Official GDT process
Get Your First Driving Licence in Bahrain: Permits, Lessons and Tests
By Gaurav Agarwal ยท Checked 6 October 2026
To get your first Bahrain driving licence, open Driving School Services, request a learner licence with Standard eKey, pass the vision test, complete the required theory and practical training, book the practical test, then pay BHD 20 to issue the full licence after you pass.
01Check that you can start
The General Directorate of Traffic service is for Bahrain citizens and residents. For a private-car or motorcycle learner licence, the official minimum age is 18. A foreign resident needs a valid residence permit. You also need a valid Bahrain ID card, must clear applicable traffic fines and accidents, and must have no legal restriction that prevents the service.
If your ID has expired, check how to renew a Bahrain ID card before applying for the learner licence.
The learner application includes a vision test. The official conditions also require the applicant to be free from a physical or mental condition that prevents safe driving.
02Request the learner licence
- Open the official Driving School Services page.
- Choose Learner License Issuance Request.
- Sign in with Standard eKey.
- Choose the licence category and complete the eligibility questions.
- Pay the vision-test fee shown in the service.
- Attend the General Directorate of Traffic for the vision test when instructed.
- After passing, return to My Training Record and pay the applicable learner-licence fees.
03Complete theory and practical training
Use the same Driving School Services page to open the theoretical lecture, search for a driving instructor and view My Learning Record. Complete the training required for your licence category before trying to book the practical test.
- Open the theoretical lecture from the service page.
- Use Search for Driving Instructors to find an instructor.
- Agree lesson times directly through the available official process.
- Check your completed hours in My Learning Record.
The test-booking service will not accept an applicant who has not completed the required training hours. If the hours are missing, ask the instructor to check the training record before you pay for or change a test appointment.
04Book and take the practical driving test
Once your learner permit is valid and the training hours are complete, open the official driving test appointment service. Book a slot, pay the displayed fee and arrive 30 minutes before the appointment. Bring your valid ID card and make sure your educational or training record is complete.
The official page lists a BHD 10 to BHD 16 fee range, depending on the service and category. Online booking is described as immediate. An in-person request is listed as one working day.
If you only need help with the appointment screens, use the separate Bahrain driving test appointment guide.
05Pay for the full licence after you pass
After passing the practical test, return to Driving School Services, sign in with eKey and open My Training Record. Follow the issuance option and pay BHD 20 for the first full licence. The official service says the licence is valid for five years.
The electronic copy is issued immediately. A printed copy can take up to two working days when collected through GDT, or up to five working days through Bahrain Post.
06Fees and process time
| Stage | Official amount or timing |
|---|---|
| Learner licence | BHD 15 to 47 depending on licence category |
| Practical driving test | BHD 10 to 16 |
| First full licence | BHD 20, valid five years |
| Learner request in person | One working day |
| Online test booking | Immediate |
| Electronic full licence | Immediate after successful issuance and payment |
| Printed full licence | Up to two working days at GDT, or up to five through Bahrain Post |
These are the ranges and timings displayed by the official services on 6 October 2026. The amount shown to you can vary by licence category and selected service.
07Common problems and the fastest fix
The learner request is unavailable
Check that your Bahrain ID and residence permit are valid, clear any relevant fines or accidents, and confirm that no legal restriction applies. If eKey will not sign in, fix the eKey account before repeating the learner request.
Your training hours are missing
Ask the instructor to verify the completed hours in the official training record. The practical test requires the training hours to be complete.
You need to change the test appointment
Use the same driving test appointment service to manage the booking. Do this before the appointment rather than creating overlapping bookings.
You already have a licence
This guide covers a first Bahrain licence. Use the driving licence renewal guide for renewal, or the international driving licence guide for an international permit.