Gulf Country Introduces Traffic Fine for Niqabi Drivers

The Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior has announced that women wearing a niqab or burqa while driving will face fines ranging between 30 and 50 Kuwaiti dinars under the country’s revised traffic regulations.

The ministry clarified that the rule aims to enhance road safety, as face coverings can obstruct vision and reduce attentiveness, increasing the risk of accidents.

Authorities also highlighted security concerns, stating that drivers wearing niqabs are difficult to identify through surveillance cameras, making law enforcement and traffic monitoring more challenging.

The ministry further emphasized that Kuwait has prohibited wearing the niqab while driving since 1984, but the recent statement was issued in response to social media discussions questioning whether the practice constitutes a traffic violation.