Sorting Out Your Driving Licence When Living in Dubai

If you’re moving to live in Dubai, or even if you’re just going to be in the emirate for a short contract, you will have to sort out either a temporary or permanent Dubai driving licence because you cannot drive a private car on a British licence.

If you’re just visiting the emirate and you’re happy to drive a hire car then you can rent a car if you have an international licence. 

In this article we’ll discuss sorting out your driving licence when living in Dubai, as well as getting an international driving permit before you leave the UK.

An international driving permit or IDP is the document required if you want to rent a car in Dubai.  To get one you can go to main post offices in the UK for example, there you will complete an application form and for that to be processed you have to either present your UK driving licence, (if it’s a photocard one you will also need to present the paper counterpart that comes with it), or your UK pass certificate and your provisional licence.  In addition to this you will need to supply a passport sized photo and another signed form of ID such as your passport.

The charge at the moment is about £5.50.  You can also apply at any of the AA’s travel shops for example, or if neither of these options is convenient you can send off for one.  First download the application form, then complete it and post it to the address on the form together with a passport sized photo and a full photocopy of the following, (note: do not send the originals!): -

• Your UK driving licence (if it’s a photocard one then copy the front and the back and the counterpart as well) OR
• Your UK pass certificate (certificate of competence to drive, valid for two years from the date of your test) and your provisional driving licence OR
• Your DVLA confirmation of entitlement to drive
• Photocopy of the page(s) of your passport showing your photograph and identification details.
• A self-addressed envelope - maximum 240mm x 165mm (Royal Mail’s standard letter, no stamps required)
• An original, signed application form (licence holder’s signature only).
• The appropriate fee - a minimum of £7.50 per permit (statutory charge of £5.50 plus £2.00 postal application processing fee).

For more information you can look on the AA’s website.

Once you have your IDP you can rent a car in Dubai!  If on the other hand you want to drive a privately owned vehicle you have to apply for a Dubai driving licence.  You can only get a permanent licence when you have your residency permit, so in the interim you can get a temporary one.  The process is quite straightforward and you don’t actually need an IDP to get one! 

You go to the Traffic Police offices and get an application form filled in there in Arabic – you will be charged a small fee for the typing service.  Once this has been filled in go to the counter with your passport, your visa (even if all you have is a visit visa), and 2 passport sized photos.  You will also have to show your foreign licence and it is possible that you will also have to supply an eye test certificate and even consulate certified proof that your licence is valid.  As you may not need these extra documents most people don’t bother getting them.  But if you are asked for them do NOT argue!  Go away, get what you need and return.  Your application will be processed there and then, you’ll have your picture taken and it will all cost you in the region of 110 dirham.

This temporary licence can be valid for up to 6 months – which gives you plenty of time to get all your other essential paperwork in order before returning to get your permanent licence.  If you want to save money, then don’t apply for the temporary licence, simply wait until you have your residency permit allowing you to live in Dubai, and then apply straight for the permanent Dubai driving licence.  To get this you follow a similar procedure to getting a temporary one.  Go to the Traffic Police with your foreign licence, your residency permit, an eye test certificate (or you can have a test done on site usually),your passport, and 110 dirham!  You will have to have an application form filled in in Arabic, and then just take everything to the counter and wait to be processed.  Your wait time will just depend on the queue.  Again you will have your picture taken and your licence will be issued there and then and be valid for up to 10 years.