Moving to Abu Dhabi comes with plenty of exciting firsts, such as finding your favourite coffee spot or learning which beach club will become your regular weekend escape.
Then there is the less glamorous side of settling in… admin. If you already have a driving licence from another country, getting behind the wheel in the UAE is easier than you think.
For eligible licence holders, there is a relatively simple route to swapping your existing licence for a UAE one, without having to start your driving journey from scratch.
Check Your Licence Can Be Exchanged
The first step is to find out whether the country that issued your licence is recognised for direct exchange in the UAE. The list includes countries such as the UK, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and several European nations.
You will also need to have your UAE residency and Emirates ID in place before applying. If your country is not eligible for a direct exchange, a different process may apply, including additional testing.
Get Your Peepers Tested
You’ll need an eye test before your licence can be converted, but thankfully, there’s no need to traipse around Abu Dhabi getting different bits of admin done.
The Vehicles and Drivers Licensing Directorate can handle your eye test and driving licence procedures in the same place, making it a handy one-stop shop for getting everything sorted.
If your licence isn’t in a language accepted by the UAE authorities, you may also need an official translation. This needs to be done through an approved legal translation office, rather than simply translating it yourself.
Apply And Get It Done
You can apply through TAMM, Abu Dhabi’s government services platform, by searching for the service to replace a driving licence issued by another country.
But if you’d rather get the whole thing done in person, the Vehicles and Drivers Licensing Directorate is your best bet. You can get your eye test and complete the relevant licence procedures there, meaning most of the process can be taken care of under one roof.
You’ll need your Emirates ID, existing driving licence, and any required translation or residency documents. Some documents require payment in cash, so you must bring around AED 300 to the centre. There are cash machines on site if needed.
Pay, Collect, and Hit the Road
Once everything has been checked and the relevant fees paid, your UAE driving licence can be issued. And just like that, another piece of Abu Dhabi admin is done, and all that’s left is getting to grips with the roads.
One final thing, it’s a government building, so dress accordingly. Think long trousers and appropriate clothing and save the beachwear for the pool bars.
For more information, visit the Vehicles and Drivers Licensing Directorate.
To download the TAMM app, visit TAMM on App Store | TAMM on Google Play.
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