Moving to Dubai opens one to many different experiences starting from experiencing the Dubai culture to driving in the city. One thing that bothers many new residents is regarding when they can transform their Overseas Driving Permit into a UAE Driving License. The process might appear quite complicated, yet when having the basic knowledge, it is in fact not that difficult to carry out. In this article, a list is provided that can guide you to follow the process to the end of success.
Understanding The Conversion Process
Did you have a driving license once in your home country and are now a resident of Dubai? There may be a possibility that you will not need to have a new driving license. On the contrary, you will be eligible to use your foreign license ideally without completing theoretical and practical exams in the whole licensing process.
Eligibility For Direct Conversion
The specified countries are the only ones in which you can get your foreign driving license exchanged with a Dubai one without taking tests.
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Canada
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Holland
- Hong Kong
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Kuwait
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Oman
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Saudi Arabia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Singapore
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- UK
- US
If your driving license is from a foreign country not listed above, then more procedures may be required, and you may have to take driving tests.
Requirements For Conversion
Exactly the logbook of your international driving permit into the UAE license can be acquired after you provide your following documents:
- Emirates ID: Your Emirates ID card is valid and it is for sure that it can be used for identification purposes in all cases.
- Original Driving License: Your current driving license from the country you come from or the country where you reside.
- Arabic Translation: A legal Arabic translation of your driving license.
- No Objection Certificate (NOC): A sponsor statement or certificate if you have had a sponsor during your study for your course (if any).
- Passport-sized Photos: The two photos that are passport size and are not older than the last three months must be photocopied.
- Completed Application Form: The form should be downloaded from the internet, or it is available from the customer service centers of the RTA.
- Eye Test Result: I had it done at RTA accredited eye test center and the print out was verified
Application Process
Online Application
- Visit the RTA Website: Access the RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) website. You can also use the UAE Pass for login.
- Navigate to Application Section: On the homepage, select ‘Apply for a New Driving Licence or a New Category Based on Exchanging Licence.’
- Update Contact Information: Enter your updated phone number.
- Verify Identity: Please input the OTP (One-Time Password) we have sent you via the text message on your phone.
- Specify License Issuing Country: State the country that issued you with the driving license.
- Enter License Details: Provide details of your existing license and upload a copy.
- Select License Category: Choose the appropriate license category.
- Submit Application: Once you have entered all of the information on this form, you can click to submit the application.
- Payment: Submit the requisite amount of the charges either through debit card or credit card.
- Reference Number: Once submitted, you will receive a reference number to track your application status.
In-Person Application
- Visit an RTA Customer Happiness Center: You can find these centers across Dubai. They are open from Monday to Thursday, 8 AM to 7:30 PM, and on Fridays from 8 AM to 12 PM.
- Submit Documents: Provide the required documents as listed above.
- Pay Fees: Settle all applicable fees at the center.
For Singaporean residents, the process is slightly different. You must apply through accredited driving institutes, open a traffic file, book a knowledge test, and complete the necessary steps at the driving institute.
Service Fees
Here’s a breakdown of the fees associated with converting your driving license to a UAE permit:
General Residents:
- Dh200: File opening with RTA
- Dh600: Issuance of the new Dubai license
- Dh50: Traffic manual
- Dh20 or more: Knowledge and Innovation fees
Singaporean Residents:
- Dh200: File opening with RTA
- Dh100: Learning application
- Dh50: Traffic handbook
- Dh400: Knowledge test
- Dh300: Issuance of the driving license
- Dh20 or more: Knowledge and Innovation fees
Claiming Your License
Once your application is processed, you need to visit an RTA customer happiness center with your original driving license and Emirates ID. After identity verification, your UAE driving license will be printed and handed to you.
If you have an Apple device, you can also receive your electronic license via the Apple Wallet through the RTA Dubai App.
License Validity
- For individuals 21 years and older: 21 years or older individuals have a two-year valid license from the time of registration.
- For individuals under 21 years: The license will be valid for one year.
Conclusion:
In the process of converting an international driving permit to a UAE driving license, the guide may initially come off pretty challenging; however, with the correct information, it’s actually quite simple. The guide will be all you need as it gives a general idea of the eligibility criteria, asked for documents, and step-by-step description of the application procedure.
In my view, the idea of the UAE giving this option to the expats is really very good. Nonetheless, readers should be aware of the fact that the necessary steps and standards to be adhered to may differ from particular situation to the other, and one has to make sure that the same is checked with the relevant authorities accordingly.
What do you envision as potential improvements which the UAE could facilitate to the expatriates making it as smooth as possible?
Read Also: UAE To Simplify Passport And ID Services To One Step