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Southern General Directorate of Traffic · Light vehicle

Southern General Directorate of Traffic Light Vehicle Theory Test

Free practice for the General Directorate of Traffic light vehicle theory (knowledge) test in Southern. Sit timed mock exams and topic tests with the answer and an explanation for every question, written from the public UAE traffic rules and standard GCC road signs. No signup, retake as often as you like.

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12

Practice tests

4

Mock exams

75%

Pass mark

26/35

General Directorate of Traffic

Authority

Southern

Full mock exams

Timed, in the real test style. Score against the 75% pass mark.

Timed mockLight vehicle

Bahrain Theory Mock Test 1

A full 30-question timed practice exam in the style of the official RTA light-vehicle theory test. Questions span road signs, traffic rules, right of way, safety and penalties. Aim for 23/30 (75%) to pass.

30 questions75% to pass30 min
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Timed mockLight vehicle

Bahrain Theory Mock Test 2

Second full mock exam covering all RTA theory topics. A different question selection to Mock Test 1 so you can keep practising without repetition.

30 questions75% to pass30 min
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Timed mockLight vehicle

Bahrain Theory Mock Test 3

Third full mock exam - another fresh set of 30 questions drawn from all topics. A great way to check your readiness before the real test.

30 questions75% to pass30 min
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Timed mockLight vehicle

Bahrain Theory Mock Test 4

Fourth and final full mock exam. Use this as your last confidence check - if you can pass all four mocks you are well prepared for the real thing.

30 questions75% to pass30 min
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How to prepare in three steps

1

Warm up by topic

Drill the core topics with instant feedback until each one feels easy.

2

Sit a timed mock

Run a full mock exam against the clock, with no feedback until the end, just like the real test.

3

Review and retake

Read the explanation for every miss, then retake until you clear the pass mark comfortably.

Licence process guide

How to get your Light vehicle driving licence in Southern, Bahrain

In Bahrain, first-time light-vehicle (private car) licences are administered by the General Directorate of Traffic (GDT), which sits within the Ministry of Interior. The standard new-applicant route involves registering at a GDT-approved driving institute, passing a vision test, completing theory lectures and a written test, accumulating mandatory practical driving hours, passing a road test conducted by a GDT examiner, and then collecting the issued licence. The process applies to Bahraini nationals and legal residents alike. Holders of licences from certain approved countries may follow a faster conversion route. All fees, timelines, and eligibility rules are subject to change; confirm the current requirements with the General Directorate of Traffic before beginning the process.

The step‑by‑step journey

  1. 1

    Enrol at a GDT-Approved Driving Institute

    Visit a driving institute authorised by the General Directorate of Traffic (the main government driving school is located in A'Ali) or use the eGovernment portal at services.bahrain.bh to begin an online application for a Learner's Licence. You will need your CPR (Central Population Registration) card, passport, and a valid residence permit if you are a non-Bahraini. Ensure that all outstanding traffic fines or violations linked to your CPR number are settled before applying, as unresolved fines can block the process. The institute will verify that you meet the minimum age requirement (typically 18 years for a private-car licence; confirm the current age rule with the GDT) and that there are no legal restrictions on your personal number.

  2. 2

    Undergo the Vision (Eye) Test

    A vision and colour-differentiation test is required before a Learner's Licence is issued. This is conducted at a GDT-approved medical centre. The examination is brief and same-day certificates are typically available. A fee applies for the medical examination; as a guide, sources have reported a figure in the range of BHD 5, but confirm the current fee with the GDT or the approved centre. Applicants who do not meet the minimum vision standard may need corrective lenses or may be referred to an ophthalmologist before proceeding.

  3. 3

    Obtain the Learner's Licence

    After the vision test is passed and documents are verified, the GDT issues a Learner's Licence (temporary driving licence). This licence authorises you to take lessons under the supervision of a certified instructor. It is valid for approximately one year and can be renewed if you have not yet completed the process within that period. You must hold the Learner's Licence throughout the training and testing stages.

  4. 4

    Attend Theory Lectures and Pass the Theory Test

    Registered applicants attend a series of theory lectures at the driving institute covering Bahraini traffic laws, road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe-driving practices. Study materials are provided by the institute. The written theory test is taken at the institute or a designated GDT facility. As reported by multiple sources, the test consists of approximately 30 multiple-choice questions to be completed within 30 minutes, with a reported pass mark of around 24 out of 30 (approximately 80%); however, confirm the current format and pass mark with the GDT or your institute, as these details may change. The test is available in Arabic and English. Applicants who do not pass may be permitted to retake the test after a waiting period; fees may apply for retakes.

