How to exchange your country's driving licence for a UAE version

Abu Dhabi and Dubai have specific procedures

Learning to drive from scratch involves passing a theory course then at least 10 lessons lasting two-hours. You must pass a practical road test at the end to get your licence. Christopher Pike / The National

An instructor pictured at Emirates Driving Institute's Al Qusais campus. Rory's tip is to book your lessons for rush hour so you get used to the hectic roads. Christopher Pike / The National

Part of the learning process involves manoeuvers in a closed car park, followed by lessons on the roads. Leslie Pableo for The National

A masked instructor gives a student pointers. Going over the basics again and again is the key to passing the test. Leslie Pableo for The National

The whole process takes about two months, depending on how many attempts it takes to pass. Most driving schools offer fast-track courses. Leslie Pableo for The National

Taleb Mahmoud Ayub, head of operations at Emirates Driving Institute, talks to an instructor during a tour for The National. Leslie Pableo for The National

Residents can convert their driving licences through various online platforms in the UAE.

Some people who have a licence from another country need to pass a test in the UAE before being granted a licence.

For others, it is simply a case of converting their national driving licence to a UAE version.

The National breaks down the procedures involved in converting your licence in each of the emirates.

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Police this month said drivers should check if their licence is from an accredited country and is still valid before submitting a request to convert it.

“Through this smart service, individuals can request for the replacement of driving licences issued by specific foreign and Gulf countries with driving licences issued by UAE,” said Abu Dhabi Police in a tweet.

Licences from the following countries and regions can be converted into the UAE version: GCC countries, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Turkey, Poland, UK, US, Portugal, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, South Africa and Romania.

What do you need to apply for the service in the UAE?

The first step is to take an eye test at an optician accredited by Abu Dhabi Police. You will need a valid original foreign licence, a legal Arabic translation of the foreign licence — if it is not already in Arabic — a copy of your passport and Emirates ID, and two personal photos with a white background.

How to apply for the service

The person must be an Abu Dhabi resident to apply, which you can do online through Abu Dhabi government's Tamm website or use the Abu Dhabi Police website or application.

You can also visit one of Tamm's customer service centres or the Traffic Licensing Department at Abu Dhabi Police to apply in person.

The cost of converting a driving licence is Dh600 ($163). For enquires, contact Awnak at 8003333.

Dubai

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) offers driving licence exchanges through its website.

This service is available for citizens from the following countries and regions with licences from these countries: GCC countries, Lithuania, Portugal, Hungary, Bulgaria, Latvia, Serbia, Luxembourg, Estonia, Cyprus, Slovakia, Slovenia, Albania, Romania, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Finland, Spain, the Netherlands, Greece, Sweden, Belgium, Ireland, Turkey, Denmark, Austria, France, UK, Norway, Montenegro, Ukraine, Canada, US, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, China, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and South Africa.

For some countries, the service is open only to citizens. For example, a driver with a Portuguese licence must be from Portugal to exchange the licence.

Driving licences issued from these countries or territories cannot be replaced: Puerto Rico (US), North Mariana (US), Guam island (US), Liechtenstein (Switzerland) Monaco (France) and Jersey island (Britain).

What do you need to apply for the service in Dubai?

An original driving licence from one of the aforementioned countries, an eye test, your Emirates ID and a legal translation of the driving licence, if it is not in English or Arabic.

If residents have a visa issued in another emirate but the company where they work has a branch in Dubai, they can apply through the RTA after providing a letter from the company certifying that they work in Dubai, as well as a trade licence copy from the branches in Dubai and the other emirate.

How to apply for the service

Go to the RTA website to access the service. Specify the country and driving licence source, and attach a copy of it.

Once the application is submitted, a reference number will be issued for all follow-up actions or queries.

The applicant must visit the RTA customer happiness centre with an original driving licence to verify it. The licence will then be printed and given to the customer.

Singaporean residents need to submit the application through driving institutes and present the required documents to book an appointment for the knowledge test.

The cost of converting the driving licence is Dh870. For Singaporean licence holders, the cost is Dh1,070.

For enquiries, contact RTA-Dubai 8009090 from inside the UAE and [phone] from outside the UAE or email [e-mail]

Other emirates

Residents in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah can ask to convert their foreign licences through the Ministry of Interior website.

This service is available to licences issued in: GCC countries, Lithuania, Portugal, Hungary, Bulgaria, Latvia, Serbia, Luxembourg, Estonia, Cyprus, Slovakia, Slovenia, Albania, Romania, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Finland, Spain, the Netherlands, Greece, Sweden, Belgium, Ireland, Turkey, Denmark, Austria, France, UK, Norway, Montenegro, Ukraine, Canada, US, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, China, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and South Africa.

Applicants need to submit a legal translation of the foreign driving licence, as well as their Emirates ID and take an eye test before logging on to the ministry’s website for the service.

After paying Dh600, customers need to approach the traffic licensing department in the emirate and present the receipt to receive their UAE licence.

For enquiries, contact the ministry at 8005000.

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