What is the ruling on paying a sum of money in return for obtaining a driving license?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

It is not permissible to grant a driving license to someone who cannot drive well, even if he does not pay money in return for it. If he pays money, this will aggravate the sin all the more because such an act is considered bribery. Bribery is to pay money to take a false right or to waive a deserved right. In this case, money is paid to have a false and undeserved right.

The reason behind the prohibition of giving the driving license to an inexperienced driver is that such an act may encourage him to take the risk of driving among people. Hence, this will expose both souls and properties to destruction and damage.

Consequently, the matter under question is prohibited due to three reasons:

First: the license will encourage him to take the risk of driving without experience. Such an act will expose both souls and properties to destruction.

Second: such an act is considered a false testimony which is prohibited due to the betrayal of the trust which has been placed in the person who is responsible for the licenses.

Third: the money that is taken by the person responsible for issuing licenses in return for the fraudulent license is considered bribery. The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, cursed both the person who gives bribe and the one who takes it. [At-Tirmithi: Hasan Saheeh]

Allaah Knows best.