Kuwait is bringing in a new Smart Home Vehicle Impoundment system for drivers, which includes the big Indian expat community, starting on September 6, 2026.
- Eligible cars stay at home instead of government yards
- Monitored using an electronic tracking device
- Installation fee is KD 10 and daily charge is KD 2
- Does not cancel original traffic fines
Starting September 6, 2026, eligible cars that need to be impounded do not have to go to government yards. Instead, they can be watched at the owner's chosen home location using an electronic device. This plan follows
Resolution No. 1090 of 2026 issued in August, as confirmed by the
General Traffic Department and the Ministry of Interior, and reported by the
Kuwait Times. The system has an
installation fee of KD 10 and a
daily charge of KD 2. Impoundment starts at midnight on the day the violation is recorded, giving the owner time to drive the vehicle to the approved home location. Drivers cannot use the car during this time; the vehicle must stay parked, and the device checks for compliance. This system does not cancel original traffic fines or penalties for the offense. Car owners who already have vehicles in government impound yards can ask to move the rest of their impoundment time to their home location, but this needs approval from the General Traffic Department and must meet certain rules.
The violations that qualify for this system include driving without valid number plates, missing valid registration or insurance, driving after licence withdrawal, reckless driving, and using an unsafe vehicle. There are
strict rules for the electronic device. Owners cannot move the vehicle, and they must not tamper with, damage, or block the monitoring device. Any problem with the device must be reported right away to the authorities. If someone damages it on purpose, they will have to pay the repair costs and face more legal action. When the impound time is over, owners get a message through the
Sahel government services app and must finish the official release steps at a set Traffic Department office. People driving company cars or rental vehicles need to talk to their employers or fleet managers because the rules for non-private vehicles might be different. Drivers should check their case status using official Ministry of Interior channels and the Sahel app instead of trusting unofficial news. Vehicle owners must keep all papers related to the device installation and case details.
