Overview of Kuwait’s Latest Decree-Law (No. 5 of 2025)

Kuwait's Decree-Law No. 5 of 2025

In a significant move to reduce traffic violations and enhance road safety, the State of Kuwait has enacted Decree-Law No. 5 of 2025, introducing major amendments to the decades-old Traffic Law No. 67 of 1976. The changes, effective from April 22, 2025, bring a plethora of new penalties, processes, and technology-driven initiatives aimed at encouraging discipline on Kuwait's roads. This article summarizes the major provisions of the law and their implications for Kuwait residents, car owners, and road users.

1. Alternative Penalties and Community Service

Another key aspect of the new law is the jurisdiction of the judiciary in imposing community service in place of fines or imprisonment. Judges have the authority to compel violators to work up to a year, spending eight hours every day unpaid. The tasks will be suited to the violator's occupation or skills and may extend to mending any damage to public property.

2. Enlargement of Vehicle Impoundment Mechanisms

Although traditional vehicle impoundment continues to apply to 27 specific infractions, the law incorporates a new measure known as physical impoundment. Physical impoundment entails the fitting of tracking devices on vehicles and limiting their movement. Unauthorized tampering, movement, or loss of the tracking device may result in additional fines, and violators could be subject to full vehicle impoundment procedures.

3. Vehicle Ownership Limits and Institutional Controls

To minimize congestion and curb abuse of car registrations, the law permits the authorities to restrict the number of cars that a person can own. This restriction will not be imposed on private cars of Kuwaiti citizens, which indicates a compromise between regulation and freedom.

4. Artificial Intelligence in Traffic Law Enforcement

The most significant technological advance under the new law is the use of AI-powered cameras. These cameras monitor and pick up on infractions like:

1. Failure to use seatbelts
2. Driving while using mobile phones
3. Speeding
4. Children in front passenger seats

The system has 99% accuracy and is monitored by human reviewers. Violations are normally issued between 48 to 72 hours.

5. Disputing Violations and Access to Redress

Residents and citizens can now appeal traffic fines via the "Sahl" app or visiting the Violations Investigation Department. All complaints are verified with video, and officers carry body cameras for transparency. Genuine complaints could lead to cancellation of fines.

6. Stricter Fines for Frequent Offenses

The legislation strongly raises fines under different categories:

1. Racing a red light: KD 150 (increased from KD 50)
2. Reckless driving: KD 150 (increased from KD 30)
3. Parking in disabled parking areas: KD 150 (increased from KD 10)
4. Use of mobile phones: KD 75 (increased from KD 5)
5. Seatbelt offenses: KD 30 (increased from KD 10)

These high fines are intended to act as a strong deterrent to careless driving behavior.

7. Power to Arrest for Serious Offenses

The legislation provides traffic officers with the power to arrest offenders on the spot for some offenses, including:

1. Driving under the influence
2. Causing death or serious bodily harm
3. Taking part in unauthorized street racing
4. Exceeding the speed limit by over 50 km/h
5. Reckless driving and hit-and-run

This section is intended to address life-threatening activities and enhance the immediate responsibility of offenders.

8. Liability of Vehicle Owners

Vehicle owners are now liable for violations carried out with their vehicles. If the vehicle was not being driven by the owner when the offense took place, then it is their responsibility to determine the true driver. They can expect to receive their fines cumulatively if they fail to do this. In a widely quoted example, a woman was fined KD 30,000 when repeatedly her son's friends used her car to carry out violations.

Key Article Amendments

Various articles of the 1976 law have been amended, such as:

1. Article 6: Vehicle licensing and registration now depend on valid insurance.
2. Article 8: Requires proper license plates; removal or misuse is punishable.
3. Article 14: Places a limit on the number of cars for one person; provides guidelines on transport service tariffs.
4. Article 22: Driving instruction demands a valid learner's permit.
5. Article 24: First-time license holders who commit two serious offenses within one year will lose their license, with reapplication only after four months.
6. Article 33: Prescribes imprisonment and/or fines for a wide variety of offenses, ranging from parking on sidewalks to phone use and refusal to produce documents. Serious offenses incur 1–3 years' imprisonment and KD 600 to KD 1,000 fines.
7. Article 38: Deals with driving under the influence with penalties ranging from KD 1,000–3,000 fines, to five years' imprisonment for cases of injury or death.

9. Public Consultation and Regional Context

Prior to finalizing the law, the Ministry of Interior conducted public opinion surveys and received comments from legal and judicial authorities. Due to criticism regarding the harshness of the fines, authorities made a point to state that Kuwaiti penalties are still lower compared to other GCC nations, where traffic violations frequently have even tougher penalties.

10. Awareness Campaign and Implementation

Coinciding with the 2025 Unified Gulf Traffic Week, the Ministry launched an awareness campaign under the theme "Driving Without Accidents." The initiative focuses on reducing distracted driving, with mobile phone use identified as the leading cause of road accidents in Kuwait.

Conclusion

With the enforcement of Decree-Law No. 5 of 2025, Kuwait makes a decisive move toward stronger traffic enforcement, technological upgrade, and public accountability. The adoption of AI surveillance, increased penalties, and community service as an alternative punishment indicates a comprehensive strategy for enhancing road conduct. All motorists citizens and residents are encouraged to acquaint themselves with the new regulations before the law takes effect on April 22, 2025.