Residents with licenses issued by RTA-recognised countries can apply for a UAE license without completing the standard driving lessons and road test. The recognised list covers more than 50 countries, including the UK, the US (except Texas), Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, China, most EU states, and all six GCC countries. Eligibility can still depend on the applicant’s nationality and license category.
Applicants must present the original foreign license, which must be valid. An International Driving Permit is not accepted on its own. Additional requirements may apply depending on the country, including a theory test or nationality-specific conditions.
Those who are not eligible for an exchange must complete the standard licensing process through an RTA-approved driving institute. This includes driving lessons and testing, with RTA also using artificial intelligence and smart technologies in parts of the training and assessment process.
