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The first question when thinking about obtaining a driver’s license is: Have I reached the legal age? The short answer is that the minimum age for a private driver’s license, i.e. for driving a regular car, is 18 years.

But it’s not always that simple. Your birth date might be close to eighteen, and it might appear on your documents in both the Hijri and Gregorian calendars, with a difference of up to six months between the two. So you need to know which date matters and how to calculate it.

This article will explain the legal driving age, how to verify it using both the Hijri and Gregorian calendars, and what else you need besides age. You can also use an age calculator to find your age on any date, such as your driving test date.

What is the legal driving age in Saudi Arabia?

The minimum age for a private driving license in Saudi Arabia is 18 years.

This condition applies to both men and women. Women have been driving in Saudi Arabia since June 2018, under the same age requirements.

Other types of licenses, such as taxi, public transport, heavy vehicle, and motorcycle licenses, each have their own specific requirements. We will explain this in a later section.

The usual requirements for obtaining a driver’s license, other than age

Age is one of several requirements. Typical procedures include:

• Reaching the legal age at the time of application or test, as determined by the competent authority.
• A valid national identity card or residency permit.
• A medical examination including vision and physical fitness necessary for driving.
• Training at an accredited driving school.
• Passing the theoretical and practical tests.

Procedure details and fees may change from time to time. Therefore, consult the Absher services or the General Directorate of Traffic before you begin, and make sure of the current list.

Does the age requirement vary depending on the type of license?

Yes. The number 18 refers to a private driver’s license. For other licenses, the minimum age may vary and could be higher than 18 in some cases.

If you want a license to drive a taxi, bus, truck, or motorcycle, don’t assume the same age applies to you. Check the traffic law and its implementing regulations, or the Absher services, to find out the minimum age for each type.

When does the Islamic and Gregorian calendars matter?

In Saudi Arabia, birth dates on official documents are often listed in both the Hijri and Gregorian calendars. This is where the problem lies, as the Hijri year is approximately 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year.

This means you will turn eighteen according to the Islamic calendar before you turn eighteen according to the Gregorian calendar. The difference at this age is about six and a half months.

Therefore, before calculating your age, find out which calendar the relevant authority uses for the service you are applying to. Do not confuse the two calendars: if the requirement is 18 Hijri years, calculate according to the Hijri calendar; if it is the Gregorian calendar, calculate according to the Gregorian calendar.

How do you know if you have reached the legal driving age?

The method is easy:

Date you turn 18 = your date of birth + 18 years

Example: Someone born on November 20, 2008 will turn eighteen on November 20, 2026. After this date, they will be of age.

If you want to know your age on a specific date, such as the date of the test, subtract your birth date from that date:

Age on the specified date = Specific date − Date of birth

If the number of days is negative in the subtraction, take one month and add its days to the total. If the number of months is negative, take one year and add 12 months.

Examples of calculation

The following dates are hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only.

Example 1: He turned eighteen before the due date

A young man was born on November 20, 2008, and his due date is December 15, 2026.

• Years: 2026 − 2008 = 18
• Months: 12 − 11 = 1
• Days: 15 − 20 = −5, so we take a month: the months become 0 and the days 25

He is 18 years, 0 months, and 25 days old. He is over the legal age.

Example 2: He has not yet reached the age of eighteen.

A young man was born on January 20, 2009, and his due date is December 15, 2026.

• Years: 2026 − 2009 = 17
• Months: 12 − 1 = 11
• Days: 15 − 20 = −5, so we take a month: the months become 10 and the days 25

He is 17 years, 10 months, and 25 days old. He is one month and five days (approximately 36 days) away from turning 18.

Example 3: The difference between the Hijri and Gregorian calendars

A young man was born on the 1st of Sha’ban 1430 AH, corresponding to approximately July 23, 2009 AD.

• He will be 18 years old according to the Hijri calendar on the 1st of Sha’ban 1448 AH, which corresponds to approximately January 9, 2027 AD.
• He will turn 18 years old on July 23, 2027.

The difference between the two dates is approximately 196 days, or about six and a half months. For example, on January 1, 2027, he would be about 17 years and 11 months old according to the Islamic calendar, but 17 years and five months old according to the Gregorian calendar.

This is why it is important to check the approved calendar before judging your eligibility.

How do you use an age calculator to determine your eligibility to drive?

The age calculator eliminates the need for manual subtraction:

1. Choose the appropriate tab: “Gregorian” or “Hijri” according to your date of birth.
2. Enter your date of birth.
3. Activate the “Calculate age on a specific date” option , and enter the date of the test or application.
4. Click “Calculate my age”.

Your age on that date will be displayed in years, months, and days, along with its equivalent in another calendar. If you do not activate this option, the calculator will display your current age.

If you want to know when you will turn eighteen, enter a future date and try. Keep in mind that the Hijri dates in the calculator are based on the Umm al-Qura calendar, and the date on your document may sometimes differ by one day.

Can I apply a few days before I turn eighteen?

This depends on the competent authority: Do they require reaching the age when opening the application, when booking the test, or when the license is issued? Do not assume the answer.

Before you begin, check with Absher services or the General Directorate of Traffic. If your age is close to the test date, calculate your age for both the application date and the test date.

Common mistakes when calculating driving age

• Age is calculated in years only. Someone born in December 2008 will not be 18 in January 2026, even though the difference between the two years is 18.
• Mixing the Hijri and Gregorian calendars in the subtraction process itself.
• Assuming that 18 applies to all types of licenses, this number specifically refers to private driving.
• Relying on outdated information. Regulations and procedures may change, so refer to the official source.
• Rounding up the months. The difference between 17 years and 11 months and 18 years may be one day.

Driving before the legal age

Do not allow anyone under the legal driving age to drive, even if they are a skilled driver. This is a traffic violation, and the guardian may be held responsible. More importantly, incomplete training and experience endanger the driver and others.

Note to the Gulf States

The above applies to Saudi Arabia. In the other Gulf countries, each country sets its own legal age, license requirements, and types according to its regulations. Do not assume that Saudi requirements apply to you if you are applying in another country. Consult the relevant traffic authority in your country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the legal driving age in Saudi Arabia?

The minimum age for a private driving license is 18 years. Other types of licenses have their own requirements.

Do women drive under the same age requirements?

Yes. Women have been driving in Saudi Arabia since June 2018, and the age requirement for a private driver’s license is the same for both genders.

Is age calculated according to the Hijri or Gregorian calendar?

This depends on the calendar used by the relevant service provider. The difference can be up to six and a half months at age 18, so confirm this before applying.

How do I know when I will turn 18?

Add 18 years to your birth date, or use an age calculator and enter a future date to see your age at that time.

Can I apply a few days before I turn 18?

This depends on the current application requirements. Check your Absher or traffic department account, and calculate your age at the time of application and test.

Is 18 years old the minimum age for all types of licenses?

No. This limit applies to private driving licenses. Taxi, public transport, heavy vehicles, and motorcycles have different requirements; please refer to the traffic regulations.

What else do I need besides age to get a license?

You will typically need a valid ID or residency permit, a medical examination, training at an authorized driving school, and passing the required tests. Check the current list on Absher.