(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

Obtaining a driving licence in the UAE tops the list of priorities for most expats. While a majority of residents have to undergo several tests before being granted a license, there are a select few countries whose licence-holders are exempt from it and allowed to drive in the country.

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) offers a service that facilitates the exchange of driving licenses within the 'Markhoos' initiative. It grants visitors the right to drive with their national driving license or exchange it with a UAE license if they hold a residence permit.

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Nationals from 52 countries can now either:

• Drive in the UAE using their home-country licence while visiting, provided they hold a valid tourist or visit visa.

• Exchange their foreign licence for a UAE one without any theory or road tests when applying as residents.

This initiative aims to simplify mobility for expats and tourists, reduce waiting times, and promote international compatibility in driving standards. The process is fully digital through the Markhoos platform, making it faster and more convenient for eligible applicants.

Full list of eligible countries (2025)

Europe:

Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, Ukraine, Belarus

Asia-Pacific:

China, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Australia, New Zealand

Americas and others:

USA (including Texas), Canada, South Africa, Israel

Special conditions for some countries

• Japan, Turkey, Greece: Require official licence translations verified by their respective consulates.

• South Korea: Visitors cannot drive using a Korean licence; only residents can exchange it with an embassy-verified translation.

Licence for visitors and residents

The UAE has made it easier for visitors and residents to drive in the country and streamlined the process through two systems: recognition and exchange. These options ensure that eligible individuals can either drive using their home-country license or seamlessly obtain a UAE license without additional tests, depending on their residency status.

Recognition: For visitors and non-residents

They can legally drive in the UAE using their home-country license during their stay.

No UAE license or driving tests are required, as long as they are not applying for residency.

Exchange: For residents who have a valid foreign license

They can swap their foreign licence for a UAE licence without taking theory or road tests.

This is only possible after getting a UAE residence permit and meeting certain conditions (like eye test, fee, and approved nationality list).

These privileges usually apply to specific vehicle types (like motorcycles and light vehicles).

The eligibility depends on mutual agreements between the UAE and the foreign country, often formalized through Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). So, not all countries or all vehicle classes are automatically included-it's based on these agreements.

Driving in the UAE for GCC citizens

Citizens from Gulf countries can drive in the UAE using their home-country licence while visiting, without any additional permits or tests. However, once they become UAE residents, they must exchange their GCC licence for a UAE driving licence through the official system. The process through MuroorKhous digital platform will cost around Dh600.

For GCC citizens who are no longer residents of a Gulf country, the rules change. If they are from a nation not listed among the 52 countries eligible for direct license exchange, they must pass both the theory and road tests to obtain a UAE license.

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