Before you start

A valid Iqama (residence permit) — you cannot start the licence process without it, so this comes after your residency is issued
Your original foreign driving licence, valid and not expired
An Absher account (the same MoI portal you use for most government services), with the app installed for booking
Confirmation that your licence's issuing country is on the General Department of Traffic (Muroor) approved list, if you want to skip the road test

Step-by-step

1
Confirm your country is on the approved list and get an Arabic translation
Check whether your home country is on Muroor's approved list (the US, UK, EU states, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and all GCC countries are on it; the list is roughly 47 countries and managed bilaterally, so it can change). Then have your foreign licence translated into Arabic by a certified translator — the traffic office will not accept the original alone.
In personWho: You (translation done at a licensed translation office)Same day to a few days for the translationTranslation roughly SAR 100+ (varies by office)
2
Do the Efada medical and eye test
Visit an Efada-approved medical centre for the mandatory health and vision check. They test your eyesight and colour vision and take a blood sample to record your blood group, which is printed on the licence. Results are pushed electronically to the Absher/Seha system, and you get an SMS when the report is ready — the traffic office reads it automatically.
In personWho: You (Efada/Seha-approved medical centre)About 1 hour; report appears in the system shortly afterRoughly SAR 115-250 depending on the centre
3
Book the 'Replace Foreign Driving Licence' appointment on Absher
In the Absher app go to Appointments > Traffic and choose the service to replace/convert a foreign licence. Pick a centre in Riyadh — men commonly use Dallah Driving School, women the Saudi Driving School at Princess Nourah University (PNU). Upload the front and back of your licence plus the Arabic translation, then pick a date. Slots (and the women's school) can have long waitlists, so book early.
Mobile appWho: You (via Absher)Booking is instant; appointment date may be days to weeks outAppointment/booking fee around SAR 50
4
Attend the traffic office, pay the fee and collect your Saudi licence
Go to your booked Muroor office or driving school with your Iqama, original foreign licence, the Arabic translation and passport photos. Approved-country holders are processed without a road test (you may still do a quick eye recheck); pay the licence fee via SADAD and the card is usually issued the same day. Non-approved-country holders instead take a short assessment and, if they pass, a reduced course (often ~6 hours) before testing.
In personWho: You (Muroor traffic office or Dallah/PNU driving school)Often same-day issuance once you attendLicence fee about SAR 80 (2 yrs) / 200 (5 yrs) / 400 (10 yrs)

Documents you’ll need

Valid Iqama (original)
Original foreign driving licence plus a certified Arabic translation
Efada medical report (eye test + blood type) — submitted electronically, not on paper
Passport / sponsor ID and passport-sized photos as requested

Things most newcomers don’t know

The 'approved country' shortcut is the whole game — it decides whether you skip the road test entirely or face an assessment plus lessons.

If your licence is from the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, NZ or a GCC state you convert with just paperwork, a medical and a fee. Drivers from non-approved countries do a quick assessment and a short course (often ~6 hours) before testing — far less than the 30-hour beginner programme but still extra time and cost.

Source: My Life in Saudi / Saudi Driving School guides

Your Iqama gates everything — sort residency first, then the licence.

You cannot even start a Saudi licence without a valid Iqama, and for expats the licence is effectively bound to it: when your residency renews or you re-enter on a new visa, you replace the licence against the new Iqama number. An expired Iqama blocks issuing and renewal.

Source: Absher service guide / Saudi Gazette

The blood-type test is not optional admin — it ends up printed on your licence.

The Efada medical takes a blood sample to record your blood group, which is shown on the card. It is bundled with the eye/colour-vision test, so you cannot skip the medical even as an experienced driver converting an existing licence.

Source: Life in Saudi Arabia / Efada guides

For women, the bottleneck is the school slot, not eligibility.

Women have driven legally since 24 June 2018 and convert on exactly the same terms as men. But women's conversion in Riyadh runs largely through the Saudi Driving School at Princess Nourah University (PNU), where waitlists can stretch to months — book the Absher appointment as early as possible.

Source: Saudi Driving School (PNU) / Blue Abaya

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming your country qualifies — the approved list is roughly 47 countries, managed bilaterally and subject to change. Verify on Absher/Muroor before booking, or you may be sent down the assessment-and-lessons route.
Turning up with only your original foreign licence. Without a certified Arabic translation the traffic office will not process the conversion.
Trying to start before your Iqama is issued (or with an expired one) — the system simply will not let you, and it also blocks renewals.
Letting the licence lapse or forgetting to re-link it to a new Iqama number after a residency renewal or visa change; you can be fined and your old card may no longer be valid.