How Tos

Transfering A Foreign Driving Licence

The RTA allows licence holders of certain countries to transfer (or exchange) their valid licence to a UAE licence. Licences from the following countries are eligible for exchange:

  • 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
  • United Kingdom
  • USA
Some nationalities, such as drivers from Singapore, are required to provide either English or Arabic translations of their home country driving licences and may be required to pass a knowledge test.

Prerequisites

  • UAE resident
  • Aged 18 or older (if under 21, proof of parent’s permission required).
  • Driving licence from one of the countries listed above must be valid, or within one year of the date of expiry.
  • The applicant must be a citizen of the country the licence was registered in.
  • Driving licence holders from Greece, Canada, Japan and South Korea may require a translation of their driving licence from their respective consulates.

What to bring

  • Resident ID 
  • Passport with residence visa (copy and original)
  • Current driving licence (original and copy)
  • Eye test certificate, available at any RTA-approved optician in Dubai (Dhs.50-100)
  • NOC from your sponsor
  • Dhs.410 application fee

Procedure

  • RTA licensing centre
  • Collect the driving licence application form from any RTA office.
  • Take the documents to the counter and pay the required application fee.
  • Wait for your name to be called for your photograph to be taken.
  • Your licence will be ready within 5-10 minutes.

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