How to Convert a Foreign Driving License to a UAE License
You can convert a foreign driving license to a UAE license in one of two ways. If your country is on the UAE exchange list, around 57 countries, you swap it for a UAE license with no driving test. If it is not on the list, you take the standard course and tests at an approved driving school.
The exchange is handled by the licensing authority in your emirate, such as the RTA in Dubai, Abu Dhabi Police through TAMM, or Sharjah Police. The country that issued your license decides which path you follow.
Which countries can exchange a license without a test?
Around 57 countries are approved for a direct exchange. They include all GCC states, most of Europe, North America, and several Asian countries. The table below shows common examples.
| Region | Eligible countries (examples) |
| GCC | Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar |
| Europe | United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Portugal, Greece, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Romania |
| North America and Oceania | United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand |
| Asia | Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Turkey |
| Africa | South Africa |
This is a partial list, and the UAE updates it from time to time, so confirm your country on the official RTA or licensing-authority list. A few territories are excluded even when they are linked to an eligible country, such as Jersey, Puerto Rico, Guam, Monaco, and Andorra.
What are the conditions to exchange without a test?
To swap your license without a test, you must:
- Hold a valid UAE residence visa and Emirates ID.
- Have a valid license that has not expired and is not a temporary or learner permit.
- Pass the eye test at an approved center.
- Provide a certified Arabic translation if your license is not in Arabic or English.
Documents you need
Bring the originals and copies of:
- Your valid foreign driving license.
- Your Emirates ID.
- Your passport with a valid UAE residence visa.
- Passport-size photographs.
- A certified Arabic translation of the license, if it is needed.
How to exchange your license step by step
- Take the eye test at an approved optical center, which sends the result to the authority.
- Get a certified Arabic translation of your license if it is not in Arabic or English.
- Apply at your emirate's licensing center or through its app, such as Dubai Drive or TAMM.
- Submit your documents and pay the fee.
- Collect your UAE license, or receive it by delivery.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
The exchange fee is usually about AED 950 to AED 1,500, plus around AED 100 to AED 150 for the eye test. Processing time depends on the emirate.
| Emirate | Processing time |
| Dubai | 1 to 2 hours |
| Abu Dhabi | Same day |
| Sharjah and the Northern Emirates | Up to 2 days |
What if your country is not on the list?
Licenses from countries that are not on the exchange list, such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Philippines, cannot be swapped directly. You apply for a new UAE license through an approved driving school and pass the theory and road tests, as set out in our guide on how to get a UAE driving license. Experienced drivers may use the Golden Chance option to attempt the road test without the full course of classes.
Either way, you must pass the RTA theory test first. Practise free with our RTA theory test mock tests so you clear it on your first attempt.
Can GCC license holders exchange without a test?
Yes. Licenses from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar are on the exchange list, so GCC residents who move to the UAE swap their license for a UAE one without a driving test, as long as they meet the same conditions of a valid visa, Emirates ID, and eye test.
Once you hold a UAE license, check which vehicles it covers in our guide to the UAE driving license categories.