The Ministry of Interior has approved new amendments to the executive regulations of the Traffic Law, requiring those who wish to obtain a professional driver’s license to submit an extra security clearance “certificate.”
Pursuant to a decision issued by Interior Minister Mahmoud Tawfik, published on May 17, 2026, in Al-Waqa’i’ al-Misriyya, the daily supplement to the Official Gazette, a “security clearance” certificate has been added to the list of essential documents required for the issuance of professional licenses.
Applicants are required to undergo security background checks by the Traffic Police Investigation Unit to obtain professional , first, second, and third class licences, which are issued to public transportation, taxi, and large commercial vehicle drivers.
The certificate is designed to verify an applicant’s criminal record and confirm that they have no criminal convictions for specific categories of offense, including crimes of dishonesty or breach of trust, as well as possession, use, or trafficking of narcotics.
The certificate also requires that an applicant’s record be clear of any previous penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or for convictions of manslaughter or negligent injury caused by a road accident.
The amendment brings into effect restrictions already enshrined in the Traffic Law, which prohibit the issuance of professional licenses to those convicted of narcotics or dishonesty cases until three years have passed since the completion of a sentence or its expiration, or in cases where the sentence has been suspended.
As for crimes of manslaughter or causing injury by driving a vehicle, the law grants authorities the discretion to withhold a professional license from the convicted person for a period of three years from the date the sentence is served. If either of these crimes is repeated within three years of the first offense, the driver is barred from obtaining a license for an additional three years.
