How to Convert Your Foreign Driving Licence in the UAE: A Complete Guide

Who can convert their foreign driving licence in the UAE?

Foreign individuals with a valid driving licence from an eligible country can convert their foreign driving licence in the UAE without taking driving lessons or a driving test. The list of eligible countries includes GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) nations, some European, North American, and Asian countries. 

List of countries eligible for foreign driving licence conversion in the UAE

If you have a valid driving licence from any of the countries listed above, simply complete your eye examination, visit the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai or the Department of Transport in your emirate, and pay the required fee to receive your UAE driving licence. 

But, if your driving licence was issued by a country not on this list, you must apply for a new UAE driving licence and complete the theory and road tests. Check out this full list of eligible countries before applying. 

Key considerations

• If your licence was issued in one of the approved countries but you’re not a citizen of that country, you may still be eligible to convert your foreign driving licence, but you’ll need to submit additional documentation like proof that you lived in the issuing country while holding the licence.
• Licences from countries like Japan, South Korea, Greece, Malta, Poland, and other non-English or non-Arabic speaking countries will require an official translation from a certified translator. 
• If you are applying for a residence visa or work permit in the uae, you must wait until your visa is fully issued before applying to convert your foreign driving licence. The residence visa is a key requirement for eligibility.
• Licences issued by a military or diplomatic authority, rather than a civilian licensing agency, may not be accepted for foreign driving licence conversion in the UAE. Always check with the RTA for guidance in such cases.
• If you’re presenting a duplicate licence (e.g., reissued due to loss), some emirates may request additional verification from the original licensing authority to confirm its authenticity.

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Converting a Foreign Driver’s Licence in the UK

Steps to convert a foreign driving licence in the UAE

If you’re eligible to convert your foreign driving licence in the UAE, it’s important to know that  the process differs slightly depending on your nationality, visa type, and the Emirate of residence. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Step 1: Check eligibility

Not all nationalities are allowed to convert their foreign driving licence directly. The UAE has agreements with over 50 countries, such as the GCC nations, and some European, North American, and Asian countries listed above for direct conversion. Additionally, you must; 

• Have a valid UAE residence visa
• Have a valid foreign driving licence which covers the type of vehicle you plan to drive in the UAE
• Be 17 years or older. 

If your licence was issued in a country not on the approved list, you’ll need to apply for a new licence and take driving tests. However, some Emirates offer the Golden Chance program, allowing a one-time attempt to pass the test without mandatory driving classes.

Step 2: Prepare required documents

The documents you’ll need to convert your foreign driving licence depend on your unique situation. However, you'll typically need the following:

• Original valid foreign driving licence from your home country.
• Official Arabic translation of your licence (if not in English or Arabic)
• Emirates ID (original and copy)
• Eye test results from an RTA-approved optical centre
• Two passport-size photographs
• Residency visa copy
• NOC (if required by your employer or visa sponsor)

For certain situations, such as:

• If you have a residence visa issued in another emirate (and you work in a company with a branch in Dubai), you’ll need: 
  • Valid Emirates ID
  • Electronic eye test
  • Trade licence copy of both branches (Dubai and other Emirate branches)
  • Original Driving Licence issued in the approved country
  • A letter from the company certifying that the customer works in the Dubai branch
     
• If you have a Singapore driving licence, you only need your knowledge test result. 
   
• For Diplomats:
  • Diplomatic passport + copy
  • Original driving licence
  • Electronic eye test
  • A letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs valid for at least 6 months from the date of submission
  • A diplomatic card for embassies, consulates, and international organisations instead of the Emirates ID.

If your foreign licence is not in Arabic or English, you’ll need to provide a certified legal translation in Dubai, which must be stamped and attested to be accepted by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) or relevant traffic department. 

Step 3: Get your eye test done

An eye test is mandatory for all licence applicants. You can complete this at any RTA-approved optical clinic such as Al Jaber, Yateem, or Grand Optics. The test checks your visual acuity and other key eye metrics and costs around AED 100–150. The results are submitted electronically to the RTA system.

Step 4: Visit the RTA or Apply Online

You can apply in person at the RTA in Dubai, Abu Dhabi Police - Drivers and Vehicles licensing Department in Abu Dhabi, or the Ministry of Interior offices in Sharjah and other emirates. Submit all documents and pay the applicable fee (usually between AED 400–900, depending on Emirates and service types). You can also complete this application online. 

