How to Convert Your International Driving License in Dubai 2025

Got a non-UAE driving license issued abroad? It might be eligible to get converted into a local driver's license in Dubai, here's how!

by Clarice Awa

How to convert another country's drivers license in Dubai

Got a driving license issued from your home country?

The good news is that the UAE has agreements with several countries, enabling expat residents to convert their driving licenses issued abroad into a UAE driver's license without having to retake a test.

In Dubai, the emirate's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) offers this service to foreign expats whose driver's licenses come from a select list of authorised countries only.

To legally drive in the UAE, the driver must be at least 18 years old (and aged 21+ to rent a car) and possess a valid UAE driver's permit.

We've compiled this handy guide covering the list of countries eligible to transfer their international permit to a UAE driver's license, including the step-by-step process and how much are the fees.

Countries eligible for direct driving license transfer in the UAE

If you have a valid driver's license issued from any of the countries below, then you are eligible to get a straightforward exchange for a UAE driving license.

Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Belgium
Bulgaria
Canada
China
Cyprus
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Holland
Hong Kong
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Kuwait
Lithuania
Malta
Montenegro
New Zealand
Norway
Oman
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
South Africa
South Korea
Singapore
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States of America

A few European countries will require a translation of driving licenses, and a few can convert their light vehicle and motorcycle licenses only. However, some foreign licenses from the above countries' list can be converted for all types of vehicles.

Additional exceptions by territory

Driving permits issued from these territories are not eligible for direct conversion to a UAE driver's license in Dubai:

Puerto Rico (USA)
North Mariana (USA)
Guam Island (USA)
Liechtenstein Island (Switzerland)
Monaco Island (France)
Jersey Island (UK)

How to exchange international driving license into a UAE driver's license?

Countries requiring additional information

Some countries' driving licenses may also require additional steps, such as providing either an English or Arabic translation of the non-UAE issued driving licenses, and may also be required to pass a knowledge test.

Holders of a Singaporean driver's license are required to apply for a UAE driving license through an accredited driving institute in the emirates.

Driving license holders from Canada, Greece, Poland, South Korea, or Turkey must provide a translation of their driver's license into Arabic through their country's consulate.

My country is not listed, what should I do?

If the country your driving license was issued in none of the countries mentioned above, then your driver's permit is not eligible to get converted into a UAE license.

You will need to re-sit a theory and practical driving test to get a new UAE driver's license.

List of documents required to convert international license into UAE driving license

What are the requirements to convert an international driver's license in Dubai?

Once you've confirmed that your driver's license is eligible for direct exchange to a UAE driving permit, read on for the full list of documents you'll need.

List of documents required for all applicants:

Photocopy of the original foreign/non-UAE driving license.
*If the original driver's license in neither in Arabic or English, a legal translated copy is required.
Original and valid Emirates ID.
Eye test report.

List of documents required for diplomatic passport holders:

Original diplomatic passport.
Photocopy of the original diplomatic passport.
Electronic eye test report.
An official letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with a validity of six months from the date it was submitted.
Official Diplomatic Cards for Embassies, Consulates and International Organisations.

How to exchange a foreign driving license in Dubai?

If your documents are ready, you can apply to swap an international driver's license in Dubai through the official RTA website or visiting any of the RTA Customer Happiness Centres in:

Al Barsha
Al Kifaf
Al Manarah
Al Twar
Deira
Hatta Tasjeel Centre.
Umm Ramool.

Here is the process detailed on how to convert a foreign driving licence to drive in Dubai:

Step-by-step guide on how to exchange a foreign driver's license to a Dubai permit:

Head to the official RTA website or RTA Customer Happiness Centre.
Submit all the required paperwork.
Wait for the official verification of the original driving license.
If it's your first time applying to swap a foreign license in the UAE, a new 'traffic file' will be opened for you.
Pay the fee.
Once the fee has been paid, you will receive an electronic receipt to your registered email address and phone number.
The new UAE driving license will then be printed and issued to the applicant.

How much are the fees to transfer an international driving license to a UAE driver's permit?

The total cost to convert an international driver's license to a Dubai driving license is about AED 870, and the breakdown of the fees are as follows:

AED 200 for opening a new 'traffic file'.
AED 600 fee to issue your new Dubai driving license.
AED 50 for traffic manual.
AED 20 for 'Knowledge and Innovation' fees.

How long will the Dubai driving license be valid for?

The RTA Dubai has set forth a policy that states the longevity of the driving licence. Once you convert foreign driving licence to Dubai, you will receive:

The validity of your Dubai driving license is based on your age, according to the RTA authorities.

1 year validity if the applicant is under 21 years old.
2 years validity if the applicant is aged 21+

For more information about swapping foreign driving licenses into a Dubai driver's licensed, please visit the RTA's official website: https://www.rta.ae/

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