UAE | Traffic and Transport
Crackdown on firms issuing fake international driving licences
Residents, irrespective of their nationalities, holding a valid UAE driving licence can apply for an international driving permit at Emirates Post outlets nationwide from July 10.
- By Sunita Menon, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 July 5, 2006
Dubai: Residents, irrespective of their nationalities, holding a valid UAE driving licence can apply for an international driving permit at Emirates Post outlets nationwide from July 10.
The move comes after several forged international driving licences, issued by private companies, surfaced.
International driving permit was established by the United Nations in 1949 to overcome difficulties faced by motorists travelling internationally. The licence is now accepted in 170 countries.
The Automobile and Touring Club for the UAE (ATCUAE) the only organisation authorised by the Federation Internationale de L'Autombile (FIA) to issue international driving licences and Emirates Post have joined forces to end the illegal trade in forged international driving permits.
The two organisations will also participate in an awareness campaign.
"People are buying forged international driving permits and using them. When motorists drive overseas they get themselves in serious trouble," said Mohammad Bin Sulayem, President of the ATCUAE and 14-times Middle East rally champion.
"If they [motorists] get involved in an accident, the fact that they are not carrying a legitimate permit means that their insurance is invalid, and that can be very costly," he said.
Bin Sulayem, however, denied that a large-scale fake licence racket was operating in the UAE.
He said the ATCUAE has been receiving letters from various European police departments and the Interpol about licences issued by unauthorised private companies in the UAE.
"We have shut down a number of companies involved in issuing fake international licences," said Bin Sulayem.
Many countries now allow visitors to use their domestic licences when travelling abroad, but this can lead to language problems.
An international driving permit has a number of advantages it is a proof that the holder has a valid driving licence in their own country. It is also printed in ten languages: English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, German, Arabic, Italian, Scandinavian languages and Portuguese.
"We do not intend to play the blame game by naming the companies that are involved in issuing forged international driving permits. All we intend to do is make people aware about how, where and why they should get a genuine permit," said Bin Sulayem.
"The genuine licence will carry a hologram that will differentiate it from a fake one," he said.
Abdullah Al Daboos, director general of Emirates Post, said the campaign is aimed to make people aware that buying a fake permit from the wrong source can get them into trouble.
"Our staff have been trained to handle all enquires on international driving permits," he said.
At a glance
How and where to apply
- Costs Dh140.
- It is issued by the ATCUAE and valid for one year.
- It will be made available at 82 Emirates Post outlets across the country.
- Applicants are required to submit the filled application form with two passport size photographs.
- Applicants are also required to bring their valid UAE driving licence, photocopy of their passport and vaild UAE residence visa.
- An International Driving Permit will be issued in "minutes".
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