The General Directorate of Traffic under the Ministry of Interior advised that owners must first clear all outstanding fines and pay impoundment storage fees before a vehicle can be released. Owners or their authorized agents need to present a civil identification card, proof of vehicle ownership and valid insurance documents when applying for retrieval at designated centers. The directorate noted that verification of compliance with all requirements precedes the handover at either the central impound facility or approved service points.
Ministry figures show that impound durations range from a few days to a maximum of 60 days depending on violation severity. The smart home impoundment system introduced this month permits eligible vehicles to serve their term at the owner’s residence through an installed electronic monitoring device. This option carries a 10-dinar installation fee plus two dinars per day of detention according to a ministerial decision issued in August 2026.
The directorate stated that serious infractions such as reckless driving, street gatherings or excessive exhaust noise do not qualify for home detention. Owners with vehicles already in the traditional lot may apply to shift to the home system if criteria are satisfied, with the period commencing at midnight on the installation day. Upon completion an automated notification arrives via the Sahl application directing the owner to a specified traffic site for device removal and final release.
According to the ministry any movement of a home-impounded vehicle is prohibited except in verified emergencies like fires or documented medical needs. Tampering with the state-owned device can lead to immediate transfer back to the conventional lot, additional penalties and possible prosecution for property damage. Officials indicated the initiative reduces strain on central facilities while upholding road safety standards.
Public Authority for Civil Information data places Kuwait’s expatriate population at more than 3.3 million, a group that constitutes the majority of vehicle operators and stands to benefit from streamlined retrieval processes. Earlier ministry operations identified over 87,000 vehicles tied to individuals with cancelled residencies or deceased owners, highlighting ongoing enforcement challenges. The directorate has repeatedly called on all motorists to observe traffic rules to prevent impoundment incidents.
For derelict or abandoned vehicles the Kuwait Municipality operates a parallel procedure that requires payment of towing fees starting at 30 dinars for a sedan plus one dinar daily for storage. Applicants must submit a civil ID copy and complete designated forms at municipality offices before collecting the vehicle from assigned yards. This mechanism addresses public hazards separately from traffic violation cases.
The ministry has incorporated many retrieval steps into the Sahl digital platform enabling online fine payments, status checks and updates that have substantially cut in-person visits to government offices. These digital tools form part of a wider e-governance drive that includes electronic vehicle ownership transfers launched last year. Drivers requiring clarification on individual cases can consult the official ministry website or designated traffic hotlines for assistance.
