He also asserted that there has been an improvement in law enforcement, adding that public respect for the law has increased. He confirmed that the Ministry of Interior is ready to support companies, indicating the General Traffic Department (GTD) will introduce a system similar to those applied in other countries, under which a driving license will not be issued immediately. He pointed out that applicants must complete training hours and pass the tests before obtaining such a license. He stated that it is illogical for anyone to obtain a driver's license just because they know how to park or have basic driving abilities. He emphasized the importance of completing the specified training hours and passing the required examinations to qualify for a driving license. He cited the practice in Abu Dhabi, where the test requires 20 hours of training, and if the applicant fails, additional hours are imposed. He said the license is issued only after full mastery of all requirements — from traffic signs to proper driving skills. He added, “We are facing a problem with taxi drivers. They do not speak Arabic, they are unfamiliar with the roads, and they are unable to communicate with customers.”

He said the ministry refers any expatriate who commits a serious traffic violation for deportation, while emphasizing the need for companies to establish driving schools in their countries of origin to train drivers on Kuwaiti laws and traffic regulations before their arrival in Kuwait. He affirmed his interest in technology and his desire to use it in the same way as advanced countries. He pointed out that GTD has opened its doors to everyone and announced his readiness to meet with any company that has a new product it wishes to introduce to Kuwait. He added he is willing to meet with the managers of companies participating in the forum on the same day, even without an appointment.

On the other hand, GTD Director General Brigadier General Omar Al-Sari revealed that the department is currently working on the establishment of four academies for training and qualifying individuals prior to the issuance of a driving license. He explained that the objective of this training is to ensure the drivers’ competence, particularly those with limited driving experience, through accredited programs that require 20 training hours for those residing in Kuwait and 40 hours for those arriving from abroad. He said the training programs will include simplified educational materials designed to help trainees understand the road network in Kuwait, its traffic systems, traffic laws and regulations. He indicated that the proposed academies will be established in Sabahiya, South Khaitan, Capital Governorate and Jahra. He added that training will be conducted under the supervision of instructors who speak the trainees’ native language, ensuring accurate communication of information and enabling trainees to better understand the characteristics of Kuwaiti roads and comply with traffic laws.

He revealed that the training centers will undergo a comprehensive overhaul, with both training and testing being shifted to an external evaluation system that more accurately simulates real traffic conditions, using mechanisms similar to those adopted by the department in its official tests. He further stated that coordination is underway regarding the allocation of land for the ministry to establish the training academies, as well as regulating the companies that will operate the academies. He emphasized that this initiative aims to enhance the quality of driver training for citizens and expatriates who intend to obtain a driving license, focusing on raising driver standards and curbing hazardous driving behaviors. He added that the project includes specialized training programs for motorcycle riders and delivery drivers, offered through courses conducted in their native language in cooperation with the contracting companies. He said qualified instructors will be recruited from the trainees’ countries of origin to teach them Kuwait’s traffic laws and regulations before they begin work. Assistant Director General for Educational Affairs at GTD Brigadier Khaled Al-Adwani confirmed that the department is entering a new phase of comprehensive development, with all services expected to become fully electronic in the current and upcoming year.

Al-Adwani disclosed that the ministry will issue a tender this month for the establishment of driving academies, aimed at improving driving skills and enhancing road safety standards. He said the department is also preparing to launch the Uber and Careem applications, enabling citizens to register within two months, which will help streamline transportation procedures and traffic-related services. He indicated that the recommendations presented at the conference will be submitted to the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. He also confirmed the decline in the number of fatal traffic accidents, stating that deaths fell to just 193 in 2025.

He added that seatbelt compliance among drivers has now reached 100 percent. He said the forum aims to establish global applications, integrate citizens into these platforms, and position Kuwait as an attractive destination for investors and tourists. He went on to disclose that traffic safety objectives for 2035 include reducing traffic accidents by 50 percent, achieving international traffic safety benchmarks, lowering the death rate per 100,000 people, and implementing smart transportation systems to ensure the highest possible level of road safety. Mohammed Al-Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer of Jazz Events — the organizer of the forum — welcomed the participants to the inaugural National Forum for Transportation and Smart Services, which is being held in cooperation with the ministry, represented by GTD. He stated that the forum seeks to establish a national platform that brings together government entities and the private sector to create a sustainable framework for developing the delivery and light transportation sector. He asserted this will be achieved through improving road safety, modernizing legislation, adopting smart technologies, and building effective partnerships that enhance service quality and safeguard road users. Antonio Al-Asmar, Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Uber, welcomed Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, expressing his sincere thanks and appreciation for his patronage of the forum.