If you are a new resident in the UAE and hold a driving licence from your home country, you may be eligible to directly exchange your previous licence for a new UAE licence without having to undergo any driving classes or tests. As it is possible to exchange your license for a UAE one depending on the country where it was issued.
Here is everything you need to know about converting your existing driving license for a UAE driving licence, and how you can complete that process online.
If you have a driving license issued by a country approved by Dubai's Road and Transport Authority (RTA), you can exchange it for a UAE driving licence. Below is the list of the countries authorized by Dubai RTA:
GCC Countries
Albania
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Britain
Bulgaria
Canada
Cyprus
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Holland
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
New Zealand
Norway
People's Republic of China
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
The Republic of Montenegro
Turkey
United States of America
Estonia
Documents needed:
You must submit the following documents to RTA in order to apply for a driving license:
1. A driving license from a country that is approved.
2. An eye test.
3. An original, valid Emirates ID.
4. A legal translation of the license if it was not in English or Arabic.
Here are the steps to follow
1. Online application for the licence
-Click on the link: https://www.rta.ae/wps/portal/rta/ae/home/rta-services/service-details?serviceId=3704306 after that click on ‘Apply Now’.
-Select your driving licence origin country.
-Enter your licence category.
-Enter your licence issue date and expiry.
-You can choose yes or no if you have the original licence.
-Select nationality.
-Next step is to choose your driving category: light vehicle automatic, light vehicle manual, motorcycle or heavy vehicle.
-If you qualify for the licence, RTA will provide a list of documents you must provide.
-Below the screen, click on Apply Now.
-You will need to fill in your Emirates ID information.
-Enter your personal information, including full name, mobile number, date of birth, and address.
-You will need to upload a copy of your original driving license. In addition, you may be required to upload a translated copy of your driving license.
-Submit your application and pay fees via debit/credit card. Following that, you will receive a reference number, which you will need to complete the process.
2. The next step is to have an eye test
An eye test would be required, which you can get done at the RTA Customer Happiness Center.
Some of RTA Customer Happiness Center in Dubai
Al Baraha Customer Happiness Office
Al Yalayis Customer Happiness Center
Hatta Customer Happiness Office
General Directorate of Residency And Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, Al Jafiliya
Al Barsha Customer Happiness Center
Al Rashidiya Customer Happiness Center
Al Ghazal Customer Happiness Center
3. Get your license
The RTA customer happiness center will then issue you a token for the service. To the officer, you will need to provide your application reference number, your eye test result, as well as your home country driving license. Then your license will be issued.
Cost for Converting Driving Licence
-AED 200 File opening cost.
-AED 600 license issuing fee
-AED 50 handbook manual cost
-AED 20 Innovation and Knowledge fees.
For holders of Singaporean licences
-AED 200 to open a training file.
-AED 100 to issue a learning application.
-AED 50 handbook manual fees.
-AED 400 for an instant knowledge test.
-AED 400 to issue a driving license
-AED 20 for Knowledge and Innovation
For Converting your existing driving license into Abu Dhabi's driving licence
Abu Dhabi
The traffic and licensing department of the Abu Dhabi Police has approved driving licenses from 44 countries for direct application for UAE driving licenses.
Approved countries by Abu Dhabi Police:
GCC countries
Albania
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Canada
China
Cyprus
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Montenegro
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Portugal
Romania
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States
Documents needed:
You must submit the following documents to RTA in order to apply for a driving license:
1. Eye test conducted by an optical store accredited by Abu Dhabi Police's Traffic Licensing Department.
2. A valid and original foreign driving license.
3. Foreign license translated into Arabic by a legal translator.
4. Emirates ID.
5. A copy of your passport.
6. Two copies of personal photos.
Online license conversion in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi government's official online platform - tamm.abudhabi - allows you to replace your foreign driving licence for an UAE driving licence. The service is only available to Abu Dhabi residents.
1. Start your application online
-You must log in with your UAE PASS to access any service on tamm.abudhabi.
-Visit this link: https://bit.ly/3LKUQ7o and click on 'start'.
-Enter your driving license number and the country where your licence was issued.
-The next step is to upload the Arabic translation of your driving license.
-Then, pay the fees.
2. The next step is to have an eye test
After submitting the application, you must undergo an eye exam.
3. Get your license
You would then need to visit the traffic licensing department of Abu Dhabi Police, with your reference number from tamm.abudhabi. Your new UAE driving licence will then be issued by Abu Dhabi Police.
Cost for Converting Driving Licence
AED 100 for eye test
AED 600 for driving licence
Online license conversion in Northern Emirates
The Ministry of Interior (MOI) will replace your foreign driving licence if you live in one of the Northern Emirates - Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah.
Documents needed:
You must submit the following documents to RTA in order to apply for a driving license:
1. A legal translation of the foreign driving license
2. Emirates ID
3. An eye test
Online license conversion in Northern Emirates
1. Go to https://www.moi.gov.ae/en/eservices/replacement.foreign.license.322.aspx and click on 'start service'.
2. Log in with your UAE Pass.
3. Enter the country where the license was issued and the number of your driving license. Once you fill out the form, the system will let you know if you qualify for the exchange service.
4. The required documents should be uploaded.
5. You will be asked to enter your Emirate or region, your address, and your mobile number and then click the next button.
6. You can pay the fees online.
7. Afterwards, you must go to the traffic licensing department in your Emirate to present the receipt.
8. Then you will receive your driving license.
Cost for Converting Driving Licence
AED 600 for replacing a foreign driving licence.
AED 100 for the eye test.
Here we conclude our guide to converting licenses in UAE. Please let us know if you have any questions about this in the comment section. Feel free to let us know if anything is wrong.
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