TL;DR
- GCC nationals can drive in the UAE using their home country licence while visiting.
- Once a GCC national becomes a UAE resident, they must exchange their licence.
- License exchange is done via the UAE’s digital MuroorKhous platform for AED 600.
- Former GCC residents with non-approved nationalities must pass theory and road tests.
- The UAE now recognises and allows exchange with licences from 52 approved countries
Last week, the UAE government approved a major update to its “Markhoos” initiative under the Ministry of Interior. The decision expanded the number of countries eligible for driving licence recognition and exchange, reinforcing the UAE’s direction toward streamlining government services and improving mobility for residents and visitors alike. Among those covered by these developments are nationals from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, who already have unique arrangements with the UAE in terms of driving privileges. These arrangements, while long-standing, are now clarified and reinforced under the official license recognition and exchange framework, providing clear guidelines on what GCC nationals, expatriates, and former residents must do based on their residency status and nationality.
Driving in the UAE with a GCC-Issued Licence
Citizens of GCC countries enjoy broad flexibility when it comes to driving in the UAE. Their national licences are recognised under mutual agreements and require no further authentication during short-term visits. If you are a GCC national visiting the UAE, you may legally drive in the country using your existing national driving licence. This applies regardless of whether you are using a private car or driving a vehicle temporarily, such as during a visit. However, once a GCC national obtains UAE residency, they are required to apply for a UAE driving licence. This involves converting their home country’s licence through the UAE’s official exchange process. Continuing to drive with a GCC licence after becoming a resident is not permitted under UAE traffic laws.
Official Recognition vs. Exchange: Defined Under UAE Law
The UAE distinguishes between two licensing procedures: recognition and exchange. Each has specific requirements and is tied to the individual’s residency status and the nature of their visit.Recognition (for visitors) Recognition applies to individuals entering the UAE on a visit or tourist visa. It allows them to drive using their valid national licence without needing to apply for a UAE licence, provided the UAE has a reciprocal recognition agreement in place with the issuing country.Key conditions for recognition:
- The driver must not hold UAE residency.
- The driver must possess a valid national driving licence.
- The licence must cover the appropriate vehicle category (light vehicle, motorcycle, etc.).
- Recognition is limited to the duration of the visit or temporary stay.
This applies to both citizens and expatriates residing in GCC countries who are visiting the UAE temporarily.Exchange (for residents) Once an individual becomes a UAE resident, they are no longer permitted to drive using their foreign or GCC-issued licence. Instead, they must exchange their existing valid national licence for a UAE licence through the official channels.Eligibility and conditions for licence exchange:
- The applicant must be a citizen of a country approved for licence exchange.
- A valid UAE residence permit is required.
- The national licence must be full and permanent (not temporary or probationary).
- The applicant must be at least 17 years old.
- A vision (medical) test must be completed.
- Legal and administrative requirements under UAE law must be fulfilled.
- In some cases, the original foreign licence may need to be surrendered if required under the bilateral agreement.
Former GCC Residents: Specific Testing Requirements
A common situation arises with individuals who previously lived in a GCC country and obtained a driving licence there but are no longer GCC residents. Under UAE rules, holding a licence from a GCC country does not automatically qualify for exchange unless the applicant’s nationality is also from a recognised country. This means that an expatriate from a non-recognised country (not included in the UAE’s 52 approved nations or the GCC) who previously held a GCC licence must undergo testing before receiving a UAE driving licence.These applicants must:
- Pass the knowledge (theory) test.
- Pass the road test.
Driving classes are not mandatory in such cases, which helps reduce costs. The applicant can go directly to testing after opening a traffic file. Estimated cost range: AED 2,000 to AED 2,500, which may vary slightly by emirate or driving school. This includes:
- Opening a traffic file
- Taking the knowledge test
- Taking the road test
This regulation ensures that driving competence is assessed while recognising previous driving history, even if the applicant is no longer a GCC resident or citizen.
Application Process and Fees
All eligible applicants, including GCC nationals, residents from the 52 approved countries, and others qualifying under bilateral agreements, must complete the exchange process through the UAE’s dedicated digital platform.Steps to exchange a licence:
- Apply through the MuroorKhous online platform.
- Submit:
- A copy of the original foreign driving licence.
- A legal translation of the licence (if not in Arabic or English).
- Undergo a vision test at an authorised centre.
- Pay the AED 600 fee for processing and issuance.
- Choose between receiving the licence electronically or by courier.
The new UAE driving licence is issued without the need for further theory or road testing if the applicant meets all conditions under the exchange agreement.Also read: UAE now allows visitors from 52 nations to drive with their home country licenses
Countries Eligible for Recognition and Exchange
The updated list under the Markhoos initiative now includes 52 countries including the GCC countries. Citizens of these countries may either drive during their visit using their national licences or exchange them upon obtaining UAE residency: Estonia, Albania, Portugal, China, Hungary, Greece, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Cyprus, Latvia, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Malta, Iceland, Montenegro, Israel, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, the United States of America, France, Japan, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Ireland, Spain, Norway, New Zealand, Romania, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, Finland, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Canada, Poland, South Africa, Australia, Croatia, Texas, the Republic of North Macedonia, the Republic of Kosovo, the Kyrgyz Republic.Important Note: Citizens of South Korea are allowed to exchange their licence after obtaining UAE residency, but they cannot use their national licence during a visit for driving purposes.Q. Can I drive in the UAE with my GCC licence as a visitor? Yes, GCC citizens can drive in the UAE with their national licence while on a visit.Q. Do I need to exchange my GCC licence if I become a UAE resident? Yes, once you obtain residency, you must exchange your GCC licence for a UAE one.Q. What if I used to live in a GCC country but no longer do? If your nationality isn’t from an approved country, you’ll need to pass theory and road tests.Q. How much does it cost to exchange a foreign licence in the UAE? The fee is AED 600 through the MuroorKhous platform.Q. Which countries are eligible for direct exchange? GCC countries and 52 others; full list available in the article and on the Ministry of Interior website.
