Kuwait puts ban on new driving licences for expats

The announcement was made by Interior Ministry Assistant Undersecretary Major General Abdulfattah Al Ali, who said that the only exceptions would be for household drivers on specific visas, the Kuwait Times daily reported.  

Al Ali told the newspaper that the ban would remain in place until changes are made to the current regulations for expatriates to obtain new driving licences.

Since Ali’s appointment two months ago, hundreds of expats have been deported for minor traffic violations such as jumping red lights.

It is estimated that 12,000 foreigners in total have been ejected from the country over the last two years over driving misdemeanours and KD24m worth of fines issued.

Kuwaiti citizens who commit similar offences face having their cars impounded, although this can only take place if a court order is issued.

In a further development, the Al Jarida newspaper reported on Sunday that 313 expatriate teachers had had their contracts terminated after reaching the age of 60. This move has come despite a new law introduced by the Civil Services Commission in April that increase the age of retirement for citizens and locals working in the public sector up to 65.

Kuwait earlier this year announced the Gulf state would cut the number of foreigners, who make up about two-thirds of the population, by 1m over ten years.

The country also is implementing segregation in public health services, banning expats from attending public hospitals in the morning unless it is an emergency.

Lawmakers also have called for large subsidies for services such as water, electricity and gas to be scrapped for expats, which could push up monthly bills beyond the average salary.

Kuwait was named as one of the world’s least friendly countries towards tourists in a global travel and tourism competitiveness survey by the World Economic Forum released this week.

It was ranked 137 out of 140 countries for friendliness.