Before you start

A valid UAE residence visa and Emirates ID (you must be a resident)
Your original, valid foreign driving licence
A licence from a country on the RTA exchange list (otherwise you take tests)

Step-by-step

1
Check if your country is on the exchange list
As of 2026 the RTA exchanges licences from ~57-60 countries with no test — including the UK, most of the EU, US, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, and the five GCC states. Some entries are nationals-only; Singapore requires a knowledge test. If your country isn't listed, you must enrol at a driving institute and pass the tests.
OnlineWho: You——
2
Do the eye test
A valid electronic eye test is mandatory for all applicants. Take it at an RTA-approved optician (e.g. Al Jaber, Yateem, Grand Optics) or a Customer Happiness Centre; the result links to your file electronically.
In personWho: YouSame day≈ AED 140-180
3
Apply to exchange (online or in person)
Apply via the RTA website/app or a Customer Happiness Centre. Upload your original foreign licence, Emirates ID, and the eye test; provide a legalised Arabic/English translation if the licence isn't already in English or Arabic.
OnlineWho: YouSame day if documents are in orderSee fee breakdown below
4
Pay, surrender, and collect
Pay the fees, surrender your original foreign licence if required, and the Dubai licence is issued (digital licence is immediate; physical card by delivery). Non-listed countries instead complete institute training and pass the theory + road tests first.
In personWho: YouExchange: ~1 visit. Test route: several weeks.Licence AED 600 (within the bundle below)

Documents you’ll need

Valid Emirates ID (original)
Original valid foreign driving licence
Valid electronic eye test
Legalised translation of the licence (if not in English or Arabic)
Passport / visa copy (if requested)

Things most newcomers don’t know

GCC licences ARE on the exchange list in Dubai.

Unlike some neighbouring countries that tightened GCC rules, Dubai's RTA still lists Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia for direct exchange — but always re-check the live list, as it changes.

Source: RTA service page + Gulf News

The list shifts — check it the week you apply.

Dubai keeps adding countries (recent additions include the State of Texas, Croatia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Kyrgyzstan). What a year-old blog says may be wrong; the official RTA list is the only safe reference.

Source: RTA / Gulf News (2026)

Some countries are nationals-only or need a translation.

A few entries let only that country's nationals exchange, and any licence not in English or Arabic needs a legalised translation — missing this gets applications bounced.

Source: RTA service page

An IDP only covers you briefly as a visitor.

Once you're a resident with an Emirates ID, you're expected to hold a UAE licence; relying on a foreign licence or IDP after that can void insurance and draw fines.

Source: community-reported, verify

Common mistakes to avoid

Trusting an outdated country list instead of the live RTA list
Skipping the legalised translation for a non-English/Arabic licence
Assuming you can keep driving on a foreign licence/IDP after becoming a resident