  5. 5

    Complete Mandatory Practical Driving Lessons

    Once the theory test is passed, applicants must complete a set number of practical driving hours with a certified instructor. Multiple sources indicate a requirement of 22 hours of mandatory lessons; confirm the current minimum with your driving institute and the GDT, as this figure may be adjusted. Lessons are conducted in the institute's vehicles on training circuits and public roads. Additional hours beyond the minimum may be purchased if the instructor or applicant believes more practice is needed before the road test. Each lesson carries a fee; as a guide, sources have cited figures in the range of BHD 6 to BHD 8 per hour, but confirm current rates directly with your chosen institute.

  6. 6

    Sit the Road Test with a GDT Examiner

    After completing the required practical hours, the applicant is booked for a road test (practical driving test) conducted by an official GDT examiner, not the private instructor. The test typically includes manoeuvres such as parking, reversing, lane discipline, following road signs, and general road behaviour. Common reasons for failure include not checking mirrors consistently, improper lane changes, failure to give way correctly, stalling, and errors during parking exercises. A fee applies per attempt; sources have cited a figure in the range of BHD 10, but confirm the current fee with the GDT. If the applicant fails, a waiting period is required before retaking; additional lessons are usually recommended.

  7. 7

    Collect the Issued Driving Licence

    Upon passing the road test, the applicant pays the licence issuance fee and the full driving licence is produced. Sources have cited an issuance fee in the range of BHD 20, but confirm the current amount with the GDT. The standard private-car driving licence is valid for five years from the date of issuance. The licence can be collected from the GDT office or, in some cases, delivered through the eGovernment portal's service channels. Keep the licence on your person whenever driving.

Tips to pass

  • Settle all outstanding traffic fines and violations linked to your CPR number before applying; unpaid fines are a common cause of application delays.
  • Use the official GDT-approved practice theory questions available through your institute or reputable practice-test platforms to prepare for the written test, since the questions draw directly from Bahraini road law and sign standards.
  • Book your road test appointment as soon as you are eligible rather than waiting until the day your lessons end, as appointment slots can fill up and cause delays.
  • Bring corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses) to the vision test if you normally use them; the requirement will be noted on your licence and you will be legally required to wear them when driving.
  • If converting a foreign licence, verify your country's eligibility with the GDT before preparing documents, as the approved-country list is updated periodically and unofficial sources may be out of date.
  • During practical lessons, ask your instructor to replicate the exact route or circuit used in the road test if possible, as familiarity with the test environment reduces errors on the day.

This is a short version for the light vehicle class. Read the full Southern licence guide for documents, fees, booking and every stage in detail.

Passing the Southern General Directorate of Traffic Light vehicle theory test

This track prepares you for the standard car and light-vehicle licence with the General Directorate of Traffic in Southern. The theory test is 35 multiple-choice questions with a 75% pass mark, so you need 26 correct within about 30 minutes. Alongside the core road signs and rules, expect questions on urban driving, lane discipline, roundabouts and parking.

Warm up with the topic tests, then sit the 4 timed mock exams so the format feels familiar on the day. Every question is written from the public UAE traffic rules and standard GCC road signs, with the correct answer and a short explanation.

Other Southern vehicle tests

Getting a different licence class? Practise for another track in Southern.

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Light vehicle theory test FAQs

The General Directorate of Traffic light vehicle theory (knowledge) test has 35 multiple-choice questions and you need 26 correct to pass, which is 75%. You get about 30 minutes. Confirm the exact requirements for the light vehicle class with the General Directorate of Traffic, as they can change.

This track prepares you for the standard car and light-vehicle licence. It focuses on urban driving, lane discipline, roundabouts and parking, alongside the core road signs and rules that appear on every General Directorate of Traffic theory test.

There are 12 free practice tests for the Southern General Directorate of Traffic light vehicle track: 4 timed mock exams and 8 topic tests. Each has the correct answer and an explanation for every question.

Expect road signs and signals, right of way, roundabouts, lane discipline, speed limits, parking, and fines and penalties, plus urban driving, lane discipline, roundabouts and parking for the light vehicle class. Our questions are drawn from the public traffic rules and standard GCC road signs.

Fees for the light vehicle class are set by the General Directorate of Traffic and approved driving schools and can change, so we do not quote a fixed price. Usually you register with a driving school, complete the required lectures, then sit the theory test at an approved centre. Confirm the current fee and steps with the General Directorate of Traffic or your driving school.

Yes. Every Southern General Directorate of Traffic light vehicle mock exam and topic test is completely free, needs no account or signup, and you can retake it as many times as you like until you clear the 75% pass mark.

Passed the practice? Get the real licence sorted.

Wathim handles Southern driving-licence issuance, transfer and conversion for expats, end to end.

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