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In the UAE, various online platforms offer residents the opportunity to convert their driving licenses. People with a license from other nations must pass a test to get a driving license in the UAE. Others only need to change their national driving license to one that is valid in the UAE. The National details the steps necessary to convert your license in each emirate.  

Dubai

You should have car insurance in Dubai to confirm the total protection of your financial life. In 2022, people are more aware of the importance of having car insurance in Dubai and its great benefits. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) provides driving license exchange services. Citizens of the following nations and areas who possess licenses from them may use this service:

• GCC nations

• Lithuania

• Portugal

• Hungary

• Bulgaria

• Latvia

• Serbia

• Luxembourg

• Estonia

• Cyprus

• Slovakia

• Slovenia

• Albania

• Romania

• Germany

• Italy

• Switzerland

• Poland

• Finland

• Spain

• Netherlands

• Greece

• Sweden

• Belgium

• Ireland

• Turkey

• Denmark

• Austria

• France

• United Kingdom

• Norway

• Montenegro

• Ukraine

• Canada

• United States

• Hong Kong

• China

• Australia

• New Zealand

• Singapore

• South Africa

The service is only accessible to the citizens of some select nations. For instance, to exchange a driver's Armenian license, the driver must be from Armenia.

 The following nations or territories' driving licenses cannot be exchanged:

• Jersey Island (Britain)

• North Mariana (US)

• Puerto Rico (US)

• Guam Island (US)

• Monaco (France)

• Liechtenstein (Switzerland) 

Requirements to apply for the service

• Driving license from one of the aforementioned nations (original)

• Emirates ID

• Eye test

• Legal translation of the license (if it’s not in Arabic or English)

 Residents can apply through the RTA after submitting a letter from the employer proving that they work in Dubai as well as a copy of the trade license from the branches in Dubai and other emirates if they have a visa issued in another emirate but the company where they work has a branch in Dubai.

How do I apply?

Visit the RTA website. Mention the nation, specify the source of the driving license, and attach a copy. For all subsequent actions or inquiries, a reference number will be provided once the application has been filed. To verify it, the applicant must visit the RTA Customer Happiness Center with an authentic driving license. You’ll receive a printed copy of the license.

 Singaporeans who wish to schedule an appointment for the knowledge test must apply through driving institutes and have the necessary documentation.

The conversion of a driving license costs Dh870. Owners of Singaporean licenses must pay Dh1,070.

 Contact +97146051414 from outside the UAE and RTA-Dubai 8009090 from inside the UAE, or send an email to ask@rta.ae for all your inquiries.

Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Police advised drivers to confirm that their license is valid and from an accredited nation before requesting a conversion. You can request the replacement of driving licenses given by particular international and Gulf nations with licenses granted by the UAE.

 The following nations and regions have licenses that can be converted to the UAE version:

• GCC nations

• Finland

• France

• Germany

• Japan

• the Netherlands

• Australia

• Austria

• Belgium

• Canada

• Denmark

• Greece

• Ireland

• Italy

• New Zealand

• Norway

• Turkey

• Poland

• the UK

• the US

• Portugal

• Spain

• South Korea

• Sweden

• South Africa

• Romania 

Requirements to apply for the service

• Eye test at a recognized optician by the Abu Dhabi Police

• Foreign driving license (original)

• Legal Arabic translation of the foreign license (if it’s not in Arabic)

• Passport copy

• Emirates ID Copy

• Two white-background personal photos

How do I apply?

The applicant must be a resident of Abu Dhabi, and you can submit your application online using either the Abu Dhabi Police website or the Tamm website operated by the Abu Dhabi government. To apply in person, visit one of Tamm's customer service centers or the Traffic Licensing Department of the Abu Dhabi Police. A driving license conversion costs Dh600 ($163). Call 800-3333 to reach Awnak.

Other Emirates

The website of the Ministry of Interior helps the residents of Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, and Ajman request the conversion of their foreign licenses.

 The following nations have licenses that can be converted to the UAE version:

• GCC nations

• Lithuania

• Portugal

• Hungary

• Bulgaria

• Latvia

• Serbia

• Luxembourg

• Estonia

• Cyprus

• Slovakia

• Slovenia

• Albania

• Romania

• Germany

• Italy

• Switzerland

• Poland

• Finland

• Spain

• the Netherlands

• Greece

• Sweden

• Belgium

• Ireland

• Turkey

• Denmark

• Austria

• France

• the UK

• Norway

• Montenegro

• Ukraine

• Canada

• the US

• Japan

• South Korea

• Hong Kong

• China

• Australia

• New Zealand

• Singapore

• South Africa 

 Before accessing the service on the ministry's website, applicants must provide their Emirates ID, a legal translation of their foreign driving license, and an eye test. Customers who have paid Dh600 must visit the traffic licensing department in the emirate with the receipt to get the UAE license. Call the ministry at 8005000 for all of your inquiries.