Source:  arabtimesonline.com

KUWAIT: There have been varied reactions following the Interior Ministry’s decision to implement a new fee structure whereby expatriates have to pay KD 500 for the first issuance of driver licenses and KD 50 for each subsequent renewal. 

Furthermore, they will charge KD 300 for the issuance of the vehicle registration book and KD 100 as annual fees for renewal.

Majority of the expatriates are against the decision, claiming that it indicates a distinct racial discrimination between the citizens and expatriates by the government. Furthermore, it also casts a heavy burden on expatriates whose monthly incomes barely cover their needs.

They stressed that the decision to give up owning a vehicle should be taken voluntarily by expatriates and should not be forced upon them through such exaggerated terms, adding that the country should provide humane and practical alternatives especially considering the high temperatures and unpredictable weather of the country.

They added that such difficult terms hinder many of the expatriates to reach work on time especially when they are unable to use public transportation. Women and children will experience more difficulty than men when it comes to commuting by public transportation due to the conditions of public vehicles and their unavailability in residential areas.

On the other hand, the expatriates who support the decision said it would reduce the traffic problems in the country through which several people experience many difficulties on road and often reach their workplaces late.

They claimed that it is not necessary for many expatriates to own cars especially when they can commute without one, adding that imposing such terms would solve the country’s traffic problems.
Mohammad Lutfi, a resident in Kuwait, said he would give up his vehicle only if the country provides better alternatives such as a metro system or other means that would help him to reach his workplace quicker than by road.

He also said he is obliged to use his car at every occasion, as he is unable to do anything without it, adding that the density of the population in the country causes the traffic problem.

He emphasized that imposing such terms on expatriates would negatively affect the wheel of development in the country because it would force an expatriate to find lesser comfortable means to reach his workplace, which could tire him and hinder his ability to work hard at his job.

Meanwhile, a Kuwaiti citizen Marsi Abdul Wahid said he supports the decision to increase the fees of driver licenses and vehicles because in Kuwait, every person owns a vehicle even though they do not require one.

He stressed that some people buy very cheap cars that often break down in the middle of the roads and causes traffic jams and inconvenience to other road users.

He suggested expatriates with limited income to use public transportation to save money, adding that most public transportation have air conditioning systems and are comfortable.

Talal Amin, a Kuwaiti citizen, said the fees should not be more than KD 50, adding that expatriates with limited income would be affected even if the fee is KD 50 and at the same time, the country can benefit from the revenues obtained from it.
By: Najeh Bilal
Special to the Arab Times