How Expats Can Get a Driving Licence in Dubai

• Golden Visa Privilege
• RTA Golden Chance Driving Test
• Licence Swap
• Young Drivers
• Flight Crew Test
• Affordable Driving Course
• Unlimited Driving Tests
• Regular Driving Tests
• FAQs

Dubai experiences frequent and large influxes of tourists. State-of-the-art infrastructure, equal employment opportunities and major tourist attractions make the city of gold highly appealing to visitors and investors alike. Considering the huge number of arrivals, the authorities have introduced initiatives to provide a seamless living experience in the city. From owning properties to easy VISA conditions, the facilities are plenty. Another major facility in this regard is the ability to retrieve a driving licence.

For expats residing in Dubai, there are several ways to get a driving licence. Let’s find out how to get a driving licence in Dubai for expats. Expats can choose from several ways that are best suited for them.

How to Get a Driving Licence for Expats in Dubai

The public transportation system in Dubai offers a wide range of mobility options across the entire Emirate. For instance, Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram are formidable options for commuting in the city.

However, for people who want to travel by personal vehicle, it is mandatory to have a driving licence. Whether it’s a personal or rental vehicle, driving without a licence can land drivers in conflict with the law.

To make things easier, there are several ways expats can get a driving licence in Dubai. Let’s go through all the methods in detail.

GOLDEN VISA PRIVILEGE

UAE Golden Visa holders can attain a driving licence in Dubai without attending the mandatory lessons. However, it is important to hold a driving licence from one of 32 approved countries.

Expats from the approved countries can submit their home-country licence. They still need to pass the road and knowledge test to get a driving licence in Dubai. Expats with a UAE Golden Visa can apply for the licence through the RTA website or the RTA-approved driving schools.

Go through our guide on Dubai driving licence for Golden Visa holders to get an in-depth overview of the entire process.

RTA GOLDEN CHANCE DRIVING TEST

For foreigners looking to get a driving licence in Dubai, the Golden Chance driving test can be a great opportunity. Introduced in April 2023, the Golden Chance scheme allows people belonging to countries other than the approved ones to convert their driving licences.

Additionally, expats who avail of this offer don’t have to take the lessons. The Golden Chance initiative gives drivers a one-time opportunity to skip the rigorous driving licence process. As this is a one-time opportunity, drivers have to take classes if they fail the test.

Check out the details of the RTA Golden Chance driving test to get a comprehensive overview of the great initiative.

LICENCE SWAP

Swapping a licence is also one way for expats to get a driving licence in Dubai. Citizens of certain countries can exchange their driving licences for a Dubai driving licence.

The countries include GCC countries and UK, USA, Canada, China, Lithuania, Portugal, Hungary, Latvia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Estonia, Cyprus, Slovenia, Albania, Slovakia, Romania, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, Spain, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, Greece, Ireland, Denmark, Austria, France, Turkey, Norway, Montenegro, Japan, South Korea, Ukraine, Australia, Hong Kong New Zealand, South Africa and Singapore.

Besides, the option to swap licences and get a UAE driving licence, applicants still have to pass the eye test. Moreover, an Emirates ID and translation of the licence (if not in Arabic or English) are compulsory to avail of this service.

YOUNG DRIVERS

The minimum driving age in the UAE is 18 years. However, young foreigners who want to learn how to get a driving licence in Dubai can take the young drivers’ course. Drivers should be at least 17 years and 6 months old to enrol for a car driving test. Additionally, the age limit for the motorcycle driving course is 17 years.

Applicants get the licence once they are 18 years old. Check out the Emirates Driving School young drivers’ test to get a detailed account of this test.

FLIGHT CREW TEST

This special driving test is for the flight and cabin crew of FlyDubai and Emirates Airlines. Expats working for these airlines can directly appear for the RTA road test to obtain a Dubai driving licence. However, a valid driving licence from the home country is compulsory.

Crew members without a licence should register for 20-hour training sessions. Moreover, crew members of other airlines can also enrol for 10,15 or 20-hour sessions as regular students. The Emirates Driving Institute offers this special course for flying crew.

AFFORDABLE DRIVING COURSE

The affordable driving course is another option for expats to get a driving licence in Dubai. The service is limited to people with low incomes and to select professions. The professions include domestic workers, drivers, labourers, cleaners, nannies, cooks, office clerks and bus drivers, among others.

The service offers up to 25% discounts on course fees. Moreover, eligible candidates can get free lectures and simulators.

UNLIMITED DRIVING TESTS

For expats and locals, the unlimited driving test remains a convenient and viable option. If applicants fail a driving test, they need to take additional training classes, which may cost a fair amount of money.

In this regard, the top driving schools in Dubai offer packages of unlimited or bulk training sessions. This can help save money that would otherwise be spent on the additional courses.

REGULAR DRIVING TESTS

Foreigners who want to learn how to get a driving licence in Dubai can also try the simplest method. Anyone 18 years or older can apply for a driving licence in Dubai. Individuals should register with an authorised driving school, take the required lessons and pass the mandatory tests.

Training hours for these vary with driving experience. For instance, there are 20 hours of training for new drivers and 15 hours for drivers with 2 to 5 years of experience. Additionally, drivers with a driving licence and over 5 years of driving experience need to complete 10 hours of training.

FAQs

How Can an Expat Get a Driver’s Licence in Dubai?

There are several ways an expat can get a driving licence in Dubai. The ways include Golden Chance initiative, licence swap, Golden Visa privilege and several more.

Can I get a driving licence with a tourist visa in the UAE?

Tourists on a visit visa can drive in Dubai if they have an international driving licence. Those without an international driving licence can apply for a temporary driving licence if they belong to one of the RTA-selected countries.

Can I renew my international driving licence from another country in Dubai?

No, an international driving licence renewal in Dubai is not possible if the licence is issued in another country.

These are all the ways expats can get a driving licence in Dubai. The Emirate has a huge expat population. The many government initiatives and schemes make it easier for foreigners to get a driving licence in Dubai.

Want to know about driving tests? Go through our list of RTA driving tests to get a detailed overview of all the tests.

With a driving licence, expats can explore the majestic city of Dubai by car. Additionally, the easy process to rent a car in Dubai and the many services provide a plethora of options for foreigners and locals to choose from.

While rental vehicles are viable options, there’s nothing quite like having a personal vehicle. Pre-owned cars can be a formidable and feasible option in this regard. Browse through these used cars for sale in Dubai and have your pick from a wide variety of vehicles listed.

Stay tuned to dubizzle’s auto blog to learn how to get a driving licence for expats in Dubai and more.