A simple checklist so you are ready the moment a driver job comes up: what to prepare, what to copy, and what never to hand over.
Driver jobs in the Gulf move fast. The drivers who get hired are often the ones who send a complete set of documents the same day. Use this checklist to be ready.
For applying
- CV (one page): your licence classes, vehicle types you've driven, years of experience, countries and languages
- Passport copy, valid for at least 2 years if possible
- Driving licence copy, front and back, showing all classes (light, heavy, bus, trailer)
- Recent passport photos with a white or blue background
- Experience letters from past employers, especially for heavy, trailer, tanker or bus driving
If you're already in the Gulf
- Your residence card (iqama, Emirates ID, QID, Civil ID or CPR)
- Your Gulf driving licence
- Information about your visa status (transferable, own visa, or cancelling)
For the visa process
- Signed offer letter or contract
- Wafid medical report (see our Wafid guide)
- Police clearance certificate, if your employer or the destination country asks for one
- Your country's emigration clearance or registration, for example eMigrate in India, the Protector of Emigrants in Pakistan, labour approval in Nepal, BMET in Bangladesh, or SLBFE in Sri Lanka
- Educational certificates if required (some countries attest them)
For licence conversion after arrival
- Original home licence
- Certified Arabic translation, if your licence isn't in Arabic or English
- Eye test or medical result
Licence steps differ by country. See our guides for Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.
Never hand over
- Your original passport before you have a written offer from a licensed agency or employer
- Bank passwords, OTP codes or card PINs
- Large cash payments without a receipt
Keep digital copies
Scan everything and keep copies in your email and on your phone. If documents are lost or taken, copies make replacing them much easier.
Ready? Browse the latest driver jobs.
Common questions
Do I need my driving licence translated?
If your licence isn't in Arabic or English, you'll need a certified translation for conversion in most Gulf countries.
What should my driver CV include?
List your licence classes, the vehicles you've driven (for example 'trailer, 12 years'), the countries and cities you know, and your languages.
Are experience letters really needed?
For heavy, trailer, tanker and bus jobs they help a lot. They should name the vehicle type and the dates.
How long should my passport be valid?
At least 6 months is required for most visas. 2 years or more avoids problems during a 2-year contract.
