Northern General Directorate of Traffic Driving Theory Test

A vision and colour-differentiation test is a prerequisite for the Learner's Licence and must be completed at a GDT-approved medical centre. The examination is typically brief (around 30 minutes or less) and same-day certificates are generally available. Applicants who wear glasses or contact lenses should bring them to the test; a condition requiring corrective lenses will be noted on the licence. If minimum vision standards are not met, a referral to an ophthalmologist may be required. The applicable fee and the list of approved medical centres should be confirmed with the General Directorate of Traffic.

The Bahrain driving theory test covers traffic laws, road signs, right-of-way rules, hazard perception, and general safe-driving principles as defined by Bahraini road law. Multiple sources report that the test consists of approximately 30 multiple-choice questions with a time limit of around 30 minutes and a pass mark of approximately 24 correct answers out of 30 (roughly 80%); these figures should be confirmed with your driving institute or the GDT, as test formats can change. The test is offered in both Arabic and English. Study materials and practice questions are provided by the driving institute during the mandatory theory lectures. Applicants who fail may retake the test after a mandatory waiting period; a fee applies for each attempt. Confirm the current retake waiting period and fee schedule with the General Directorate of Traffic.

The practical road test is conducted by an official examiner from the General Directorate of Traffic in a vehicle provided by the driving institute. The examiner assesses the applicant's ability to operate the vehicle safely and in compliance with Bahraini traffic law. The test typically includes: starting and moving off safely, use of mirrors and blind-spot checks, signalling and lane discipline, right-of-way compliance at junctions and roundabouts, speed management, parking (parallel and bay parking are commonly tested), reversing, and responding correctly to road signs. Commonly cited reasons for failure include inconsistent mirror checks, improper lane changes, failing to yield at roundabouts, excessive hesitation at junctions, stalling, and errors during parking exercises. A fee applies per attempt; confirm the current fee with the GDT. If the applicant fails, additional mandatory lessons are typically required before a retake, and a waiting period applies. Confirm the current retake rules with your institute and the General Directorate of Traffic.

Holders of valid driving licences issued by certain countries may be eligible to exchange their foreign licence for a Bahraini licence without completing the full training and test programme. The conversion route typically requires only a vision and colour-differentiation test rather than theory and road tests. Countries commonly cited as eligible for this conversion route include GCC states, members of the European Union, the United States, Canada, Australia, and others; however, the official approved-country list is maintained by the General Directorate of Traffic and is subject to change. Applicants must hold a valid CPR card and residence permit in Bahrain before applying for a conversion. The foreign licence must be valid (or have been valid at the time of application; rules on recently expired licences vary). Required documents typically include the original foreign licence and a notarised translation if it is not in Arabic or English, CPR card, passport, vision test certificate, and passport-sized photographs. A fee applies; sources have cited a combined total in the range of BHD 20 to BHD 30, but confirm the current fee with the General Directorate of Traffic. Applicants from countries not on the approved list must follow the full new-applicant process including lessons and both tests. Confirm your country's eligibility and the complete current document list with the General Directorate of Traffic before proceeding.

The General Directorate of Traffic provides online services through the Bahrain eGovernment portal at services.bahrain.bh (select General Directorate of Traffic services and then the relevant driving-school service). You can initiate a Learner's Licence application, search for certified driving instructors, and book road-test appointments through this portal using your eKey login. For in-person services, the main government driving school is located in A'Ali. Private GDT-approved driving institutes also operate across the governorates and may offer their own booking systems; contact your chosen institute directly for their enrolment and scheduling procedures. The GDT public enquiry line has been cited as 8000 8001; confirm contact details on the official MOI or Bahrain eGovernment portal before calling. Appointment availability for road tests can vary by season and demand, so book as early as your training progress allows.

Fees are subject to change and the figures below are indicative ranges drawn from publicly available sources as of 2025 and 2026. Confirm all current fees directly with the General Directorate of Traffic and your chosen driving institute before starting the process. Indicative ranges: vision/medical examination, approximately BHD 5; learner's licence issuance, a small administrative fee (confirm amount); theory test fee per attempt (confirm with institute); practical driving lessons, approximately BHD 6 to BHD 8 per hour (22 mandatory hours means lesson costs alone may reach the range of BHD 130 to BHD 175, subject to the number of hours taken); road test fee per attempt, approximately BHD 10; driving licence issuance, approximately BHD 20. The reported total for a first-time applicant who passes all tests on the first attempt and takes only the minimum required hours has been cited by various sources in the range of BHD 270 to BHD 330 or more, depending on the institute and any retakes. These are estimates only. Confirm the current requirements with the General Directorate of Traffic.

The end-to-end timeline for a first-time applicant varies considerably depending on appointment availability, how quickly mandatory lesson hours are completed, and whether any tests need to be retaken. As a general guide, applicants who take lessons consistently and pass all tests on the first attempt typically complete the process in approximately 2 to 4 months. Applicants who require retakes or who take lessons at a slower pace may take 4 to 6 months or longer. The Learner's Licence is valid for approximately one year and is renewable, so there is no fixed deadline within that window. Confirm the current timeline expectations with your driving institute and the General Directorate of Traffic.