Expatriates on UAE residence visas who drive using licences issued in their home countries risk facing three months in jail or a fine of up to Dh5,000, according to Salah Bu Farousha, Head, Dubai Traffic Public Prosecution.

"Residents who drive with their home driving licence could face both punishments and will not be allowed to drive in the UAE as their names will be blacklisted," he was quoted as saying by 'Gulf News'.

A Jordanian was held in Dubai's Naif area for driving around with a permit issued in the US. He was jailed for two months and paid  Dh2,000 fine.

Bu Farousha said expatriates from 26 nations are allowed to drive in the UAE using licences issued in their home countries while on visit. But when they change to residence visas they must also obtain UAE driving licence, he added.

"Home driving licences or international driving licence will not be accepted when people obtain residence visas in the UAE," he said and added that those violating the traffic law could also be banned from driving in the country, reported the paper.

The 26 nationalities who are allowed to drive with licences issued from their home countries during their visit to the UAE are: Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Finland, Spain, Holland, Greece, Sweden, Romania, Belgium, Ireland, Turkey, Denmark, Austria, France, UK, Norway, US, Canada, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand, Hong Kong and South Africa.