If you are in the UAE and you wish to explore the region better then you need a private vehicle instead of using public transport which can waste so much of your time.
UAE is a place with a dynamic urban lifestyle, countless tourist destinations, as well as several major business hubs. So naturally, people from all over the world are drawn to this part of the world for entertainment and for work.
If you are in the UAE and you wish to explore the region better then you need a private vehicle instead of using public transport which can waste so much of your time.
But in order to drive your own vehicle or a car for rent you need to have a valid license in the UAE. Fortunately, there is a huge list of countries whose driving licenses are accepted by the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) of the UAE.
So, if you are not sure whether you can legally drive with your license in the UAE then keep on reading till the end because this is what this article is all about.
Driving in the UAE With a Driving License from Your Own Country
List Of Countries Whose Driving Licenses are Valid in the UAE
For Other Countries
Validity and Duration
Conversion of Your Driving License to a UAE License
Fee Associated with the Driving License Conversion
Driving in the UAE With a Driving License from Your Own Country
Tourists and short-term visitors in the UAE can drive with licenses from their own countries if they are included in the list of accepted countries. People from these countries do not need to obtain an International Driving License (IDL) or an International Driving Permit (IDP0) to drive legally in the region.
However, if your country is not on the list then you cannot drive with a license from your own country in the UAE. In this case, you will need to get an IDP before you start your scenic drive in Dubai, UAE.
An IDL or IDP is basically a translation or conversion of your driving license from your own country to Dubai or some other part of the world. These are essential for people who belong to countries whose driving licenses are not accepted by the UAE.
List Of Countries Whose Driving Licenses are Valid in the UAE
Following is the list of countries whose citizens can drive in the UAE without an IDP or having to go through license conversion.
Albania
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Belgium
Bulgaria
Canada
China
Cyprus
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Kuwait
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Montenegro
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Türkiye
United Kingdom
United States
Ukraine
If you are from one of these countries then congratulations because you can drive freely in the UAE with your own country’s license and a copy of your passport for added safety.
For Other Countries
If your country is not a part of the above list then we are afraid you will have to obtain an IDP before you can start driving in Dubai. The IDP along with your national driving license is the only requirement if your country is not included in the list.
Another option is where you convert your existing driving license to a UAE license by going through a simple process at the local RTA offices.
Validity and Duration
When driving in the UAE, simply having an IDP or a driver's license is not enough. You also need to pay attention to the validity as well as the duration of the driver's license acceptance.
Based on the country the license is from; foreign drivers are permitted to drive in Dubai with their license for a certain time period. Typically, the validity can range from a few months to one year. After this period, the drivers have to renew their licenses to avoid violations.
You also need to pay attention to the expiration date of your license since driving with an outdated license is considered a serious offense in the UAE.
Conversion of Your Driving License to a UAE License
If your license is not valid in the UAE then you will have to go through the conversion process which is a really simple and straightforward one. With this process, you can convert a license from your own country into an IDP or IDL which is valid in Dubai.
Here are the steps you need to follow in order to do this
First, you need to make sure that your country is not on the list of the nations whose licenses are valid in the UAE.
Then you need to arrange for the documents needed for completing the conversion process. Usually, these include,
Completely and accurately filed out IDL or IDP form
A copy of your original driver's license from your own country
A copy of your passport
Your passport-size photos
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