Step 5: Receive your UAE driving licence

Once approved, you’ll receive your UAE licence on the same day in most cases, but the timeline can vary. If you intend to use it abroad, you may need to legalise your document in the UAE to make it valid for use. 

Cost of converting a foreign driving licence in the UAE

The cost of a foreign driving licence conversion in the UAE includes; 

• Translation and legalisation fees (if applicable): From $20 to $100 (AED 100 to AED 300), depending on the translation and service provider. Translayte offers certified translations accepted by UAE authorities for $25 (AED 92) with a 12-hour turnaround time. 
• Eye test fees: AED 100 to AED 180
• Application and issuance fees: From AED 400 to AED 800, depending on the Emirate and type of processing.

Converting a foreign driving licence in other Emirates

While the overall process of converting a foreign driving licence in the UAE is similar across all emirates, there are a few differences in the procedures and authorities in charge of it, depending on the emirate. 

Abu Dhabi

In Abu Dhabi, driving licence services are handled by the Abu Dhabi Police – Drivers and Vehicles licensing Department. To convert your foreign licence:

• Book an appointment via the TAMM platform or visit a nearby traffic licensing centre.
• Submit the required documents, including a certified translation if your licence is not in Arabic.
• Complete an eye test at a licensed optical centre.
• Pay the applicable fees (usually around AED 600–800).

Licences are issued the same day if all requirements are met.

Sharjah

In Sharjah, you’ll need to visit the Sharjah Driving Licensing Department, part of the Sharjah Police. The steps include:

• Submit your Emirates ID, original licence, passport copy, visa page, photographs, and eye test report.
• Provide an attested translation for non-English/Arabic licences.
• Pay the conversion fees (ranging between AED 700–1,000).

Some documentation may be verified more strictly, so ensure all translations and attestations are in order.

Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain, and other Northern Emirates

For these northern emirates, the process is handled by the Ministry of Interior (MOI) or local police departments. You can begin the process online through the MOI UAE app or website, or visit the traffic and licensing department in your city.

• You’ll still need to complete an eye test, pay the necessary fees, and provide translations where needed.
• Expect a similar fee range of AED 800–1,200.

Additional tips for converting your driving licence in the UAE

• The foreign driving licence in Dubai is valid for one year from the date of issuance. After this period, it will expire, and you’ll need to renew it if you plan to continue driving internationally.
• Once issued, your UAE driving licence is valid for 10 years for UAE citizens and 5 years for residents. Fines are placed on individuals who delay renewing their licences for more than one month. 
• In some cases (especially for European licences), you may be asked to surrender your original licence when converting to a UAE licence. This is usually returned to your home country’s licensing authority or marked as "not valid for use abroad.
• Licences from Singapore cannot be converted directly. If you hold a Singaporean driving licence, you must apply for a UAE driving licence and take the knowledge driving test. 

Recommended Reading

Converting a Foreign Driver’s licence in Singapore

The Golden Chance Initiative

The Golden Chance Initiative is a special programme introduced by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to make it easier for residents with a foreign driving licence to obtain a UAE driving licence without attending driving school.

Under this initiative, eligible residents can take the practical driving tests directly and skip the mandatory driving classes and theory tests. It's designed for people who already have driving experience and a licence from a country that’s not eligible for direct conversion. 

This is a one-time opportunity. Meaning, you can only go through this programme once. If you fail the test, you’ll have to go back to taking the driving lessons and tests from the RTA. But if you pass, you’ll receive your UAE driving licence, enabling you to legally drive in Dubai. 

Who is eligible?

You may qualify for the Golden Chance if:

• You hold a valid driving licence from a country where you cannot directly exchange your licence.
• You have a UAE residence visa
• Your foreign licence proves you have prior driving experience

This initiative offers a faster, more affordable path to a UAE driving licence for experienced drivers, especially those whose home country licences don’t qualify for a direct conversion

When do you need translation to convert a foreign driving licence in the UAE?

If your driving licence is from Japan, Hong Kong, China, Serbia, or any country where it's not in Arabic or English, you'll need to officially translate it into Arabic to convert it into a UAE driving licence.

This translation must be done by a legal translator approved by the UAE Ministry of Justice. Legal translation means the translator is certified to provide accurate Arabic translations for official use and includes their official stamp and signature.

In the UAE, all foreign documents that are not in Arabic or English and are needed for official purposes must go through this process. This requirement is based on Cabinet Resolution No. 7 of 2014, which states that only licensed translators are allowed to provide legal translations for use in the UAE.