Table of Contents
Introduction
In a sweeping move to improve road safety and curb dangerous driving behaviors, Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior has introduced a new traffic law, replacing the 48-year-old legislation previously in place. The updated Kuwait traffic violations law imposes significantly tougher penalties for both fines and imprisonment. Especially the serious offenses such as reckless driving, spending and running red lights.
To raise public awareness and ensure compliance, the Ministry of Interior has released a 34-page official guide outlining all violations and their respective penalties. Recognising Kuwait’s diverse population, the guide has been translated into six languages; English, Persian, Urdu, Hindi, Tagalog and Bengali, making it accessible to both Kuwaiti citizen and expatriate residents.
In this article, we have extracted and summarize the English version of the law into a clear, easy-to-read table. With fines reaching up to 2,000 KD and prison sentences as long as three years, it is crucial that all drivers understand the new rules. The table below highlights the key changes resident should be aware of.
Kuwait Traffic Violations List Summarised
| Violation | Immediate Fine | Penalty After Court Referral |
| Running a red traffic light | 150 KD | 1–3 years prison or 600–1,000 KD fine or both |
| Participating in a race on public roads | 150 KD | 1–3 years prison or 600–1,000 KD fine or both |
| Reckless driving | 150 KD | 1–3 years prison or 600–1,000 KD fine or both |
| Parking in disabled spaces | 150 KD | 1–3 years prison or 600–1,000 KD fine or both |
| Operating a vehicle for passenger transport without a permit | 150 KD | 1–3 years prison or 600–1,000 KD fine or both |
| Driving quad bikes/motorcycles in prohibited areas | 150 KD | 1–3 years prison or 600–1,000 KD fine or both |
| Exceeding the speed limit | 70–150 KD | 1–3 years prison or 600–1,000 KD fine or both |
| Using a hand-held phone while driving | 75 KD | Up to 3 months prison or 150–300 KD fine or both |
| Driving without a license or with a suspended license | 75 KD | Up to 3 months prison or 150–300 KD fine or both |
| Not giving way to government vehicles or convoys | 75 KD | Up to 3 months prison or 150–300 KD fine or both |
| Driving or parking on pavements/pedestrian areas | 30 KD | Up to 1 month prison or 50–100 KD fine or both |
| Failure to wear seat belt | 30 KD | Up to 1 month prison or 50–100 KD fine or both |
| Driving below minimum speed limit on highways | 30 KD | Up to 1 month prison or 50–100 KD fine or both |
| Driving carelessly or inattentively | 75 KD | Up to 3 months prison or 150–300 KD fine or both |
| Driving a vehicle that emits loud noise | 75 KD | Up to 3 months prison or 150–300 KD fine or both |
| Accelerating with loud tire screeching | 75 KD | Up to 3 months prison or 150–300 KD fine or both |
| Allowing child under 10 to sit in front, unsecured, or left unattended | 50 KD | Up to 2 months prison or 100–200 KD fine or both |
| Not following road markings/signs | 50 KD | Up to 2 months prison or 100–200 KD fine or both |
| Illegal window tinting | 50 KD | Up to 2 months prison or 100–200 KD fine or both |
| Breach of home detention conditions | 50 KD | Up to 2 months prison or 100–200 KD fine or both |
| Driving without owner’s consent | 30 KD | Up to 1 month prison or 50–100 KD fine or both |
| Reckless weaving at high speed between vehicles | 30 KD | Up to 1 month prison or 50–100 KD fine or both |
| Pedestrian/cyclist traffic violations (incl. e-bikes) | 20 KD | Fine from 45–75 KD |
| Not carrying license/registration while driving | 20 KD | Fine from 45–75 KD |
| Obstructing or impeding traffic | 20 KD | Fine from 45–75 KD |
| No parking zone | 15 KD | Fine from 30–50 KD |
| Filming/sharing content during a crime using devices | 1,000–2,000 KD | Legal action under criminal law |
Conclusion
Kuwait’s newly updated traffic law represents a firm stance by the government to prioritise public safety and address growing concerns over reckless driving and traffic violations. Staying informed about these changes is essential and helps to prevent costly mistakes and contribute to a safer driving environment for all in Kuwait. Refer to the table above to familiarise yourself with the key offences and their consequences under the new law. And if you are a good citizen and follows all the traffic rules in Kuwait, you could even drive to Saudi to perform Umrah.
