How to get an International Driving Permit in Dubai in 2024

If you've recently become a UAE resident, you'll need to secure a UAE driving licence if you wish to drive legally.

Here are two ways to make this happen:

1. Take driving lessons in the UAE, and apply for a standalone UAE driving licence, or;

2. Convert your overseas driving licence into an international driving permit, recognised in the UAE. Your ability to exchange your driving licence into a UAE one will depend on your nationality and the country where the original licence was issued. The remainder of this guide will discuss your options in more detail.

Countries eligible for exchange

The UAE's Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) maintains a list of countries whose citizens are eligible to exchange their driving licences for an Emirati one on its website. These countries, called 'exception countries', include Australia, Canada, the majority of European countries, the USA, and Britain, among others.

To get started, access the RTA's service request form. Click the 'Service Details' tab and navigate to the bottom of the page for the list of 'exception countries'.

Countries ineligible for exchange

According to information published on the RTA's website, driving licences issued by the following territories are not eligible for exchange:

• G1 and G2 Canadian licences (Canada);

• Guam Island (USA);

• Jersey Island (Britain);

• Liechtenstein (Switzerland);

• Monaco (France);

• North Mariana (USA);

• Puerto Rico (USA).

Required documents

All applicants will need to provide the following documents:

• Electronic eye test result;

• Original Emirates ID card;

• Original driving licence. You may also need to provide a legalised translation of your driving licence unless it was written in English or Arabic.

Additional requirements apply to certain drivers:

• Holders of a Singaporean driving licence will also need to pass a Knowledge Test.

• Holders of a licence from an ‘exception country’ who aren’t nationals of an ‘exception country’ will need to pass a Knowledge Test and a road test. For example, this will apply if you hold a British driving licence but are an Indian national, as Britain is an ‘exception country’, but India isn’t.

• Holders of a diplomatic passport will need to show their diplomatic passport as well as a letter from the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs valid for at least 6 months from the date of submission. They may also show their diplomatic card in lieu of their Emirates ID.

Understanding the process

You may start this process online, through the RTA’s service request form. But it is mandatory to visit an eye test centre in person. You will subsequently be invited to a Customer Happiness Centre to exchange your driving licence against a UAE one.