Dubai: If you hold a valid driving licence from a GCC country, can you legally drive a vehicle in the UAE? This was the query raised by a Gulf News reader.
He asked: “I used to live in Oman and recently moved to the UAE. I have a Dubai residence visa and wanted to know the procedure to convert an Omani driving licence into a Dubai one. Do I have to take a road test? Can I not drive using my Omani licence in the UAE? My Omani driving licence is valid till 2023 and I would really appreciate it if you could explain the procedure that I need to follow.”
Getting a new driving licence in the UAE requires an applicant to take driving classes as well as theory and road tests. However, citizens of certain countries – including GCC countries – can convert their country’s driving licence into a UAE driving licence.
To understand the process for converting a driving licence from another country to a UAE licence, you need to look at the following factors:
• Was the licence issued by a country, which is included in the list of authorised states for the replacement of the driving licence?
• Are you a national of the country as well?
• Which emirate was your residence visa issued in?
List of authorised countries for the replacement of the driving licence
The list of countries, according to Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authroity (RTA), includes:
• GCC Countries
• Lithuania
• Portugal
• Hungary
• Bulgaria
• Latvia
• Serbia
• Luxembourg
• Iceland
• Estonia
• Cyprus
• Slovakia
• Malta
• Albania
• Romania
• Germany
• Italy
• Switzerland
• Poland
• Finland
• Spain
• Holland
• Greece
• Sweden
• Belgium
• Ireland
• Turkey
• Denmark
• Austria
• France
• Britain
• Norway
• The Republic of Montenegro
• United States of America
• Canada
• Japan
• South Korea
• Hong Kong
• People's Republic of China
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Singapore
• South Africa
How to convert your country’s driving licence to a UAE driving licence
If you wish to convert your driving licence from any of the countries listed above, you would need to provide the following documents:
• Original driving licence
• Electronic eye test
• Original valid Emirates ID
• Legalised translation of the licence, if it is not in English or Arabic
Visa issued by another emirate
If you are applying for the licence in Dubai, and your visa has been issued in another emirate, you would also need to provide the following additional documents:
• Trade licence copy of the employer’s both branches (Dubai and other Emirates)
• Letter from the company certifying that the customer works in Dubai.
Non-nationals holding driving licence from exempted countries
If your driving licence was issued by one of the countries within the exempted category, but your nationality is not from the listed countries, you would need to visit a driving institute in the UAE to clear the following tests:
• Knowledge test
• Driving test
• Yard test
The advantage of having a driving licence issued, then, is that applicants can directly take the road test, without the need to take driving classes.
Cost
Depending on the institute you contact, the cost can range anywhere between Dh2,300 to Dh2,500.
How long does the process take?
The applicant would need to apply for a theory test as well as a road test. How quickly you are able to get the licence would depend on the earliest date available, and provided you pass the test on the first try.
Can’t I drive in the UAE on an Omani driving licence?
While GCC driving licence holders can drive in the UAE using their licence when visiting the UAE on a tourist or visit visa, if you move to the UAE and become a residence visa holder, you would need to apply for a UAE driving licence.
