TL;DR
- GCC nationals can drive within the UAE utilizing their house nation licence whereas visiting.
- As soon as a GCC nationwide turns into a UAE resident, they need to alternate their licence.
- License alternate is finished through the UAE’s digital MuroorKhous platform for AED 600.
- Former GCC residents with non-approved nationalities should cross concept and highway checks.
- The UAE now recognises and permits alternate with licences from 52 accepted nations
Final week, the UAE government approved a major update to its “Markhoos” initiative beneath the Ministry of Inside. The choice expanded the variety of nations eligible for driving licence recognition and alternate, reinforcing the UAE’s route towards streamlining authorities providers and bettering mobility for residents and guests alike. Amongst these coated by these developments are nationals from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, 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, at the moment are clarified and bolstered beneath the official license recognition and alternate framework, offering clear tips 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 nations get pleasure from broad flexibility in terms of driving within the UAE. Their nationwide licences are recognised beneath mutual agreements and require no additional authentication throughout short-term visits. In case you are a GCC nationwide visiting the UAE, it’s possible 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 non-public automotive or driving a automobile briefly, equivalent to throughout a go to. Nonetheless, as soon as a GCC nationwide obtains UAE residency, they’re required to use for a UAE driving licence. This includes changing their house nation’s licence by means of the UAE’s official alternate course of. Persevering with to drive with a GCC licence after turning into a resident will not be permitted beneath UAE visitors legal guidelines.
Official Recognition vs. Change: Outlined Below UAE Regulation
The UAE distinguishes between two licensing procedures: recognition and alternate. 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 coming into the UAE on a go to or vacationer visa. It permits them to drive utilizing their legitimate nationwide licence while not having to use for a UAE licence, supplied 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 automobile class (gentle automobile, motorbike, and many others.).
- Recognition is proscribed to the length of the go to or short-term keep.
This is applicable to each residents and expatriates residing in GCC nations who’re visiting the UAE briefly.Change (for residents) As soon as a person turns into a UAE resident, they’re now not permitted to drive utilizing their overseas or GCC-issued licence. As an alternative, they need to alternate their current legitimate nationwide licence for a UAE licence by means of the official channels.Eligibility and circumstances for licence alternate:
- The applicant should be a citizen of a rustic accepted for licence alternate.
- A sound UAE residence allow is required.
- The nationwide licence should be full and everlasting (not short-term or probationary).
- The applicant should be at the least 17 years previous.
- A imaginative and prescient (medical) take a look at should be accomplished.
- Authorized and administrative necessities beneath UAE legislation should be fulfilled.
- In some circumstances, the unique overseas licence might must be surrendered if required beneath the bilateral settlement.
Former GCC Residents: Particular Testing Necessities
A typical scenario arises with people who beforehand lived in a GCC nation and obtained a driving licence there however are now not GCC residents. Below UAE guidelines, holding a licence from a GCC nation doesn’t robotically qualify for alternate until the applicant’s nationality can be from a recognised nation. Which means an expatriate from a non-recognised nation (not included within the UAE’s 52 accepted nations or the GCC) who beforehand held a GCC licence should endure testing earlier than receiving a UAE driving licence.These candidates should:
- Move the data (concept) take a look at.
- Move the highway take a look at.
Driving lessons will not be obligatory in such circumstances, which helps scale back prices. The applicant can go on to testing after opening a visitors file. Estimated price vary: AED 2,000 to AED 2,500, which can differ barely by emirate or driving faculty. This consists of:
- Opening a visitors file
- Taking the data take a look at
- Taking the highway take a look at
This regulation ensures that driving competence is assessed whereas recognising earlier driving historical past, even when the applicant is now not a GCC resident or citizen.
Utility Course of and Charges
All eligible candidates, together with GCC nationals, residents from the 52 accepted nations, and others qualifying beneath bilateral agreements, should full the alternate course of by means of the UAE’s devoted digital platform.Steps to alternate a licence:
- Apply by means of the MuroorKhous on-line platform.
- Submit:
- A duplicate of the unique overseas driving licence.
- A authorized translation of the licence (if not in Arabic or English).
- Endure a imaginative and prescient take a look at at an authorised centre.
- Pay the AED 600 price 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 concept or highway testing if the applicant meets all circumstances beneath the alternate settlement.Additionally learn: UAE now allows visitors from 52 nations to drive with their home country licenses
Nations Eligible for Recognition and Change
The up to date record beneath the Markhoos initiative now consists of 52 nations together with the GCC nations. Residents of those nations might both drive throughout their go to utilizing their nationwide licences or alternate 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 Be aware: Residents of South Korea are allowed to alternate their licence after acquiring UAE residency, however they can not 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 alternate my GCC licence if I change into a UAE resident? Sure, when you receive residency, you should alternate your GCC licence for a UAE one.Q. What if I used to reside in a GCC nation however now not do? In case your nationality isn’t from an accepted nation, you’ll have to cross concept and highway checks.Q. How a lot does it price to alternate a overseas licence within the UAE? The price is AED 600 by means of the MuroorKhous platform.Q. Which nations are eligible for direct alternate? GCC nations and 52 others; full record accessible within the article and on the Ministry of Inside web site.
