Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) allows eligible residents to exchange their valid foreign driving licenses for a Dubai driving license, saving time and avoiding mandatory lessons or tests.
In 2025, the RTA reported that 58,082 foreign licenses were successfully exchanged, covering more than 50 countries officially recognized for conversion.
Eligible countries include five GCC nations, 38 European countries, 13 Asian and Latin American countries, South Africa, Canada, the USA (including Texas), Australia, and New Zealand.
Some countries, such as Turkey, require additional documentation or official translation.
Expat applicants must ensure their license is valid, pass a mandatory eye test at accredited centers, and submit any required certificates from their country’s consulate.
Licenses from Guam, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and Andorra cannot be exchanged.
For applicants from countries not on the approved list, the standard Dubai driving license process applies, including enrollment in an RTA-approved driving institute and completion of mandatory training and tests.
GCC nationals can exchange licenses issued in their home country or other approved exception countries if valid.
The RTA encourages residents to check country-specific requirements on its website before applying.