A Lebanese driving licence is a driving licence issued by the government of Lebanon. It authorises its holder to operate various types of motor vehicles on highways and some other publicly accessible roads. It is issued by each individual district (Arabic: قضاء, Kadaa).
As a domestic non-electronic identification, the driving licence has remained in a leading position, because 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.
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.
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:
| 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 4500 kg (all licences) Up to 6000 kg (full licence) Up to 18,000 kg if driven at 40 km/h or less (restricted and full licence) |
Up to 18,000 kg | Up to 18,000 kg | Yes | Yes | No |
| Heavy rigid vehicle (Weight > 3500 kg) |
Up to 4500 kg (all licences) up to 6000 kg (full licence) |
Up to 18,000 kg Yes if vehicle has two or fewer axles |
Up to 18,000 kg Yes if vehicle has two or fewer axles |
Yes | Yes | No |
| Heavy rigid vehicle with light trailer (Weight > 3500 kg, trailer weight ≤ 3500 kg) |
Up to 4500 kg (all licences) up to 6000 kg (full licence) |
Up to 18,000 kg vehicle | Up to 18,000 kg vehicle | Yes | Yes | No |
| Heavy combination vehicle (Weight > 3500 kg, trailer weight > 3500 kg) |
No | Up to 12,000 kg | Up to 25,000 kg | Up to 12,000 kg | Yes | No |
Professional drivers are usually required to add endorsements to their Commercial Driver's Licence 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 licences can be restricted through any of the following ways:
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.[contradictory]
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.
Non-driver identification cards are driving licences that provide identification for people who do not drive.
This system is applicable to Probationary and Competent Driving Licences. This system ensures:
Road penalties associated with LRSS demerit point
