The Ministry of Interior issued Ministerial Resolution No. 893/2026 on July 5 2026 to regulate passenger transport and brokerage through electronic applications the resolution published in Kuwait al-Youm stipulates that companies must obtain prior authorisation from both the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Interior before commencing operations. Operators are required to maintain electronic logs of all trip data including routes times and passenger details while ensuring vehicles are equipped with functioning surveillance cameras that capture audio and video throughout each journey. The General Traffic Department holds responsibility for monitoring compliance and retains the authority to suspend or cancel licenses for any violations of the new provisions.
According to the resolution companies must secure dedicated licenses for both the platform operation and individual vehicles used in ride-hailing services with all data transmitted to relevant authorities upon request. Drivers must satisfy seven eligibility conditions that include Kuwaiti citizenship a minimum age of 21 years possession of an appropriate valid driving license and a clean traffic record free of serious violations. Vehicles deployed in the service must be no older than seven years air-conditioned and equipped with technical specifications that meet safety standards outlined by the traffic authority.
The resolution requires that camera recordings be retained for a minimum of 120 days with strict protocols governing access and data protection the ministry’s framework mandates that such footage serve regulatory oversight and dispute resolution while prohibiting unauthorised use. Companies face obligations to integrate real-time tracking systems that allow authorities to monitor active trips and driver performance across the network. Any breach of these data-handling or camera-installation rules can result in immediate license revocation according to the published text.
A MarkNtel Advisors assessment found the GCC ride-hailing service market stood at roughly 2.9 billion dollars in 2025 and is forecast to reach 3.3 billion dollars in 2026 before expanding to 7.1 billion dollars by 2032 at a compound annual growth rate of 13.65 percent. The Kuwaiti segment operates within this broader regional expansion as smartphone adoption and urban mobility demands continue to drive platform usage across the bloc. The new regulatory package arrives as operators seek to formalise services that have grown rapidly since the easing of pandemic restrictions.
Ministerial Resolution No. 893/2026 explicitly cancels the earlier Resolution No. 724/2020 that had governed the same sector the updated document consolidates licensing camera and data requirements into a single framework that emphasises passenger safety and operational transparency. The General Traffic Department will oversee implementation with periodic audits of company records and vehicle equipment. All existing operators must align their systems with the fresh stipulations to maintain legal standing under the revised rules.
