Driving in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is handy and liberating particularly to new stayers or foreign tourists. Nevertheless, there is the presence of strict driving laws in the country especially when it comes to using foreign driving licences and the International Driving Permits (IDPs). Proper Translation and conversion process is necessary to determine that you are legally allowed to drive. This blog is actually a perfect guide to assist you to go through that process confidently.
Why is Translation Important?
The regulations associated with driving in the UAE vary with the status of the individual i.e. as a tourist or resident. Their licence will be valid to those tourists who are willing to use their IDP in driving together with the licence of their home country whenever they are in the country. When you however receive your residency and Emirates ID then your international licence will cease to be valid with regard to driving. That is when it is compulsory to have a UAE driver licence.
And it is here that certified translation comes in. Your international licence should be translated in Arabic by a recognized translator and imported in the official systems of the UAE. This guarantees the corresponding authorities to identify your driving status and credentials and lowers the chances of legal inconveniences.
A failure to translate/convert licence within the specified time may cause penalties, which depend on the situation, including fines, impoundment of vehicles, etc. In addition to this, you may invalidate your car insurance when you use an unconverted and wrong translated licence to drive. It is not a mere courtesy that is why it is a necessity of the law.
Your Translation and Conversion Check List Step-by-Step
To make the process easier, the blog has prepared a basic 4 step guide, that explains all you need to do:
Step 1: The first thing to do is to have an eye test.
You will need to have a vision test at an authorized optician in the licensing authority responsible in your emirate, prior to commencing the process of conversion. Generally, they should be found at large optical chains where the results are put online electronically to the appropriate traffic authority. The price normally costs between AED 100-180 and it lasts a number of minutes.
Step 2: Translation of your Licence
In the following step, you have to translate your foreign licence into Arabic. A certified translation by a registered translator in the ministry of justice or sanctioned by Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) or the local road traffic departments will have to be done in this case. Correctness, officialness, and apt paperwork of the translation should be present. The majority of the translators also send your files to the licensing system in a digital form.
In order to accomplish this step, you will normally be required to present:
- An original version of your driving licence
- Your Emirates ID
- A photocopy of your passport
- A photo which is passport size
The average turn around time of the translation process is a few hours up to one business days and is dependent on the service provider and level of work load. Prices may be different, but usually, it is between AED 100 and AED 300.
Step 3: Apply for licence conversion
After having a successful eye test and translation of your eye test certification, it is time to take the licence conversion at the traffic department at your emirate. The application is most often done online or in-person. You will have to submit or upload:
- Your licence translated
- The results of eye tests
- Emirates ID
- Passport copy
- Page residency visa
The charges on the conversion process vary slightly with each emirate but you should be ready to part away AED 600 AED 850. This usually covers a licence issuance fee, administrative charges and in some occasion handbook fee.
Other important considerations include time, cost and also, pitfalls.
The question is how long does each and all take?
You can have the whole eye test to licence issuance within a period of one to three working days as long as you have fulfilled all legibility requirements and have deposited all the necessary documents. It is possible to have some delays provided you need a road or theory test, or you have incomplete document.
How Much Does it Cost?
This is how much you can anticipate spending:
- Eye test: 100AED to 180AED
- translation AED 100 to AED 300
- Issuance and application of a licence: AED 600 to AED 850
In sum, the process would usually range between AED 800 to AED 1300.
The mistakes to avoid Communities and societies are based on commonly used words and expressions, and each has its mistakes.
- By hiring an unconfirmed translator: Translation services have to be provided by certified service providers. Translations not made by themselves will not be accepted.
- The consequence of procrastinating once you receive Emirates ID: There is a risk of committing an offence by driving under the IDP on condition after obtaining residency, therefore, should be avoided.
- Supposing that you meet the qualifications requiring direct conversion: There is a misunderstanding about converting all licenses without tests. Make sure to consult the list of authorised countries.
- Failure to receive any traffic authority notifications: Be on the lookout of any SMS or emails to your application to avoid delays or cancellation.
Other Guide Lines and Suggestions
To drive legally in the UAE, one must have more than the licence of your homeland and an IDP. When you become a resident, you are supposed to obey locally observed road laws, and this requires you to possess a UAE licence. Correct translation is not just the matter of technical aspects and is the matter of legal guarantee, which preserves you against being able to land a fine, accident without insurance, or even being arrested.
If your nation is not in the list of automatic conversion you need nothing to worry as UAE has simplified the testing process to include the veterans of the road who are keen to take a simplified examination under the scheme popularly known as the Golden Chance applied in certain emirates.
Use this checklist to make your process of becoming a confident and legal driver in UAE smooth and easy. Safe travels!
