The UAE driving licence is a 10-year document (5 years if you are over 60). Once you have it, you can drive anywhere in the UAE and use it to exchange for licences in many other countries when you eventually leave.
Which Nationalities Can Exchange?
The RTA maintains an approved list of countries whose licences can be exchanged without a theory or road test. If your country is on the list, you simply submit documents and collect your UAE licence - usually the same day.
No Test Required
Test Required
Many other nationalities not listed above must complete full UAE driving training from scratch (theory + RTA road test). Check rta.ae for the current complete list.
Documents Required
Important: If your foreign licence is not in English or Arabic, you need an official translation. For UK, US, Australian, and most EU licences, English is accepted as-is.
Step-by-Step Process
Book an appointment
Use the RTA Dubai app or visit rta.ae. Appointments at Emirates Driving Institute (EDI), Galadari, or Belhasa are all valid. Walk-ins are possible but appointments are faster.
Arrive with all documents
Bring originals of everything above. If your foreign licence has expired, you cannot exchange it - you would need to apply via your home country or take a full UAE test.
Eye test on-site
A quick vision check is done at the centre. Takes 5 minutes. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them - the test records your corrected vision which will appear on your UAE licence.
Pay fees and submit
Documents reviewed, fees paid (see below). Your foreign licence is typically retained by the RTA - ensure you no longer need it before submitting.
Collect UAE licence
For eligible exchange countries, the licence is often issued the same day. Some cases take 1-2 working days. It arrives as a credit-card sized plastic card.
Costs
If You Need to Take the Test
If your nationality is not on the exchange list, you must complete UAE driving training. This involves theory lessons, a theory test, yard assessment, and road test. The full process typically takes 4-8 weeks and costs AED 3,000-5,000+ depending on the school and number of attempts.
Practical Tips
Don't let your foreign licence expire first
If your home country licence expires while you are in Dubai, you lose the right to exchange. Renew it remotely if needed before it lapses.
EDI (Emirates Driving Institute) is the most efficient
Of the three main RTA-approved schools, EDI in Al Qusais typically has the shortest queues for exchanges and the clearest process for non-Arabic speakers.
You keep driving legally on your foreign licence in the interim
You can drive in Dubai on a valid foreign licence for 6 months after your UAE residence is issued. After that, you legally need a UAE licence.
UAE licence accepted in many countries for re-exchange
When you leave Dubai, the UAE licence can often be exchanged in the UK, Canada, Australia, and others without another test. Keep this in mind - it is a transferable asset.
The list of eligible exchange countries is reviewed periodically by the UAE RTA. Verify your nationality's current status at rta.ae before attending. Information current as of early 2026.
