# Exchanging a foreign driving licence in Dubai

> If your licence was issued in a country eligible for exchange, a Dubai resident can exchange it at RTA with an Emirates ID and an eye test. The fees total AED 1,050, and the service is instant.

- Section: Relocation › Driving › Driving licence
- Last updated: 2026-11-12
- Source: https://staging.nuzan.ai/en-ae/knowledge/driving-licence-exchange

## Who can exchange

Some expatriate residents can exchange a valid driving licence issued by their home country; the applicant must be at
least 18. \[1] In Dubai, the RTA service is for residents with a valid licence issued in one of the countries eligible
for exchange, which RTA lists on its service page; for some countries a legalised translation of the licence is
needed. \[2] Some visitors may drive on their national licence and exchange it if they are going to live in the UAE,
under the "Markhoos" initiative. \[1]

## What you need

For a resident with a Dubai visa: a valid Emirates ID, a valid electronic eye test, and the original driving licence. \[2]
Take the eye test at one of the accredited eye test centres; it costs AED 140 to AED 180, depending on the centre. \[2]

## Fees

| Item | AED |
| - | - |
| Traffic file | 200 |
| Driving licence | 600 |
| Handbook manual | 50 |
| Electronic eye test at the eye test centres | 180 |
| Knowledge and Innovation | 20 |
| **Total** | **1,050** |

Adding a new category based on an exchanged licence costs AED 400 (licence AED 200, eye test AED 180, Knowledge and
Innovation AED 20). Delivery is optional, from AED 20. \[2]

## How long it takes

The service is instant, on RTA's website, at its Customer Happiness Centres or at vehicle registration and inspection
centres. \[2]

## Sources

1. UAE Government portal, "Getting a driving licence" (updated 19 August 2026):
   <https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/transportation/Driving-and-licensing/get-a-driving-licence>
2. Roads and Transport Authority, "Apply for a New Driving Licence or a New Category Based on Exchanging Licences":
   <https://www.rta.ae/wps/portal/rta/ae/home/rta-services/service-details?serviceId=121>

Arabic version: https://staging.nuzan.ai/ar-ae/knowledge/driving-licence-exchange