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A legislative development in Bahrain has brought renewed attention to the driving licence arrangements applicable to expatriate residents, The Shura Council’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee has recommended rejecting a proposed amendment that would link the validity of driving licences held by non-Bahrainis to the duration of their legal residency.

The proposal, previously approved by the Council of Representatives, is scheduled for discussion by the Shura Council on Sunday, November 1, 2026. The debate has particular relevance for residents, families, investors and employers who could be affected by changes to licence renewal requirements.

According to a report published by Al Ayam newspaper on Friday, October 30, the proposed legislation would add a provision to Article 19 of Bahrain’s Traffic Law, requiring driving licences issued to non-Bahraini residents to remain valid for no longer than their residence permits. Supporters of the amendment have presented it as a measure intended to address traffic congestion, the increasing number of vehicles, public revenue considerations and concerns relating to workers who do not have lawful residency status.

However, the Shura committee concluded that the existing legal framework already addresses essential residency requirements for driving licences. Under the current implementing regulations, non-Bahraini applicants must hold valid residency authorization when applying for or renewing a driving licence. The committee argued that directly linking the expiry date of every licence to the expiry date of the holder’s residence permit would introduce administrative complications without necessarily addressing the traffic problems the proposal was designed to resolve.

One of the committee’s central concerns involves the additional financial and administrative burden that could fall on expatriates and employers. Driving licences under the existing arrangements generally have a five-year validity period, while some residents hold permits lasting only one or two years. If the proposed amendment were adopted, these individuals could face more frequent licence renewals, additional fees and repeated administrative procedures. The committee also emphasized that the measure would affect a much wider population than workers without lawful residency, including investors, students, family-sponsored residents and domestic drivers.

The committee further questioned how the proposed system would operate for holders of long-term residency arrangements, including Golden Residency permits, where the duration of residence authorization may differ significantly from normal driving licence validity. It argued that driving licences concern an individual’s eligibility, competence and fitness to drive, while residency permits establish the person’s legal right to remain in Bahrain. Importantly, the committee’s recommendation does not constitute a final decision by the Shura Council, and the proposal has not entered into force. Existing licensing and residency requirements therefore remain applicable unless and until a legislative amendment is formally approved and implemented.

Source: Al Ayam Newspaper, Bahrain