Exchanging a driving licence in the UAE: a guide for foreigners
With a residence visa you cannot drive on a foreign licence. Licences from 57 countries are exchanged without a test; everyone else gets one driving test under the Golden Chance scheme or full training.
| In short | |
|---|---|
| Tourist | a foreign licence with an international permit or from listed countries |
| Resident | a UAE licence only |
| No test | licences from 57 countries |
| Other countries | one driving test, Golden Chance |
| Exchange without test | $110-200 |
| Golden Chance | ~$600 |
The short answer: a tourist can drive in the UAE on a foreign licence, but a resident with a visa only on a local licence. Licences from 57 countries, including the Gulf states, most of Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia and Japan, are exchanged without a test. For other countries Dubai runs the Golden Chance scheme: one attempt at the driving test without compulsory lessons.
An exchange without a test costs $110-200, and the Golden Chance about $600. If the test is failed, the remaining option is full driving school training, which takes several times longer and costs several times more.
How long you can drive on a foreign licence in the UAE
Tourists drive on a foreign licence together with an international driving permit, and citizens of countries on the exchange list on their national licence. Once a residence visa is issued, you can no longer drive on a foreign licence: you need a UAE licence. A resident driving without a local licence faces a fine.
Who exchanges a licence without a test
Licences from the 57 countries on the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority list are exchanged without a test: five Gulf states, 38 European countries, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and some others. The licence must be valid, and for some countries the authority asks for a translation or confirmation from the issuing country.
Licences from non-listed countries
Many non-EU countries, Russia included, are not on the list for exchange without a test. Holders of such licences can use the Golden Chance scheme: without compulsory driving school lessons they open a training file, pass an eye test and take a single driving test. If they pass, the UAE licence is issued straight away; if not, they go through ordinary training with lessons and tests.
Documents for exchanging a licence
- a passport with a residence visa and a UAE identity card;
- the foreign licence, valid on the day you apply;
- a translation of the licence if the authority requires one for your country;
- an eye test at an authorised optician;
- a no-objection letter from your employer or sponsor if your visa type requires it.
How the exchange works: steps
- Take the eye test: the result is sent to the authority's system.
- Open a file at a driving school or an authority service centre.
- Apply for the exchange or, if your country is not on the list, book the Golden Chance test.
- Pay the fees and receive the UAE licence, usually the same day or after the test.
How much exchanging a licence costs in the UAE
An exchange without a test in Dubai costs $110-200 including opening the file and issuing the licence, and the eye test $40-50. The Golden Chance with the file, test and licence costs about $600. Amounts are at the fixed dirham-dollar rate. Full driving school training, if the Golden Chance fails, costs several times more.
An exchange from $110, the Golden Chance about $600 - and one attempt you cannot afford to fail
The law does not stop you getting a UAE licence on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fees: a Golden Chance test without preparing for local rules, after which only full training remains, an expired or ineligible licence that will not be accepted for exchange, and driving on a foreign licence after getting a residence visa. Murblz specialists check whether your country qualifies for an exchange, open the file, book the eye test and the driving test and find an instructor for preparation. We guarantee professional work and a transparent process, and in most cases a result on the first application.
The cost of support depends on the issuing country and the emirate; a manager will calculate it in the chat.
If your licence has expired
Expired foreign licences are not exchanged in the UAE, and they do not qualify for the Golden Chance. Renew the licence in the issuing country first. If that is impossible, a UAE licence is obtained through full driving school training with theory and driving tests.
This topic in other countries
Deadlines, tests and documents for exchanging a licence differ in every country, so it is best to plan the exchange before the move, together with the residence permit: that way you will not spend months on taxis or risk a fine and your insurance.
Exchanging a licence in other countries: Georgia, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Turkey, Portugal, Cyprus, Paraguay, USA, Italy.
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Living, taxes and documents for a move.
Learn more →We will help you exchange your licence without extra visits. Tell us where your licence was issued and when you got your residence permit. We will count the deadline and prepare the documents.
FAQ
Can you drive in the UAE on a foreign licence?
Can a licence from a non-listed country be exchanged in the UAE?
What is the Golden Chance in Dubai?
How much does exchanging a licence cost in the UAE?
Which countries' licences are exchanged in the UAE without a test?
Can an expired licence be exchanged in the UAE?
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