I would like to ask you about my driving license.

I got my driving license in January 2015 and I came to the country on a driver’s visa. After some time I got a job in a multinational company. They changed my job status on my residence to “distributor”. My license will expire in 2 months.

My question is this: Can I renew my license?

Name withheld

Answer: No, you will not be able to renew your driving license. The reason is simple. About two years ago, the Ministry of Interior issued a decision that expatriates who obtained driving licenses when their job status on their work permits was “driver” would have their licenses cancelled or would not be able to renew them if their status on the work permits changed. “Drivers” was one of the four categories which came under the hammer.

The others being students, housewives and mandoubs (company representatives).

So, if expatriates from any of these four categories has obtained a driving license because these categories were mentioned on their work permits, they stand to lose their licenses once these categories are changed.