Driving Licence Conversion in the UAE: Complete Guide for 2026

Key takeaways

• Only residents who hold a valid licence from any of the 60 countries on the RTA’s exchange list can exchange their driving licence. 

• The total cost of exchanging your licence is AED 1,050, which includes the eye test, plus a legalised translation, if required.

• You will receive your new UAE licence immediately, once your documents are approved. 

Who can convert a foreign driver's license in the UAE?

You can exchange your licence directly, without taking any theory or practical driving tests, if you meet all of these requirements; 

• You have a valid UAE residence permit and Emirates ID. Tourists or short-term visitors cannot exchange a licence. 

• You hold a valid foreign licence that has not expired

• You are 17 years and above, as required by the Federal Decree-Law

• Your licence was issued by a country on the RTA’s exchange list. 

UAE RTA exchange countries list

These 60 RTA exchange countries can exchange their licence without taking any tests. The “any nationality” column explains whether holders of any nationality can exchange their licence, or only its nationals. For example, a U.S. citizen holding a licence from Qatar. 

Restricted licences, such as Canadian G1 and G2 licences, and some New Zealand licences cannot be exchanged. 

Licences that cannot be directly exchanged

You cannot exchange driving licences from Guam, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and Andorra. Countries not on the RTA exchange list, such as Egypt or India, are not eligible for direct exchange. 

Singapore licence holders

Singapore holders have a separate route. You exchange through an RTA-approved driving institute after passing the RTA knowledge test. You also do not require translation. The exchange is for light vehicles and motorcycles, and you keep your original licence. The total exchange fee is AED 1,070. Read the RTA Singapore service portal for more information.

What happens if your licence is ineligible?

If your country is not on the approved list, you must apply for a new UAE licence through a registered driving institute. Open a traffic file with an RTA-approved driving institute, complete the theory and practical training, and pass the theory and road tests. 

Alternatively, if you have significant prior driving experience, you may be eligible for the Golden Chance Initiative. This program allows you to attempt the practical driving test without taking driving classes. It’s a one-time opportunity that can save you time and money. 

Documents required for a UAE licence exchange

All applicants with a Dubai residence visa;

• Valid Emirates ID

• Valid electronic eye test result

• Original, valid foreign driving licence

• Legalised Arabic translation

Other situations; 

• Residence visa from another emirate, if applying in Dubai: You will need to submit trade licence copies for the Dubai branch and the visa-issuing branch, and an employment verification letter confirming that you work at the Dubai branch.

• Diplomats: Diplomatic passport and copy, valid diplomatic card, and a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, valid for at least 6 months. 

• Licence without security features: Certificate of confirmation from the embassy or consulate verifying the licence data

• Turkish licence: Holders require a Driving Licence Data Certificate from the embassy or consulate, certified by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Note: If your residence visa is under personal sponsorship in another emirate, exchange your licence in that emirate instead. 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 the relevant traffic department. 

How to convert your foreign driving licence in the UAE

In Dubai, you can apply in person or online through the RTA. Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates use their own platforms;

Option 1: Apply in person in Dubai

Visit an RTA Customer Happiness Center (in Al Barsha, Al Kifaf, Al Manarah, Al Twar, Deira, or Umm Ramool) or the Hatta vehicle registration center. 

Next, follow these steps; 

• Take your eye test. You can do it on-site at an RTA-approved driving institute, and it costs around AED 100–150

• Submit your documents at the counter

• Wait while the staff verifies your information

• Open a traffic file if you do not already have one

• Pay the fees by cash or card

• Collect your UAE licence. You can also access it digitally in the RTA Dubai app under My Docs. 

Option 2: Apply online in Dubai

Before completing the online process, you still need to take the eyesight test physically and submit your original licence. Afterward, follow these steps; 

• Open the RTA exchange service and select Start Now.

• Log in with your Emirates ID, passport, or UAE Pass, and enter the OTP sent to your phone.

• Enter your personal details and upload your documents.

• Enter your foreign licence details and upload a copy, with its legalised translation if required.

• Submit the application and note the reference number.

• Take your eye test at an accredited centre. The result goes to the RTA electronically.

• Present your original licence at a Customer Happiness Centre.

• Pay the fees online when you receive the SMS. Select > Licensing Services > Driving Licence, then Pay Now.

• Receive your digital licence. Print it at a self-service machine or pay for delivery (AED 20 to AED 50).

Applying in Abu Dhabi?

