The Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior has announced that under the new traffic regulations, fines for driving while wearing a niqab or burqa will range from 30 to 50 Kuwaiti dinars (Dh357).
A reconciliation order allows for a reduced fine of 15 dinars, with no imprisonment associated with the violation.
The ministry emphasized that the rule is intended to improve road safety, as wearing a niqab while driving could limit visibility and focus, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Authorities also cited a longstanding security issue: the difficulty in identifying drivers through surveillance cameras when their faces are covered.
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The ban on wearing the niqab or burqa while driving has been in place since 1984, according to the ministry’s statement on Monday. This clarification came in light of social media debates about whether the practice constitutes a traffic offense.
Officials elaborated that the measure was originally introduced for security purposes, as face coverings complicated driver identification. However, they noted that with the presence of female police officers today, verifying identities has become more practical and efficient.
