You can lease a car and drive on your foreign exchangeable or international license (if it has been valid for at least one year) from any country prior to your residence visa being complete. Once your residence visa is stamped in your passport you will be required to obtain a UAE driver’s license in order to drive a rented or privately-owned vehicle.

Residents, who are eligible to transfer their home country Driver’s License, should submit an application along with the required documents at any branch of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The application form has to be completed, stamped and signed by the applicant and the sponsor. The RTA office will process the application on the spot, take a picture of you and issue your UAE driver’s license. Move One can help you complete the transfer.

In order to convert your driving license in to UAE driving license, you need to have a passport from a country listed below:

GCC Countries

Kuwait Saudi Arabia Bahrain Oman Qatar

European countries

Austria, Belgium, Spain, German, France, Ireland, Netherland, Italy, UK, Turkey, Greece, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Romania, Poland, Finland, Portugal

American States

Canada, USA

East Asia

South Korea, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, Singapore

African States

South Africa

Required Documents:

Valid original driving license and original passport.

A valid residence visa issued from Dubai (visa should be stamped in the passport)

Emirates ID card.
Attendance of applicant in person.
No objection certificate issued by the sponsor *
Eyesight test must be approved from Dubai Health Authority.
The nationality must be from the exception countries.

If a customer works for company branch office in Dubai and has a residence visa from the main branch located in other emirate, he needs to bring a copy of trade license of Dubai branch and trade license of main branch from where the visa is being issued.

* Note: Some professions do not need a NOC from the sponsor to issue a light vehicle driving license or motorcycles driving license such as:

Fees*

Knowledge fee : AED 10.00
Opening file : AED 200.00
Licensing issuing : AED 150.00
Hand book manual : AED 50.00
Total : AED 410.00

*Fees are subjected to change without prior notice.

Branches:

Deira Licensing Department
Al Tawar- Behind Dubai Police Headquarters
Sunday to Thursday
– 8:00 am till 2:00 pm

Al Barsha Licensing Department
Al Quoz – Behind Gold and Diamonds Center
Sunday to Thursday
– 8:00 am till 2:00 pm

Al Manara Center
Inside Dubai Municipality Office Sheikh Zayed Road towards Abu Dhabi (in front of Noor Islamic Bank metro station)
Sunday to Thursday
– 8:00 am till 7:30 pm

Unified Al Twar Center
Al Nahda Street – Opposite Twar Center- beside Eppco Petrol Station
Sunday to Thursday
– 8:00 am till 7:30 pm

RTA Main Customer Service
Umm Al Ramool
Marrakesh Road- Umm Ramool – Rashidiya
Sunday to Thursday
– 8:00 am till 4:00 pm

Jumeriah Beach Residence
Jumeriah Beach Residence Inside Al Murjan Complex 1st Floor Opposite To Carepo Café
Sunday to Thursday
– 8:00 am till 7:30 pm

In case  you do not fall under the above category, you can apply for a Dubai driving license in one of the below driving institutes with your driving license which will entitle you for a Theory Test and Road Test without going through any class.

Emirates Driving Institute
Al Ahli Driving Institute
Dubai Driving Institute
Galadari Driving Institute
Belhasa Driving Institute
Drive Dubai

In case if you fail in first road test, you need to go through 4 classes and if you fail again you will need to take 8 classes.

Driving Tips:

• Always follow road signs and speed limits
• Always fasten your seat belt
• Stay out of the far left lane unless passing
• Watch on right as common to pass on both sides
• If you have accident call police at 999 or use the phone app
• Make sure you pay your fines at RTA office or online at www.dubaipolice.gov.ae otherwise you will not be able to register you car.
• Do not use your mobile/blackberry while driving
• Don’t leave your car parked in the sun
• Tint your windows – it helps during summer months