose traffic records contain unresolved violations should address those issues before requesting the international document.

The online service offers citizens and residents a convenient way to arrange the required permit without beginning a separate domestic driving licence application.

Using the national government portal also allows applicants to access their official licence records and submit the relevant payment through authorized channels.

Applicants should carefully review their personal information, licence details, and delivery address to help avoid errors or delays in processing the request.

The Ministry of Interior’s General Directorate of Traffic remains the official authority responsible for confirming eligibility, fees, permit validity, application procedures, and delivery arrangements.

Source: Bahrain Ministry of Interior – General Directorate of Traffic – Kingdom of Bahrain National Portal.