Skip classes or test and still get Dubai driving licence?

Getting a driving licence is one of the most important things to do for any expat who comes to Dubai. Mostly, residents take the mandatory driving classes before they take the exam if you have never driven before or hold a licence that is not on the approved list of countries.

However, there is a list of countries and if you come from one of these with a valid licence, you can skip the classes and just convert your home country licence to drive in Dubai.

Who is eligible?

As per authorities in Dubai,  people of Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States are eligible to skip the classes and the test. It is advisable to contact Roads and Transport Authority for an update list and double check on your eligibility.

To apply for the transfer of the licence, you have to be a citizen of the country stated above with current resident status in UAE.

This means that former residents from these countries who may be holding permanent driver licences are not eligible and you will have to follow all the steps to get a new license.

Driving licence holders of some countries in the approved list will require translations or consulate letters. For example, Canadians require a letter from the Canadian Consulate in Dubai to verify that the licence is genuine, before transferring your licence.

Driving licence holders from Greece, Canada, Cyprus, Poland, Turkey, Japan and South Korea will require a translation of their driving licence from their respective consulates.

Documents and fees needed for transfer

If you are in the approved list of countries, some documents are needed and are mandatory. You will require your passport (original and copy), residence permit copy, current driving licence (original and copy), translation of driving licence (for some countries), 1 passport photo, eye test certificate and a no-objection letter from your sponsor. A Dh360 transfer fee is applicable.

How to apply for a transfer?

Firstly, you need to approach a hospital, clinic or optician to get an eye test done. These should be approved and permitted to do the required test.

Once you have all the required documents head to the Dubai Traffic Department Driving Licence Section in Al Ghusais. Here, you will have to do the paperwork, which includes filling up the application form and submission of the documents.

The Dh360 transfer fee is now payable.

Once this is done, you just need to wait to be clicked to get your licence to drive around Dubai.