Kuwait has introduced comprehensive amendments to its traffic laws under Decree-Law No. 5 of 2025, imposing significantly harsher penalties for a wide range of violations.
The reforms, aimed at improving road safety and curbing reckless behavior, represent the most extensive overhaul of Kuwait’s traffic regulations since the original law was enacted in 1976.
The new provisions include fines ranging from KD 15 to KD 10,000, alongside stricter imprisonment terms for severe offenses.
Key violations and penalties:
- Driving under the influence (DUI): Offenders face fines up to KD 3,000 and two years’ imprisonment. If the offense results in property damage, injury, or death, penalties escalate to fines of up to KD 5,000 and imprisonment of up to five years.
- Reckless driving: Unauthorised road races or behavior endangering lives or property can lead to fines of up to KD 1,000 and imprisonment for one to three years.
- Unauthorised vehicle modifications: Alterations to license plates, tinting, stickers, or external modifications are punishable by fines of up to KD 200.
- Abandoning vehicles or debris on public roads: Offenders face fines ranging from KD 45 to KD 75.
- Driving without a valid license: Penalties include fines of up to KD 300 and three months’ imprisonment. Repeat offenders risk license suspension for extended periods, while first-time drivers committing two violations within their first year may face license revocation and mandatory retesting.
Modernised administrative measures:
The law introduces electronic communication for traffic violations and court summonses through government apps, SMS, or email, streamlining the legal process and ensuring timely notifications.
Courts can now impose alternative penalties, such as community service, rehabilitation programs, or restitution for damages caused by violations.
Police officers are authorised to arrest individuals for severe offenses, including fleeing the scene of an accident, DUI, or participating in high-speed road races. Repeat offenders face heightened penalties, with license suspensions of up to five years.
The amendments are set to take effect three months after publication in the Official Gazette, giving drivers and vehicle owners time to familiarise themselves with the updated regulations.
The Ministry of Interior emphasised that these reforms aim to reduce traffic incidents, enhance public safety, and promote responsible driving behavior.