Requirements of Obtaining a Driving License
To obtain a driver's license in Dubai, you need to be a resident of the United Arab Emirates, with a residence visa issued in Dubai. If you are a resident of Dubai but have a visa issued in another emirate, then you need to obtain a transferal form allowing you to obtain your driver's license from Dubai. The minimum age for obtaining a drivers license is 18 years.
Transferring An International License
Individuals who have driving licenses from any of the GCC countries or any of the countries mentioned below, can transfer to a Dubai driver's license without having to take driving lessons or tests. It is only important to transfer to a Dubai driving license if you are planning to reside in Dubai.
 Australia |
 France |
 Japan |
 South Africa |
 Austria |
 Germany |
 Luxembourg |
 South Korea |
 Belgium |
 Greece |
 New Zealand |
 Spain |
 Canada |
 Holland |
 Norway |
 Sweden |
| Czech Republic |
 Iceland |
 Poland |
 Switzerland |
 Cyprus |
 Iran |
 Portugal |
 Turkey |
 Denmark |
 Ireland |
 Singapore |
 Great Britian |
 Finland |
 Italy |
Slovakia |
 United States |
Those who want to transfer their license must be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver's license, have a residence visa in Dubai, and fill in the driver's license form with one passport size photograph, original passport and one photocopy, original driver's license and one photocopy, eye test report, and Dhs. 100. For non-GCC license's, it is also required to obtain a letter from the Embassy or Consulate from which the driver's license was issued, confirming that the driver's license is valid. If the driver's license is not in English or Arabic, it is also required to have the license translated at the Consulate or Embassy.
Individuals with an Indian international drivers license will require to obtain a new license in order to drive a car.
Driver's Permit / Driving Lessons / Driving Exams
Information about obtaining a driver's permit, taking driving lessons, and taking driving exams in Dubai can be found at the following link.
Obtaining The License
 On successful completion of driving tests, it will cost Dhs. 100 to issue a Dubai driver's license. The driver's license will have a digital photograph on it and will look similar to the picture on the right. Individuals under the age of 21 will be issued a driving license that needs to be renewed yearly, while individuals over 21 will be issued driving licenses that last for 10 years. |