Residents in Abu Dhabi can apply through the TAMM platform rather than the RTA portal. Log in to TAMM using your UAE Pass, search for "Replace Driving Licence Issued By Another Country," and submit your application. The system automatically checks your eligibility.

Applying in Other Emirates?

Residents of Sharjah and the northern emirates can begin the process through the Ministry of Interior (MOI) website or the MOI UAE smart app. You can register via the UAE Pass using your email address. 

How much does it cost to convert a foreign driving licence in the UAE?

Note: Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates do not publish a fee list in the same format. So check the final amount on TAMM or MOI before you pay.

What if your passport and licence are from different countries? 

Your nationality and the country that issued your licence are both important in determining your eligibility for exchange. These are the common cases based on RTA’s rules;

• Licence from a country that allows holders of any nationality to exchange: We’ve listed these countries in the table above. Nonetheless, holders of such licences can exchange them for a UAE licence. For example, an Indian national with a UK or US licence. 

• Licence from a country that allows only its nationals to exchange: You cannot exchange it directly unless you are a citizen of that country. For example, an Indian national with a Canadian licence must pass the knowledge and road tests through a driving institute.

• GCC passport holders: If your licence is from your own GCC country or a country that allows holders of any nationality to exchange, you can exchange it in Dubai, regardless of where your Emirates ID was issued. 

• Dual passport holders: If your residence visa is in a passport from a non-exchange country, you cannot exchange it. You must open a new traffic file and apply for a new licence. 

• UAE nationals: Emiratis can exchange licences issued by any country on the list

When do you need a certified Arabic translation?

The RTA requests translations by the licence’s issuing country, not only its language. That is why licences in English, such as Hong Kong licences, still need a legalised translation. 

You will require a legalised translation if your licence is from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, Estonia, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan.

For Greek and Turkish licences, RTA requires the translation or data certificate from the embassy or consulate, not from a private translator or agency. 

What makes a translation accepted in the UAE? 

In the UAE, a certified or legal translation is one produced by a translator licenced by the UAE Ministry of Justice. 

The translation must include the translator's official stamp, signature, and credentials. Machine translations, Google Translate outputs, and translations by uncertified individuals are not accepted by the RTA.

Translayte provides certified document translations accepted by the RTA and other UAE authorities, delivered in 24-48 hours. Simply upload your document, select Arabic or English as the target language, and order your translation. 

Get a certified Arabic translation quote.

Note: If you later need to use your UAE licence abroad, see our guide to legalising documents issued in the UAE.

Driving in the UAE as a visitor

Visitors on a visit visa with a valid licence from a GCC country or a country on the RTA list can drive light vehicles and motorcycles in Dubai without exchanging it. However, once you become a resident, you must exchange your licence for a UAE one. 

How long is your UAE driving licence valid for?

A UAE driving licence is valid for 1 year if you are younger than 21, and 2 years if you are 21 or older. This applies to newly issued licences for residents of all nationalities, including those converted from a foreign licence. 

Here is a full breakdown:

A few important points to note:

• Your converted UAE driving licence, once issued, is valid for 5 years for residents and 10 years for UAE citizens.

• Drivers under 21 years old can renew their licence only up to 1 month before its expiry date. The rules for drivers under 21 are much stricter.

• Drivers aged 21 and older can renew their licence up to one full year in advance. 

• Every driver gets a 30-day grace period with no fines when their licence expires. Once that grace period ends, you’ll have to pay a late fee of AED 10 per month, capped at AED 500. Also, driving on an expired licence during the grace period is not permitted. 

• If your licence has expired more than 10 years ago, you’ll have to pay additional fees and retake the road test before getting a new one. 

• You cannot renew your UAE driving licence while you have outstanding traffic fines. Clear any fines via the RTA website, the Dubai Drive App, or at any RTA service centre before applying for renewal.

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, bypassing 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, which will enable 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.

Converting your licence in other emirates

While the overall process of converting a foreign driving licence in the UAE is similar across all emirates, the procedures and authorities responsible for it vary by emirate. 

Here’s a quick glance;

Note: For all emirates, a certified Arabic translation of your licence is required if it is not in English or Arabic.

Sharjah

In Sharjah, you’ll need to visit the Sharjah Driving Licensing Department, part of the Sharjah Police. Translation and attestation requirements are enforced more strictly here, so ensure all documents are in order. You also have to pay fees ranging from AED 700–1,000.

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

For these northern emirates, the Ministry of Interior (MOI) or local police departments handle the process. You can start online through the MOI UAE app or website, or visit your city's traffic and licensing department. Expect a similar fee range of AED 800–1,200.

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