Dubai is all about glitzy skyscrapers, luxury shopping, and vibrant culture, thus attracting millions of visitors and expatriates throughout the year including a considerable number from the United Kingdom. Driving your car through Dubai with its stunning cityscape and desert landscapes can be thrilling-you get to dip into all the unique sights at your own pace. But one of the most common questions for UK travelers and new residents is "Can I drive in Dubai with UK license?"
Driving in Dubai may be subject to varying rules and requirements, depending on your length of stay within the city, and all drivers should make an effort to understand these in detail to ensure their time on the road is free from hassle. For short-term visitors, driving on a UK license is allowed with a few key requirements. But for permanent residents, it is necessary to convert a UK license to a UAE driving license.
Thankfully, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has simplified the process of converting the license, making it relatively quicker and easier for UK nationals.
In this guide, we will break down everything from Can I drive with Uk license to driving in Dubai with a UK license, the requirements for tourists to the steps needed for a hassle-free RTA driving license conversion for residents. We will also be discussing other key details, which include an International Driving Permit, the documents to be presented when converting a license, the fees involved, the validity of a UAE driving license, and its renewal process.
Driving in Dubai on a UK License: What you need to know
Short-Term Visitors
Visitors from the UK who are in Dubai for a short time can use their UK driving license if they have attained the age and other requirements below:
- Minimum Age: You need to be above 21 years to hire a car.
- IDP: In addition, you would be required to obtain an IDP and must be used alongside your UK license.
- License Validity: The license issued in the UK shall be valid for the period of your stay.
Note that an IDP itself is not a complete document. It should be presented with your original UK driving license.
Long-Term Residents
If you are staying longer or moving to the country, the rules are different. The UK license holders will need to change their license to a UAE driving license to legally drive in Dubai. Fortunately, changing your UK license is relatively easy with minimal requirements.
How to convert a driving license in Dubai?
It is easy to change to a UAE driving license for UK license holders living in Dubai.
Here is what you need to do:
Required Documents
- Original UK Driving License
- Valid Passport
- UAE Residence Visa
- Passport-size Photographs
- Electronic Eye Test Certificate from an approved optician in the UAE the eye test costs around AED 140
UK nationals holding Emirate visas other than those from Dubai, need confirmation from their company about their employment in Dubai as well as copies of the trade license apart from other documents. In cases of diplomats, a diplomatic passport along with additional documentation from the embassy/consulate is required.
Application Process
Once you have your documents prepared, it is time to visit any RTA or Customer Happiness Centre in Dubai or use the online portal for license conversion.
Here is a quick breakdown of the steps:
- Submit Documents: Present the required documents at the RTA.
- Open File: RTA will verify the license from the UK and open a customer file.
- Fee Payment: License conversion fees, including file opening charges, license issuance charges, and a handbook, cost AED 870 in total.
- License: You will get your UAE driving license copy online and the original on the same day because you already have a UK license, as no further driving test or practical is required.
How long does it take to get a driving license in Dubai?
For UK license holders, this conversion can be done quickly, and with all documents in order, you can walk out with your new UAE driving license on the same day you apply at an RTA center. If you are applying for a new driving license UAE without converting your foreign one, the process involves theory classes, practical training, and multiple exams, which could take several weeks to complete.
UAE Driving License: Details expatriates should know by heart
- License Validity and Renewal: Normally, licenses for expatriates are valid for two years. For renewals, which you can easily do online through the RTA website or its mobile application.
- Digital License Copy: You can even get a digital copy of your UAE driving license through the online services of RTA so that it will be easy for you to access it even without a physical card.
- License Status Check: The UAE driving license check online will inform you of the status, validity, and date of renewal of your license on the RTA website.
Countries where you can exchange a driving license in Dubai
The UAE allows driving license exchange from a few countries. UK citizens can obtain a license in UAE by exchanging it without taking any additional test to get the driving license in the UAE. The following countries, in addition to the UK, are the Dubai driving license exchange countries:
- United States
- Canada
- Australia
- Germany
- France
This agreement between the two governments makes it quite easy for the citizens of these countries as there is no need to go into the hassle of additional testing.
Is UAE driving license valid in the UK?
A UAE driving license in Uk does not bear any direct relevance to validity for use in the UK. Residents who are UK residents returning after obtaining their license in UAE are entitled to apply for a UK driving license, without necessarily taking a new driving test, provided they have been UAE residents for at least 185 days in the previous year and passed their driving test in the UAE.
UK license holders have the convenience of driving in Dubai with their UK license for short visits with an IDP. For longer stays, converting your UK license is uncomplicated and does not require any additional testing, making it easy to transition to life on Dubai's roads. Please note that any amendment in the rule should always be checked from the updated information available on the official website of the RTA.
With this guide you have the answer to the question: can I drive in Dubai with UK license? Enjoy your safe drives through the vibrant cityscapes!
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