Can I use my domestic driving licence if I am moving to the UAE permanently?
If you’re on a visit visa and you’re from one of the 32 approved countries then you can hire a car. These countries include most of the EU as well as the USA, Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the GCC. Click here to see the full list of approved countries. Driving a privately owned vehicle is not allowed on an international licence. Once you have a residency visa you can apply for a permanent UAE licence which will be valid for 10 years. This will allow you to drive either a hire car or a privately owned vehicle. Until your residency comes through you can apply for a six-month temporary UAE licence, even if you are not a UAE resident, which allows you to drive a privately owned car. How do I get my hands on a permanent UAE licence? Nationals from the 32 approved countries can automatically transfer their driving licence, as long as the original licence is valid. You will need to take your foreign licence, your passport, an eye test certificate (you can have an eye
