Which countries can convert driving licence directly in UAE?

Over 50 countries including UK, US, Canada, EU, Australia, GCC, South Korea, Japan. Full list at rta.ae.

How long does UAE licence conversion take?

Same day for most nationalities. Bring all documents to an RTA Customer Happiness Centre and you'll leave with your UAE licence.

How much does it cost to convert licence in Dubai?

AED 870 government fee + AED 50 eye test = AED 920 minimum. Add AED 100 if translation needed.

How to Convert Your Foreign Driving Licence in UAE

You can convert your foreign driving licence directly to a UAE licence (no test required) if you're from one of 50+ approved countries including UK, US, Canada, EU, Australia, GCC states, and South Korea. Cost: AED 870 in Dubai. Timeline: same-day for most nationalities.

Eligible countries for direct conversion (2026)

Europe: UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, all EU members.

North America: USA, Canada.

GCC: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman.

Asia/Pacific: Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore.

Other: South Africa, Turkey, and more (full list at rta.ae).

Documents required

Original valid foreign driving licence
Translated copy if not in English/Arabic (legal translation, AED 100)
Emirates ID (original + copy)
Passport with residence visa
Eye test certificate (AED 50, done at any optician)
2 passport-sized photos

Where to convert (Dubai)

RTA Customer Happiness Centres: Al Barsha, Al Twar, Deira, Al Manara. All open Sat-Thu 7:30am-2pm.

Driving schools: Belhasa, Emirates Driving Institute, Galadari Motor Driving Centre — they handle the paperwork for AED 200-500 extra.

Step-by-step process

Get eye test at any optician (AED 50, 5 minutes)
If licence not in English/Arabic, get legal translation (AED 100)
Visit RTA Customer Happiness Centre or driving school
Submit documents and biometrics
Pay fee (AED 870 in Dubai)
Receive UAE licence same day or within 24 hours

Total costs in Dubai 2026

Eye test	AED 50
Translation (if needed)	AED 100
Licence conversion fee	AED 870
Knowledge test (waived for direct conversion)	AED 0
Total	AED 1,020 (~$278)

What if your country isn't on the list?

You must do the full UAE driving programme: 20-40 lessons (AED 3,000-6,000), theory test, parking test, road test. Plan for AED 5,000-8,000 total and 2-3 months.

Common mistakes

Bringing expired licence (must be valid)
Forgetting translation for non-English licences
Going to wrong RTA centre — Customer Happiness Centres only, not all RTA offices
Visiting on Friday — most centres closed

Key takeaway: If you're from one of 50+ eligible countries, you can convert your driving licence in UAE same-day for AED 870 — no driving test required. Bring eye test, EID, passport, and original licence.

Got more UAE questions?

Tovi knows current 2026 UAE rules, fees, and processes. Ask anything — visas, banking, housing, schools. Ask Tovi free →