3,000 driving licenses issued to disabled to be withdrawn in Kuwait

KUWAIT CITY: Around 3,000 driving licenses issued to persons holding disability certificates have been placed under the administrative withdrawal clause, reports Al-Jarida daily quoting sources from the General Traffic Department in the Interior Ministry. Sources disclosed the General Traffic Department, in coordination with the Public Authority for Handicapped Affairs (PAHA), checks the driving licenses granted to people who have files in the authority and receive cash allowances for the private driver and the vehicle.

Sources clarified these licenses were placed under the administrative withdrawal clause upon renewal request based on the fact that it is not permissible to grant driving licenses to people with severe disabilities; but if their disability is minor and they are allowed to obtain a driving license, then there is no justification for receiving the driver’s allowance.

Sources stated that the General Traffic Department asked those covered by this administrative withdrawal clause to visit PAHA and present evidence that they do not receive allowances for the driver and vehicle of the disabled. On auditing the driving licenses, sources confirmed there have been contacts with the Psychiatric Hospital to identify people suffering from severe mental illness with the aim of withdrawing their licenses if they hold one or preventing them from obtaining licenses unless their mental health condition improves.