Driving licence in Lebanon

Lebanon allows non-residents to use regular licences issued by other states and countries. In return, Lebanese driving licences are also valid in many other countries due to various international agreements and treaties. Lebanon bears the legal right to suspend an individual's driving privilege within its borders for traffic violations.

Lebanon's visitors who hold overseas driving licences may be required to take a driving test before they qualify for a full Lebanese licence. However, those from countries with similar road rules are only required to take a theory test (similar to the learner licence test) within a year of arrival or, for $40, convert their licence to a full Lebanese driving licence without any further tests (e.g. Jordan); until this time they may continue to drive on their foreign driving licence provided it is either written in Arabic, French, or English, or has an authorized translation available.

• Unrestricted licences are driving licences that most Lebanese drivers have in order to drive.
• Hardship licences for minors are driving licences that are restricted to drivers between 14 and 15 (sometimes up to 16) who need to drive to and from home and school because of serious hardships, e.g. the driver's family has financial or medical problems; the driver needs to get to work or school and has no other practical way of getting to work or school. A hardship licence for minors is distinct from hardship licences granted for drivers with revoked or suspended licences.
• Provisional licences are functionally the same as a driving licence, but are typically issued to new drivers under the age of 17, i.e. 15–16 years old.
• Chauffeur licences are functionally the same as a passenger car licence, but also allow its holder to drive a taxi, limo, or other livery vehicle for hire. In Lebanon, chauffeur licences are not considered commercial or professional driving licences, and (assuming the driver already holds a regular passenger licence) a road test is usually not required to convert it to a chauffeur licence, a short written exam on taxi-specific driving laws and/or a background check is required. This type of licence is typically, though not universally, called Class E.
• Motorcycle licences cover motorcycles only; frequently combined with a regular driving licence.
• Enhanced licences establish nationality in addition to driving privileges. A Lebanese passport, Lebanese identity card, or another document proving citizenship is required to apply for this type of licence. Motorcycle and commercial driving licences (see above and below) usually can also be issued as enhanced licences.

The Lebanese driver licensing system is split into six classes of licence. Class 1 ("car licence") permits its holder to drive most cars: light vehicles, moped, tractor and all-terrain vehicles. On the other hand, Class 6 ("motorcycle licence") allows its holder to ride motorcycles. Classes 2, 3, 4, and 5 ("heavy vehicles licence") allow their holders to drive heavy vehicles of varying degrees depending on the carried class.

Classes 1 and 6 licences are obtainable if the driver is 18 or older; the minimum age used to be 16 before 1 August 2011.

This table shows which licence is required to drive which vehicles:

In rare exceptions, Lebanon issues driving licences to foreign officials and diplomats. These licences are equivalent to regularly issued licences.

To obtain a restricted driving licence, one must be 18 or older. Drivers under 18 are usually required to attend a comprehensive driver's education program either at their high school or a professional driving school and take a certain number of behind-the-wheel lessons with a certified driving instructor before applying for a licence.

The minimum age to operate a commercial vehicle is 21, and the minimum age to apply for an unrestricted commercial driving licence is 21.

Driving a school bus also requires a CDL. However, the minimum age to drive a school bus is typically higher, usually 25. Professional drivers who are aged 18–20 typically cannot be licensed to drive tractor trailers, hazardous materials, or school buses.[1]

Driving licences issued in Lebanon have a unique number or alphanumeric code issued by the issuing city's Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent), usually show a photograph of the bearer, as well as a copy of his or her signature, the address of his or her primary residence, the type or class of licence, restrictions and/or endorsements (if any), the physical characteristics of the bearer (such as height, weight, hair colour, and eye colour), and birthdate. To be compliant with international standards, the orientation of a driving licence for persons under the age of 18 is vertical, while a driving licence for those 18 or older is horizontal. Since the driving licence is often used as proof of a person's age, the difference in orientation makes it easier to determine if a person is legally allowed to purchase or consume alcohol (Lebanon's legal drinking age is 18[2]).

The Lebanese driving licence can be obtained after finishing a driving school and passing a two-stage test, the theory test and practical tests.

A total of 45 hours of theory classes are required for all categories, these classes now covering the previously optional subjects such as the Lebanese traffic law, defensive driving and first aid. After attending the classes, students take a 30-question computerized theory test. Successful candidates need to score a minimum of 24 correct answers and have less than 5 wrong answers.

For authenticity, during the 30-question computerized examination, the candidate is photographed three times and these pictures are later used as evidence that the person present at the road test is the same person as the one who was present at the theory test. Finally, 20 hours of practical lessons must be taken, accompanied by an instructor from a certified driving school. After that, the candidate must take a 25-minute practical test, in which they must prove that, while respecting the law, they can handle the vehicle properly and safely, do all kind of manoeuvres including turns, and park.

This system is applicable to Probationary and Competent Driving Licences. This system ensures:

• i - To ensure of safety road guaranteed
• ii - Ensure driver discipline, responsible and tolerate with other road users

Road penalties associated with LRSS demerit point

• 15 points - Driving or control motor vehicle under alcohol or drug.
• 15 points - Driving dangerously
• 15 points - Driving without tolerate
• 15 points - Racing on road
• 15 points - Refuse to take breath, urine or blood test without any reason
• 10 Points - Failed to follow traffic light
• 10 points - Failed to display P plate
• 10 points - Exceeding road speed over 40 km/h
• 8 points - Exceeding road speed over 26–40 km/h
• 8 points - Fail to give priority to ambulance, firefighter, police, custom, or Road Transportation Department car (with siren)
• 8 points - Fail to stop at junction
• 5 points - Ignore traffic sign or regulation
• 5 points - Using exhausted tire
• 5 points - Fail to bring driving licence (probationary)

• Constitution of Lebanon
• Foreign relations of Lebanon
• History of Lebanon
• Lebanese diaspora
• Lebanese identity card
• Lebanese passport
• Politics of Lebanon
• Vehicle registration plates of Lebanon
• Visa policy of Lebanon
• Visa requirements for Lebanese citizens