UAE international Driving License validity: A Comprehensive Guide
Up till 2000, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was just another county on the world map. Today, UAE attracts millions of tourists every year around the world. Dubai alone had 15.79 visitors in 2017. According to the latest statistics, Dubai hosted 11.4 million international visitors by 2022.
UAE boasts a unique culture along with modern and unique attractions. Several companies have opened offices in the UAE because of the ease of doing business there. Also, along with desert rides, extravagant shopping malls, and scenic spots have rightly made the UAE a tourist hub.
As a tourist, one of the most distinctive features of UAE life is the driving experience. The Emirates has a well-developed road infrastructure and driving down the UAE highway roads is a memorable experience you can get. However, driving without an international driving license in Dubai can land you in jail and/or a hefty fine.
There is also a slight chance that you might be deported and permanently banned from revisiting the UAE. The good news is that if you are a regular driver in your home country and hold a valid driving license, you can drive in Dubai as well without any worry.
International driving license validity allows travelers to drive in different nations legitimately and safely, with a lot of peace of mind, without being confronted by traffic police or being fined.
UAE International Driving License Valid Countries
Living in the UAE, you might wonder whether you can use your UAE driving license abroad or if it is even accepted in other countries. The answer is: Yes! A total of 100 countries around the world accept an international driving license from Dubai.
However, it must be kept in mind that the UAE does not accept driving licenses from all countries on the world map. Presently, the list contains UAE international driving license Valid countries list.
As a tourist, your home country’s driving license might not be acceptable if it is not present in the list below. If that is the case, you will need an international driving permit, which is issued by your home country.
International Driving Permit UAE
As a UAE resident or citizen, if you intend to drive or rent a luxury car in a foreign country, then it is required to apply for an International Driving Permit. The IDP is also a United Nations Regulated travel document that allows motorists to drive their vehicles outside the UAE legally. There is no need for further tests and applications in it.
The driving permit in UAE is valid for one year and the following document is required to get it:
- IDL form.
- Copy of Emirates ID.
- Copy of passport and valid residency.
- Copy of UAE driving license.
- Two passport-size photographs.
You can get IDP from the following entities:
- Automobile and Touring Club of UAE (ATCUAE).
- RTA offices.
- Emirates Post offices.
- Dnata office in Sheikh Zayed Road.
Which Country Driving Licence Is Valid in UAE
The following is a list of 100 countries that accept Emirates driving licenses, as issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation (MoFAIC).
| Asia | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Armenia | Azerbaijan | Bahrain | Bangladesh |
| Brunei | China | Hong Kong | India |
| Indonesia | Iran | Iraq | Japan |
| Jordan | Kazakhstan | Kuwait | Lebanon |
| Macao | Malaysia | Mongolia | Oman |
| Philippines | Qatar | Saudi Arabia | Singapore |
| South Korea | Sri Lanka | Taiwan | Thailand |
| Turkey | Uzbekistan | Vietnam | Yemen |
| Africa | |||
| Algeria | Egypt | Ethiopia | Gabon |
| Ghana | Kenya | Madagascar | Morocco |
| South Africa | Tunisia | Niger | Seychelles |
| Europe | |||
| Austria | Belarus | Belgium | Bulgaria |
| Croatia | Cyprus | Czechia | Denmark |
| Finland | France | Georgia | Germany |
| Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland |
| Italy | Latvia | Liechtenstein | Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | Malta | Montenegro | Netherlands |
| Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania |
| North America | |||
| Canada | Colombia | Costa Rica | El Salvador |
| Guatemala | Honduras | Jamaica | Mexico |
| Nicaragua | Panama | United States | Cuba |
| South America | |||
| Colombia | Ecuador | Paraguay | Peru |
| Trinidad & Tobago | Uruguay | Venezuela | Argentina |
| Oceania | |||
| Australia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain |
| Sweden | Switzerland | Ukraine | United Kingdom |
Benefits and Limitations of an International Driving Permit in the UAE
Having a valid UAE driving license provides many benefits to people who are looking to travel abroad. IDP is an easy-to-understand process through which tourists can obtain a license. Emiratis can now apply for licenses and use them in other countries much more easily.
Moreover, the UAE driving license is much safer and more secure than other forms of identification. It is because of the chip embedded with the driving license, containing all your personal information that is only readable by authorized personnel. This makes it harder for criminals to steal your identity and use it for the wrong purpose.
Also, having an International driving license in Dubai helps you to save money on international car rentals. This is because many car rental companies in UAE offer discounts to those having an international license. This saves you a lot of money while in the UAE when you are traveling.Additionally, if you are a UAE driving license holder and want to know how to renew it online, we provide detailed guidance. Renewing your license online saves time and effort, and is a convenient option.
Conclusion
As said before, the driving experience in the UAE is like none other. The chance to drive in deserts and superhighways is not something that a person can experience in their daily routine. You can get the best off-road tires for desert driving in UAE from PitStopArabia.
UAE driving license is valid in the 100 countries listed above including KSA, Oman, and Kuwait. A foreign driver's license will be required if you are a resident of one of these countries and wish to drive in a country other than the UAE. Therefore, make sure you have a valid driving license to get the best experience.