Apply for a New Driving Licence or a New Category Based on Exchanging Licences
Exchange a Driving Licence issued outside the UAE and get a new one in Dubai, according to the list of countries eligible for exchange, or add a new category to Driving Licences issued in Dubai based on exchanging licences from authorised countries (list in Important to Know section).
Select the country that issued your Driving Licence
Output
UAE Driving Licence valid for 1 year if you're younger than 21, and for 2 years if you're 21 or older, or a new Driving Licence with the added category keeping the remaining validity period of your previous licence
Ways to Apply
Website
- Website
- Customer Happiness Centres
- Vehicle Registration and Inspection Centres
Channels
Steps
- Go to Apply for a New Driving Licence or a New Category Based on Exchanging Licences .
- Enter your Emirates ID, Passport, or UAE Pass details.
- Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
- If you have a People of Determination card (Sanad) issued by the Community Development Authority, you're automatically referred to the Dubai Health Authority to obtain the medical report related to the requested vehicle category. However, if you're a POD and have a card issued by the Ministry of Community Empowerment, you must submit a report on your medical condition with the required documents. The request is reviewed by the relevant team within 3 working days. You're then referred to the Dubai Health Authority to obtain the medical report related to the requested vehicle category.
- Enter your personal information.
- Upload the documents.
- Submit the application and receive a reference number.
- Enter the details of the existing Driving Licence.
- Upload a copy of your Driving Licence and its legalised translation, if any.
- Submit the application and receive the new reference number.
- Take an eye test at one of the accredited Eye Test Centres.
- Surrender your original Driving Licence at the Customer Happiness Centre, if required.
- Receive an SMS on your registered phone number to pay the licence fees through RTA website:
- Log in to your account on the website.
- Click Licensing Services , then Driving Licence .
- Click Pay Now and select a delivery method to receive the licence.
- Click Next and pay the fees after reviewing them.
- Receive the licence as a Digital Driving Licence. You can receive a physical copy through:
- Self Service Machines
- Delivery service, with the fees as follows:
- Standard delivery: AED 20
- Same day delivery: AED 35
- Delivery within 2 hours: AED 50
- International delivery: AED 50.
- Receive the licence through the RTA Dubai App (My Docs) , and add it to your Apple or Samsung Wallet, if any.
Service Time
10 minutes
Channels
Steps
To exchange a Driving Licence
- Submit the documents at one of the listed centres.
- Verify your Driving Licence data.
- Open a Traffic File if you don't have one.
- Pay the fees.
- Receive the receipt through SMS and email.
- Receive the new Driving Licence from the centre.
- Receive the licence through the RTA Dubai App (My Docs) , and add it to your Apple or Samsung Wallet, if any.
To add a new category based on exchanging licences
- Submit the documents.
- Request to add a category to your Driving Licence.
- Pay the fees.
- Receive the payment receipt through SMS and email.
- Receive the licence with the new category.
Service Time
15 minutes
Channels
| Centre Name | Location | Working Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Hatta Tasjeel | Itinerary Details |
|
Steps
To exchange a Driving Licence
- Submit the documents at the centre.
- Verify your Driving Licence data.
- Open a Traffic File if you don't have one.
- Pay the fees.
- Receive the receipt through SMS and email.
- Receive the new Driving Licence from the centre.
- Receive the licence through the RTA Dubai App (My Docs) , and add it to your Apple or Samsung Wallet, if any.
To add a new category based on exchanging licences
- Submit the documents.
- Request to add a category to your Driving Licence.
- Pay the fees.
- Receive the payment receipt through SMS and email.
- Receive the licence with the new category.
Service Time
15 minutes
Important to Know
You Should Know
- The Driving Licence to be exchanged must be valid.
- In addition to the accredited Eye Test Centres, the eye test is also available in all Customer Happiness Centres and Driving Institutes.
- Eye test fee varies between AED 140 and AED 180, according to the test centre.
- In case the Driving Licence to be exchanged doesn't include security signs, you must provide a certificate verifying the validity of the data from the consulate or embassy of the country which issued the licence.
- You can't replace your Driving Licence if it's issued by the countries listed below:
- Guam island
- Jersey island
- Liechtenstein
- Monaco
- North Mariana
- Puerto Rico
- Andorra.
- To exchange a Driving Licence:
- If you're a diplomat, apply through one of the Customer Happiness Centres in order to fulfil the requirements of your relevant exceptions.
- If you're a diplomat, make sure the letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is valid for at least 6 months from the date you submit the application.
