Driving licence in Lebanon

In the Republic of Lebanon, a driver's license is the official document which authorises its holder to operate various types of motor vehicles on highways and some other roads to which the public have access and are issued by each individual canton (Arabic: قضاء‎, Kadaa).

In domestic non-electronic identification the driving licence has remained in a leading position, since most of the population have to have a licence anyway, and a driving licence is valid for almost every situation where non-electronic personal identification is needed even though they are not officially recognized as such.

International Use

The Republic of 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. The Republic of Lebanon bears the legal right suspend an individual's driving privilege within its borders for traffic violations.

Visitors to the Republic of Lebanon who hold overseas drivers 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 even simply convert their license to a full Lebanese drivers license for only $40 without any further tests (e.g. Jordan); until this time they may continue to drive on their foreign drivers licence provided it is either written in Arabic, French, or English, or they have an authorised translation available.

Types of licenses

Classes of Licences

The Lebanese driver licensing system is split into six classes of licence. Class 1 ("car licence") allows the driver to drive most cars, light vehicles, moped, tractor and all-terrain vehicles, while Class 6 ("motorcycle licence") allows the driver to ride a motorcycle. Classes 2, 3, 4, and 5 ("heavy vehicles licence") allow the driver to drive heavy vehicles of varying degrees according to the classes carried.

Classes 1 and 6 licences are able to be obtained on or after the driver's 17th birthday. Prior to 1 August 2011, the minimum age was 16 years, which means drivers born between 1 August 1995 and 31 July 1996 can hold a licence under 16 if they applied for it on or before 31 July 2011.

This table shows which vehicles can be driven while holding which class of licence:-

Vehicle Class 1
(Car)		 Class 2
(Medium Rigid)		 Class 3
(Medium Combination)		 Class 4
(Heavy Rigid)		 Class 5
(Heavy Combination)		 Class 6
(Motorcycle)
Car or light rigid vehicle Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Car or light rigid vehicle with trailer Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Moped Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Motorcycle No No No No No Yes
Tractor or farm machinery Up to 4500kg (all licences)
Up to 6000kg (full licence)
Up to 18,000kg if driven at 40km/h or less (restricted and full licence)		 Up to 18,000kg Up to 18,000kg Yes Yes No
Heavy rigid vehicle
(Weight > 3500 kg)		 Up to 4500kg (all licences)
up to 6000kg (full licence)		 Up to 18,000kg
Yes if vehicle has two or less axles		 Up to 18,000kg
Yes if vehicle has two or less axles		 Yes Yes No
Heavy rigid vehicle with light trailer
(Weight > 3500 kg, trailer weight ≤ 3500 kg)		 Up to 4500kg (all licences)
up to 6000kg (full licence)		 Up to 18,000kg vehicle Up to 18,000kg vehicle Yes Yes No
Heavy combination vehicle
(Weight > 3500 kg, trailer weight > 3500 kg)		 No Up to 12,000kg Up to 25,000kg Up to 12,000kg Yes No

Additional endorsements

Professional drivers are usually required to add endorsements to their Commercial Driver's License in order to drive certain types of vehicles that require additional training, such as those equipped with air brakes. The training and testing requirements are regulated by the Lebanese Department of Transportation. Endorsements are as follows:

CDL restrictions

CDL licenses can be restricted through any of the following ways:

Foreign officials and diplomats

In a rare exception, the Republic of Lebanon issues driver's licenses to foreign officials and diplomats. These driver licenses are equivalent to a regularly issued license.

Drivers licensing laws

The minimum age to obtain a restricted driver's license in the Republic of Lebanon is 17 years. However, 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 license.

According to law, the minimum age to operate a commercial vehicle is 21, as a result the minimum age to apply for an unrestricted commercial driver's license 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.

Use as identification and proof of age

Driver's licenses issued in the Republic of Lebanon has a 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 license, restrictions and/or endorsements (if any), the physical characteristics of the bearer (such as height, weight, hair color, and eye color), and birth date. No two driver's license numbers issued are alike. To be compliant with international standards, the orientation of a driver's license for persons under the age of 18 is vertical while a driver's license for those over the age of 18 is horizontal. Since the driver's license is often used as proof of a person's age, the difference in orientation makes it easy to determine that a person is legally allowed to purchase or consume alcohol (the drinking age in the Republic of Lebanon is 18).

Obtaining a Driver's Licence

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 are subjected to a theory test that consists of 26 questions and it is computerized, with successful candidates needing to score a minimum of 22 correct answers. The candidate is automatically eliminated if 5 wrong answers are given. For authenticity, during the 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, a practical test must be taken that lasts 25 minutes, during which time the candidate must prove that he/she is able to handle the vehicle properly and safely, that he/she can do all kind of manoeuvres including turns, parking, while respecting the law.

Document Requirements

Non-driver identification cards

Are driver's licenses that provide identification for people who do not drive.

The New Lebanese Road Safety System (LRSS)

This system applicable to Probationary and Competent Driving License. This system ensure

Road penalties associated with LRSS demerit point

See also

References