Here’s a breakdown of the information provided, organized for clarity:
Driving in the UAE with a Foreign License
Table of Contents
- Driving in the UAE with a Foreign License
- Who Can Drive in the UAE with a Foreign License?
- Conditions for Exchanging a Foreign Driving License in the UAE
- Conditions for License Exchange by Licensing Authorities
- Documents and Fees for exchange
- How to Apply for Exchange
- “Muroor Khous” Initiative Benefits
- Eligible Nationalities for License Recognition or Exchange (52 Countries)
This document outlines the rules and procedures for using and exchanging foreign driving licenses in the UAE.
Who Can Drive in the UAE with a Foreign License?
Visitors: Non-residents can drive in the UAE using their valid national license,provided they are in the country on a temporary,non-resident basis.
Residents: Expats with a UAE residency visa can exchange their foreign license for a UAE license under specific conditions.
Conditions for Exchanging a Foreign Driving License in the UAE
Expats wishing to convert their foreign licenses must meet the following criteria:
- eligible Country: The license must be issued by a country approved for exchange.
- Legal age: The applicant must meet the legal age requirement for driving in the UAE.
- Valid License: the foreign license must be valid.
- UAE Residency: The applicant must hold a UAE residency visa or have a verified residential, work, or study address in the issuing emirate.
- Eye Test: The applicant must pass an eye test.
- Surrender of Original License: in some cases, the original foreign license must be surrendered as per existing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
Licensing authorities can exchange foreign licenses if:
The license was issued by a country covered under a UAE Cabinet decision.
The exchange is governed by a bilateral agreement or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ministry of Interior.
Documents and Fees for exchange
To process the exchange, applicants need to submit:
A legally translated version of the original foreign license.
A copy of the original license.
A license exchange fee of AED 600.
How to Apply for Exchange
applications can be submitted online through the Ministry’s smart services platform, part of the “Muroor Khous” initiative. The new license will be issued either electronically or delivered via courier.
“Muroor Khous” Initiative Benefits
This initiative also allows:
Visitors to drive in the UAE using their national licenses and convert them upon gaining residency.
Emiratis to drive abroad and convert their UAE license in countries with reciprocal agreements.
Eligible Nationalities for License Recognition or Exchange (52 Countries)
Citizens from the following 52 countries can drive in the UAE using their national licenses during visits, or exchange them for a UAE license if they become residents:
Albania
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Belgium
Bulgaria
Canada
China
Croatia
Cyprus
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Kosovo
Kyrgyz Republic
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Montenegro
Netherlands
New Zealand
North Macedonia
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
texas (USA)
Turkey
Ukraine
UK
USA
* Uzbekistan
Note: South Korean citizens may only exchange their licenses after becoming UAE residents.