A Lebanese driving licence is a

driving licence A driver's license, driving licence, or driving permit is a legal authorization, or the official document confirming such an authorization, for a specific individual to operate one or more types of motorized vehicles—such as motorcycles, car ...

issued by the government of

Lebanon Lebanon, officially the Republic of Lebanon, is a country in the Levant region of West Asia. Situated at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin and the Arabian Peninsula, it is bordered by Syria to the north and east, Israel to the south ...

. It authorises its holder to operate various types of

motor vehicle A motor vehicle, also known as a motorized vehicle, automotive vehicle, automobile, or road vehicle, is a self-propelled land vehicle, commonly wheeled, that does not operate on railway track, rails (such as trains or trams), does not fly (such ...

s on highways and some other publicly accessible roads. It is issued by each individual

district A district is a type of administrative division that in some countries is managed by the local government. Across the world, areas known as "districts" vary greatly in size, spanning regions or county, counties, several municipality, municip ...

(, ). 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.

International use

Lebanon allows non-residents to use regular licences issued by other states and countries. 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.

Types of licences

* 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 A vehicle for hire is a vehicle providing private transport or shared transport for a fee, in which passengers are generally free to choose their points or approximate points of origin and destination, unlike public transport, and which t ...

. 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

motorcycle A motorcycle (motorbike, bike; uni (if one-wheeled); trike (if three-wheeled); quad (if four-wheeled)) is a lightweight private 1-to-2 passenger personal motor vehicle Steering, steered by a Motorcycle handlebar, handlebar from a saddle-style ...

s only; frequently combined with a regular driving licence. * Enhanced licences establish nationality in addition to driving privileges. A Lebanese passport,

Lebanese identity card The Lebanese identity card (, ''bițāqat al-hawiya'') is a compulsory Identity document issued to Lebanese nationality law, citizens of the Republic of Lebanon by the police on behalf of the Lebanese Ministry of Interior and Municipalities (Leb ...

, 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.

Classes of 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 A moped ( ) is a type of small motorcycle, generally having a less stringent licensing requirement than full motorcycles or automobiles. Historically, the term exclusively meant a similar vehicle with both bicycle pedals and a motorcycle eng ...

tractor A tractor is an engineering vehicle specifically designed to deliver a high tractive effort (or torque) at slow speeds, for the purposes of hauling a Trailer (vehicle), trailer or machinery such as that used in agriculture, mining or constructio ...

and

all-terrain vehicle An all-terrain vehicle (ATV), also known as a light utility vehicle (LUV), a quad bike or quad (if it has four wheels), as defined by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), is a vehicle that travels on low-pressure tires, has a seat ...

s. 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:

Additional endorsements

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: * P: Passenger Transport (buses carrying 16 or more persons, vans for hire carrying 11 or more persons) * H: Hazardous Materials (requires a TSA background check as well as an extensive written exam. The driver must be a Lebanese Citizen or permanent lawful resident to obtain an H or X endorsement.) * M: Metal coil * N: Tank vehicles (required for carrying liquids in bulk) * T: Double/triple trailers (

road train A road train, also known as a land train or long combination vehicle (LCV) is a semi-trailer used to move road freight more efficiently than single-trailer semi-trailers. It consists of one semi-trailer or more connected together with or wit ...

s) (Class A licences only) * X: Hazardous materials and tank combination * L: Air brake (road vehicle) * S: School bus (in addition to a standard bus endorsement, more stringent TSA and Criminal Offender Record Information background checks are required)

CDL restrictions

CDL licences can be restricted through any of the following ways: * B: Corrective Lenses are required while operating a motor vehicle. * C: A mechanical aid is required to operate a commercial vehicle. * D: A prosthetic aid is required to operate a commercial vehicle. * E: The driver may only operate a commercial vehicle with an automatic transmission. * F: An outside mirror is required on the commercial vehicle. * G: The driver of a commercial vehicle is only allowed to operate during daylight hours. * K: Drivers are authorized to drive a commercial vehicle. * L: Drivers are restricted from operating a commercial vehicle with air brakes. This restriction is issued when a driver either fails the air brake component of the general knowledge test or performs the road skills test in a vehicle not equipped with air brakes. * M: CDL-A holders may operate CDL-B school buses only. * N: CDL-A and CDL-B holders may operate CDL-C school buses only. * O: Driver limited to pintail hook trailers only. * T: Sixty-day temporary licence. * Z: Alcohol Interlock Device required in the commercial vehicle.

Foreign officials and diplomats

In rare exceptions, Lebanon issues driving licences to foreign officials and diplomats.

Drivers licensing laws

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 Driver's education, also known as driver's ed, driving education, driver training, or driving lessons, is a formal class or program that prepares a new driver to obtain a learner's permit or driver's license. The formal class program may also p ...

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. 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

Driving licences issued in Lebanon have a unique number or

alphanumeric Alphanumericals or alphanumeric characters are any collection of number characters and letters in a certain language. Sometimes such characters may be mistaken one for the other. Merriam-Webster suggests that the term "alphanumeric" may often ...

code issued by the issuing city's Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent), usually show a

photograph A photograph (also known as a photo, or more generically referred to as an ''image'' or ''picture'') is an image created by light falling on a photosensitivity, photosensitive surface, usually photographic film or an electronic image sensor. Th ...

of the bearer, as well as a copy of his or her

signature A signature (; from , "to sign") is a depiction of someone's name, nickname, or even a simple "X" or other mark that a person writes on documents as a proof of identity and intent. Signatures are often, but not always, Handwriting, handwritt ...

, the

address An address is a collection of information, presented in a mostly fixed format, used to give the location of a building, apartment, or other structure or a plot of land, generally using border, political boundaries and street names as references, ...

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 The legal drinking age is the minimum age at which a person can legally consume alcoholic beverages. The minimum age alcohol can be legally consumed can be different from the age when it can be purchased in some countries. These laws vary betwe ...

is 18).

Obtaining a driving licence

The Lebanese driving licence can be obtained after finishing a

driving school ''Driving School'' is a docusoap and fly on the wall documentary that was broadcast on BBC1 in the summer of 1997, which followed a group of learner drivers around Bristol and South Wales. The series was made on a reduced budget but shown in p ...

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 Defensive driving describes the practice of anticipating dangerous situations, despite adverse conditions or the mistakes of others when operating a motor vehicle. It can be achieved by adhering to general guidelines, such as keeping a two- or ...

and

first aid First aid is the first and immediate assistance given to any person with a medical emergency, with care provided to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, or to promote recovery until medical services arrive. First aid is gener ...

. After attending the classes, students take a 30-question computerized theory test. Successful candidates need to score a minimum of 24 correct answers. The practical test can be done on manual or automatic cars, and will be indicated on the licence.

Document Requirements

* Lebanese identity card * Individual and family status records () whose date of issuance does not exceed three months * Criminal record status () * Proof of residence () * Two recent photos notarized by the relevant authorities (Size: 4.3 × 3.5 cm) * Medical certificate () * Blood type certificate

Non-driver identification cards

Non-driver identification cards are driving licences that provide identification for people who do not drive.

The New Lebanese Road Safety System (LRSS)

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)

References

{{Asia topic, Driving licence in

Transport in Lebanon