- If you submit a licence from one of the 20 exception countries listed below after opening a training file in Dubai because you hold a previous Driving Licence issued in an unauthorised country, you must present a Clearance Certificate and a certificate from the consulate or embassy attesting to the validity of the licence data in order to apply for a Driving Licence based on exchange.
- To add a new category based on exchanging licences:
- You must be present in person when applying at Customer Happiness or Inspection Centres.
- If your residence visa is issued from another emirate, you must present a proof of residence, study, or investment in Dubai.
List of the 20 countries eligible for exchange:
| Licence Origin | Nationality | Licence Requires Translation (yes/no) | The Foreign Licence Must be Withdrawn (yes/no) | Replaceable Categories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romania | All countries | No | No | All categories |
| Germany | All countries | No | No | All categories |
| Italy | All countries | No | No | All categories |
| Switzerland | All countries | No | No | All categories |
| Poland | All countries | No | No | All categories |
| Finland | All countries | No | No | All categories |
| Spain | All countries | No | No | All categories |
| Netherlands | All countries | No | No | All categories |
| Sweden | All countries | No | No | All categories |
| Belgium | All countries | No | No | All categories |
| Turkey | All countries | Yes/embassy or consulate | No | All categories |
| Denmark | All countries | No | No | All categories |
| Austria | All countries | No | No | All categories |
| France | All countries | No | No | All categories |
| Britain | All countries | No | No | All categories |
| Norway | All countries | No | No | All categories |
| United States of America | All countries | No | No | All categories |
| Japan | All countries | Yes/legalised | No | All categories |
| Hong Kong | All countries | Yes/legalised | No | All categories |
| South Africa | All countries | No | No | All categories |
- If you're a GCC national, your GCC Driving Licence must be valid to replace it, and you must surrender it.
- If you hold a GCC passport and a Driving Licence from the same country or from one of the exception countries, you can exchange it in Dubai regardless of your Emirates ID place of issuance.
- The Driving Licence issued in the Republic of Turkey requires a Driving Licence Data Certificate from the consulate or embassy, certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in accordance with the approved form.
You Should Do
- Check if your country is on the list of countries eligible for exchange:
Eligible Categories
Residents with a valid Driving Licence issued in one of the countries eligible for exchange
Service Requirements
Select Service Type
Fees
Select Service Type
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Credit card
Terms and Conditions
None
FAQs
- Q: Can I exchange the Driving Licence issued in one of the exception countries in Dubai, if I have a residence visa from another emirate and a tenancy contract in Dubai?
- A: Yes, provided that your company has a branch in Dubai.
- Q : Can I exchange my Driving Licence issued in a country eligible for exchange if I have a residence from another emirate with a personal sponsorship?
- A : Yes, you can exchange your licence in the emirate where your residence is issued.
- Q: If I'm a GCC national, can I drive in Dubai with my GCC Driving Licence?
- A: Yes, but only if you're on a visit visa. If you're working or living in the UAE, you have to exchange it.
- Q: If I'm not a national of a GCC country or any of the exception countries, have a visit visa and a GCC Driving Licence, can I drive in Dubai or do I need an international Driving Licence?
- A: You can drive in Dubai only if you're on a visit visa and have a Driving Licence from a GCC or exception country.
- Q: What types of vehicles can I drive in Dubai using a GCC or an exception country Driving Licence while on a visit visa?
- A: You can drive only light vehicles and motorcycles in Dubai if you have a visit visa and a Driving Licence from a GCC or exception country.
- Q: If I'm a USA national on an investment visa, can I use my US Driving Licence to drive in Dubai?
- A: No, you have to exchange it to be able to drive in Dubai.
- Q: If I'm on a mission visa, service visa, or multiple visa, can I drive in Dubai using a Driving Licence issued in a country on the list of exception countries or GCC countries?
- A: Yes, you can drive a light vehicle or a motorcycle as long as you're on a short term visa.
- Q: Can I exchange my Driving Licence if I have 2 passports, and I entered Dubai using my passport that's not from the exception countries?
- A: No, you must open a new Traffic File and apply for a new Driving Licence.
- Q: If I'm on a visit visa and have a UK Driving Licence, can I drive a vehicle registered under a KSA plate number in the UAE?
- A: No, you can only drive it while crossing the borders from KSA to the UAE.
- Q: If I exchange my Dubai Driving Licence for a GCC licence and then return to Dubai on a residence visa, can I exchange it back to a Dubai licence?
- A: Yes, you can have your original Driving Licence back. You just need to present your valid Emirates ID.
- Q: Are heavy truck and heavy equipment Driving Licences exchangeable?
- A: Yes, they're exchangeable if you're from one of the countries that can exchange all categories. Refer to the table featured in Important to Know section.
Updated on: 26-November-2025