New Law to Limit Expats to One Vehicle Ownership in Kuwait

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Expats in Kuwait will soon face a significant change in vehicle ownership regulations, as a new traffic law limits them to owning just one vehicle.

The upcoming law, announced by Major-General Yousef Al-Khaddah, Assistant Undersecretary for Traffic Affairs and Operations, aims to tackle rising traffic violations with tougher fines and stricter penalties.

Al-Khaddah highlighted that the law will enforce dramatic increases in fines, with some penalties rising by as much as 750%. The law has already been reviewed by the government’s legal department, public prosecution, and higher judicial council, and is now awaiting final approval from HH the Amir. Notably, the legislation will replace a nearly five-decade-old traffic law from 1976, with the new provisions aiming to strengthen deterrents against traffic offenses.

Key changes in the new law include:

• Ownership Limit: Expats will only be allowed to own one vehicle.
• Parking Violations: Fines for parking in prohibited areas will increase from KD 5 to KD 15.
• Mobile Phone Use While Driving: The fine will surge from KD 5 to KD 75.
• Seatbelt Violations: The penalty will triple, from KD 10 to KD 30.
• Reckless Driving: Fines will rise from KD 30 to KD 150, while running a red light or racing will incur fines of KD 150, up from KD 50.
• Environmental Violations: Penalties for vehicles emitting harmful substances or making excessive noise will increase to KD 75 from KD 10.
• Handicapped Parking: Fines will jump fifteen-fold, from KD 10 to KD 150.

Speeding violations will see substantial increases, with fines ranging between KD 70 and KD 150, compared to the current KD 20 to KD 50. For more severe offenses like driving under the influence, fines will now range from KD 1,000 to KD 3,000, with potential jail time of one to two years. If such offenses cause property damage, the penalties could go up to KD 3,000, and if they result in injury or death, fines may reach KD 5,000, with up to five years imprisonment.

The new traffic law also introduces alternative punishments, such as replacing jail time with social service, and allows for vehicle impoundment at home instead of Ministry facilities.

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