Driving is not only a convenience to many expatriates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but it is a necessity. Public transport is very convenient in large cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but driving a car makes getting to work, sightseeing, and handling everyday chores much more convenient. In case you already have a foreign driving license, the good news is that you may not have to be a beginner in terms of driving lessons and exams. Rather, you can even qualify to transfer your current license to a UAE driving license.
In this blog, we will take you through the process step-by-step on how to convert your foreign driving license, the eligibility criteria, the required documentations, the expenses involved and tips that would enable you to have a smooth sail.
Who Can Transfer Their Foreign Driving License in the UAE
Not every foreign license qualifies easily to be converted. The UAE has a list of the approved countries where its citizens can freely swap their valid driving licenses without necessarily having to go through driving tests. These are the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, most of the countries in the European Union such as Germany, France and Italy and also all the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
When you happen to be a citizen of one of these countries and you have a driving license that has not expired yet, it is normally possible to convert it directly. Expatriates of nations not listed on the approved list are, however, on a different route. They might have to pass theory and practical driving exams in the UAE before being given a license so that they become conversant with the local road regulations and driving norms.
General Conversion Requirements
No matter which nationality you have, there are some minimum requirements that have to be provided. The qualification of applicants is age 18 years and above. They must also possess a valid residence visa to the emirate where they are applying with a valid Emirates ID. The foreign license under conversion must be also valid as expired and damaged licenses are not accepted. In other instances, a certified translation will be needed in the event that the license is not in English or Arabic.
The Process of Converting your License, Step-by-step
The initial one is to make sure your country is on the list of approved countries to be converted directly. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) site in Dubai or the traffic authority portals of other emirates have this information.
After the eligibility has been checked, the required documents are to be collected. They are your original foreign driver license, Emirates ID, copy of your passport and authentic residence visa and photographs in passport size. You are also required to go through an eye test at a RTA-approved optical center, this is a mandatory test to all applicants. The results of the test are automatically connected to the system of the traffic authority and this simplifies the process during the application. In case your license is neither in English nor Arabic, make sure that you obtain an official translation prior to filing your application.
Once you have prepared your documents and taken the eye test, then you can submit your application online using the digital systems of the RTA, or at an RTA Customer Happiness Center, driving institute, or any other authorized service centers. When you are submitting, your papers will be checked and you will need to pay the relevant fees.
What If Your Country is not on the List
The licenses of the applicants who are not in an approved country cannot be converted directly. They have to undergo the normal licensing process in UAE. This includes the enrolment in an RTA-approved driving school where one must fill the necessary papers, undergo theory and practical classes and finally take the necessary examinations, the theory examination, a parking examination, and a final road examination. The amount of lessons one has to take is based on the level of his or her driving experience and some experienced drivers can be taken through few lessons compared to absolute beginners.
Although the process is more expensive and time-consuming, it will guarantee each driver is well acquainted with the UAE road safety regulations and the local traffic conditions. It also allows the drivers an opportunity to get familiar with the local driving customs and road infrastructure before they are allowed full driving rights.
Tips for a Smooth Process
Before initiating the process, one should always ensure that they check the latest requirements because regulations are sometimes revised by the authorities. As the licenses must be valid and in a good state, the expired or damaged ones are not accepted. Making the eye test will save you time when you make your application, and it is best to also keep duplicate copies of all your documents to prevent needless delays. Lastly, it is also prudent to initiate the conversion process early-on, particularly when you are making use of an international driving permit in the meantime since such permits have a short lifespan.
Final Thoughts
It is a simple process of converting your foreign driving license into your uae driving license provided your country has been listed on the proposed list. It may take only one day to be done in the case of eligible expatriates. To the people who need to undergo further training and tests, it might take a longer process, but it would finally result in a safer road and a superior driving culture.
No matter why you are relocating to the UAE, be it to work, study, or even family, acquiring a local driving license will go a long way to ease life. It gives liberty to discover all that the country has to present, whether it is the urban excitement of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the breathtaking desert sceneries and the calming drives along the coast. Getting a license at an early stage of your stay will make you independent and at ease than when transitioning to life in UAE.
