How to exchange your foreign driving licence for a Dubai licence
Find out the process, fees and eligible countries for RTA licence exchange
Dubai: For many expats moving to Dubai, one of the first things they want to sort out is getting behind the wheel. If you already hold a driving licence from certain authorised countries, you may not need to start the process from scratch. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) allows residents to exchange their existing licence for a Dubai driving licence, saving both time and effort.
This guide walks you through the documents, fees, process, terms, and conditions you need to know.
Required documents
For customers with a residence visa issued in Dubai:
Valid Emirates ID
Electronic eye test
Original driving licence issued in the exception country
For exchanging a Singapore driving licence:
Knowledge Test result
For customers with a licence from exception countries but their nationality is not from the listed countries:
Knowledge Test result
Road Test result
Fees
General licence exchange:
Dh200 – opening a file
Dh600 – issuing a licence
Dh50 – handbook manual
Dh140 to 180 – electronic eye test (at authorised Eye Test Centres)
Dh20 – Knowledge and Innovation fees
For Singaporean licence holders:
Dh200 – opening a training file
Dh100 – issuing a learning application
Dh50 – handbook manual
Dh400 – instant knowledge test
Dh300 – issuing the driving licence
Dh20 – Knowledge and Innovation fees
Where to apply
You can complete the process online through the RTA website or by visiting one of the following Customer Happiness Centres:
Umm Ramool
Al Manarah
Al Twar
Deira
Al Barsha
Al Kifaf
You may also apply through an RTA-accredited driving institute:
Al Ahli Driving Centre
Belhasa Driving Centre
Dubai Driving Centre
Dubai International Driving Centre (Drive Dubai)
Galadari Motor Driving Centre
Emirates Driving Institute
Emirates Transport Driving Institute
Excellence Driving Centre
Bin Yaber Driving Centre
Bin Yaber Driving Centre
Eco-Drive Driving Institute
Process
Through the RTA website:
Log in using Emirates ID, passport, or UAE Pass.
Enter the required information and upload documents based on your category.
Provide details of the existing licence and attach a copy.
Select the licence category.
Submit the application and receive a reference number to track it.
Complete the eye test at an RTA-accredited centre.
Bring your original licence to a Customer Happiness Centre for verification or withdrawal (based on nationality).
Receive an SMS to settle the fees.
Log in to your account → Licensing Services → Driving Licence.
Click Pay Now, select a delivery method, and settle the fees.
Receive your licence as a digital copy, with an option to get a physical copy through:
Self-service machines
Delivery services:
Standard delivery: Dh20
Same day delivery: Dh35
Delivery within 2 hours: Dh50
International delivery: Dh50
Through customer happiness centres:
Submit the required documents at the service centre.
Driving licence data is verified.
A traffic file is opened (if applying for the first time).
Pay the required fees at the centre.
Receive an electronic receipt by email and a text message with a link to download the transaction receipt.
The driving licence is printed and handed over to you.
Validity
1 year – for customers below the age of 21
2 years – for customers 21 years and above
Terms and conditions
The driving licence to be exchanged must be valid.
Eye tests are available at any optical store authorised by RTA, driving institutes, and Customer Happiness Centres.
If the driving licence does not include security signs, you must provide a certificate verifying its validity from the consulate or embassy of the issuing country.
Licences from the following regions cannot be replaced:
Puerto Rico (USA)
North Mariana (USA)
Guam island (USA)
Liechtenstein (Switzerland)
Monaco (France)
Jersey island (Britain)
Andorra (Spain)
If you submit a licence from one of the 20 exception countries after opening a training file in Dubai (because you hold a previous driving licence from an unauthorised country), you must present both:
A clearance certificate
A consulate or embassy certificate verifying the licence data
List of countries eligible for exchange in Dubai
According to RTA, the following countries are authorised for licence exchange:
Romania
Germany
Italy
Switzerland
Poland
Finland
Spain
Netherlands
Sweden
Belgium
Turkey
Denmark
Austria
France
Britain
Norway
United States of America
Japan
Hong Kong
South Africa
More countries are listed on the RTA website through this link- www.rta.ae/wps/portal/rta/ae/home/rta-services/service-details?serviceId=3704301
Additional rules:
Driving licences issued from GCC for GCC citizens must be valid upon replacement. Original licences are withdrawn.
GCC passport holders with a valid licence from their home country or one of the exception countries can exchange it in Dubai, regardless of Emirates ID place of issuance.
To exchange a Singapore driving licence, you must take a Knowledge Test at one of the driving institutes listed under “Where to Apply.”
For expats in Dubai, exchanging a foreign driving licence can be a straightforward process, provided your licence is from an authorised country and you meet the requirements. By preparing the necessary documents, completing the eye test, and paying the fees, you can receive a Dubai driving licence without going through the full training and testing process.
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