TL;DR
- GCC nationals can drive within the UAE utilizing their residence nation licence whereas visiting.
- As soon as a GCC nationwide turns into a UAE resident, they have to change their licence.
- License change is finished by way of the UAE’s digital MuroorKhous platform for AED 600.
- Former GCC residents with non-approved nationalities should move idea and highway checks.
- The UAE now recognises and permits change with licences from 52 authorized international locations
Final week, the UAE authorities authorized a serious replace to its “Markhoos” initiative below the Ministry of Inside. The choice expanded the variety of international locations eligible for driving licence recognition and change, reinforcing the UAE’s path towards streamlining authorities providers and enhancing mobility for residents and guests alike. Amongst these lined by these developments are nationals from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) international locations, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, who have already got distinctive preparations with the UAE by way of driving privileges. These preparations, whereas long-standing, are actually clarified and bolstered below the official license recognition and change framework, offering clear pointers on what GCC nationals, expatriates, and former residents should do based mostly on their residency standing and nationality.
Driving within the UAE with a GCC-Issued Licence
Residents of GCC international locations get pleasure from broad flexibility with regards to driving within the UAE. Their nationwide licences are recognised below mutual agreements and require no additional authentication throughout short-term visits. In case you are a GCC nationwide visiting the UAE, chances are you’ll legally drive within the nation utilizing your current nationwide driving licence. This is applicable no matter whether or not you’re utilizing a personal automotive or driving a car quickly, resembling throughout a go to. Nevertheless, as soon as a GCC nationwide obtains UAE residency, they’re required to use for a UAE driving licence. This entails changing their residence nation’s licence by means of the UAE’s official change course of. Persevering with to drive with a GCC licence after changing into a resident is just not permitted below UAE site visitors legal guidelines.
Official Recognition vs. Alternate: Outlined Below UAE Legislation
The UAE distinguishes between two licensing procedures: recognition and change. Every has particular necessities and is tied to the person’s residency standing and the character of their go to.Recognition (for guests) Recognition applies to people getting into the UAE on a go to or vacationer visa. It permits them to drive utilizing their legitimate nationwide licence without having to use for a UAE licence, offered the UAE has a reciprocal recognition settlement in place with the issuing nation.Key circumstances for recognition:
- The driving force should not maintain UAE residency.
- The driving force should possess a sound nationwide driving licence.
- The licence should cowl the suitable car class (mild car, motorbike, and so on.).
- Recognition is proscribed to the period of the go to or momentary keep.
This is applicable to each residents and expatriates residing in GCC international locations who’re visiting the UAE quickly.Alternate (for residents) As soon as a person turns into a UAE resident, they’re not permitted to drive utilizing their overseas or GCC-issued licence. As an alternative, they have to change their current legitimate nationwide licence for a UAE licence by means of the official channels.Eligibility and circumstances for licence change:
- The applicant have to be a citizen of a rustic authorized for licence change.
- A sound UAE residence allow is required.
- The nationwide licence have to be full and everlasting (not momentary or probationary).
- The applicant have to be a minimum of 17 years outdated.
- A imaginative and prescient (medical) check have to be accomplished.
- Authorized and administrative necessities below UAE legislation have to be fulfilled.
- In some circumstances, the unique overseas licence might must be surrendered if required below the bilateral settlement.
Former GCC Residents: Particular Testing Necessities
A typical state of affairs arises with people who beforehand lived in a GCC nation and obtained a driving licence there however are not GCC residents. Below UAE guidelines, holding a licence from a GCC nation doesn’t robotically qualify for change except the applicant’s nationality can be from a recognised nation. Because of this an expatriate from a non-recognised nation (not included within the UAE’s 52 authorized nations or the GCC) who beforehand held a GCC licence should endure testing earlier than receiving a UAE driving licence.These candidates should:
- Cross the information (idea) check.
- Cross the highway check.
Driving lessons usually are not obligatory in such circumstances, which helps scale back prices. The applicant can go on to testing after opening a site visitors file. Estimated price vary: AED 2,000 to AED 2,500, which can differ barely by emirate or driving faculty. This contains:
- Opening a site visitors file
- Taking the information check
- Taking the highway check
This regulation ensures that driving competence is assessed whereas recognising earlier driving historical past, even when the applicant is not a GCC resident or citizen.
Utility Course of and Charges
All eligible candidates, together with GCC nationals, residents from the 52 authorized international locations, and others qualifying below bilateral agreements, should full the change course of by means of the UAE’s devoted digital platform.Steps to change a licence:
- Apply by means of the MuroorKhous on-line platform.
- Submit:
- A replica of the unique overseas driving licence.
- A authorized translation of the licence (if not in Arabic or English).
- Bear a imaginative and prescient check at an authorised centre.
- Pay the AED 600 charge for processing and issuance.
- Select between receiving the licence electronically or by courier.
The brand new UAE driving licence is issued with out the necessity for additional idea or highway testing if the applicant meets all circumstances below the change settlement.Additionally learn: UAE now permits guests from 52 nations to drive with their residence nation licenses
Nations Eligible for Recognition and Alternate
The up to date record below the Markhoos initiative now contains 52 international locations together with the GCC international locations. Residents of those international locations might both drive throughout their go to utilizing their nationwide licences or change them upon acquiring UAE residency: Estonia, Albania, Portugal, China, Hungary, Greece, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Cyprus, Latvia, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Malta, Iceland, Montenegro, Israel, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, america of America, France, Japan, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Eire, Spain, Norway, New Zealand, Romania, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, Finland, the UK, Turkey, Canada, Poland, South Africa, Australia, Croatia, Texas, the Republic of North Macedonia, the Republic of Kosovo, the Kyrgyz Republic.Necessary Notice: Residents of South Korea are allowed to change their licence after acquiring UAE residency, however they can’t use their nationwide licence throughout a go to for driving functions.Q. Can I drive within the UAE with my GCC licence as a customer? Sure, GCC residents can drive within the UAE with their nationwide licence whereas on a go to.Q. Do I have to change my GCC licence if I develop into a UAE resident? Sure, when you receive residency, you should change your GCC licence for a UAE one.Q. What if I used to reside in a GCC nation however not do? In case your nationality isn’t from an authorized nation, you’ll have to move idea and highway checks.Q. How a lot does it price to change a overseas licence within the UAE? The charge is AED 600 by means of the MuroorKhous platform.Q. Which international locations are eligible for direct change? GCC international locations and 52 others; full record accessible within the article and on the Ministry of Inside web site.
