Job Discussion Forums

[Bin Shafted]

Thanks Manny2.

You wouldn't know of any websites where I can get this kind of info. would you?

[Sheikh N Bake]

My first Dubai license was issued in 1997 and renewed five years later and it's valid until 2012. It says UAE and Dubai. Although I have, since 2002, lived in two other emirates, I keep my car registration in Dubai. How do I do that? Simple. I bribe people in Dubai. My car registration service company passes along the bribe. What do you think Dubai is--Singapore? It's more like a modern Casablanca (Bogart version). Why do I do that? To avoid the pain-in-the-*** bureaucracies in the other emirates, of course.

The rigorous standards of the driving lesson industry are a joke. One day about 8 months ago I parked between two yellow student-driver cars. I was only going into a restaurant for a minute to get my take-out order, but it was a big mistake. Two minutes later I return to the car to find an ugly dent in the left rear fender with yellow paint on it, and--naturally--no offending car in sight. Those driving instructors around here look like Taliban types anyway. Arrghh! Parking terrorists. Somebody issued a fatwah against my fender

[Longton]

I am on a 60 day visa visa and rented a car for two days last week WITHOUT an international license. I have a full UK license.

[Bin Shafted]

The problem is though I am a UK passport holder I do not have a UK licence...............and no possibility of getting one in the near future.

It's my understanding that I can only exchange a licence for a UAE licence if that licence matches my passport.............if you catch my drift.

I'm looking for a way around this as I don't want to go through the hassle of taking lessons and a driving test once in UAE.

Any suggestions?

Just to repeat my case, I have a Czech and a Saudi licence, UK passport but no UK licence.

Would it require a bit of wasta for me to get a UAE licence or is there a way I can get a licence without having to go through the test by exchanging either the Czech or Saudi licence?

[veiledsentiments]

I have found that in the GCC countries they will only accept a GCC license in exchange if you are a GCC citizen.

BUT, I don't know what would happen about the Czech license... and I suspect that we don't have anyone here that can do more than just speculate as I will do. One problem is that often the 'rules' are what the person at the window decides that they are that day. The day I went for mine, the fellow declared that my translation wasn't acceptable... although 5 of the other new teachers with the same translator and format had no problem within the previous 24 hours... and at the same time at another window.

It appears that you only have one option and that is to give it a go and see if you can slip that Czech license through. (don't even try the Saudi one - that will get even more attention) You will need to have the Czech license translated into Arabic. If it doesn't work, you will just have to accept the inevitable and do the lessons and test.

VS

[007]

[Longton]

Now that the Czech Republic is in the EC you may be able to exchange that license for a UK license without a test. But it may only work if you are a Czech national with a Czech license. Contact the driving authorities in Swansea. I'm told that you can't use an international license here once you have a residence visa so using an international license will only work for a short time.

[adorabilly]

So I remembered reading this thread before we came to the UAE.

When we got here, a tourist visa (for me the spouse) and my US drivers lisence was enough to drive.

Yesterday we went down and got our UAE lisences. It was simple, and easy. Total was 245 durhams, and took 30 minutes. We have recieved our residence visa, and have US drivers lisences so it was pretty easy. No test, no fuss.

thought I'd add that to help clarify this thread.

[Bin Shafted]

Update:

I was able to exchange my Saudi licence for a UAE one without any problem.

If you have been following this thread you'll know that I have a Czech and a Saudi licence but a UK passport.

I was told because I was a teacher it was possible to exchange the Saudi licence...................seems a bit odd but that's what they told me and I wasn't going to argue with them!

[ArtyCycle]

Hey Comrades,
I�m waiting for a green light to take up a job with the HCT in Abu Dhabi.

Could I get some advice as to my situation in not having vehicle licences. ( I had a car and bike licence for 15 years in Oz but let them expire in the late 80s when I was in Indonesia. I have had to start all over again once I got back here. Have failed my car licence twice .... but have passed my motor cycle learner�s which requires 3 more months before I can convert it to a proper licence. )

So could anyone inform on following queries?

1. Will it be a hassle in cost and or time and stress if I go for a car/ bike licence from the start in Abu Dhabi?

2. Is public transport OK? Is it air conditioned? Are there trains? Pickpockets? Staring? Or might it be a way to see how Emiratis are what they�r e like? Even a place to strike up a conversation?

3. Do people ride motor cycles there? Is it safe? Does the heat make it out of the question? ( Am I right in the understanding that 40 to 50 degrees is the common range for most of the year.) So would wind burn be a problem? Is it uncomfortable. Any bike riders there?


Sure would appreciate any comments.

[Takahiwai]

For the poster with a licence from one country and a passport from another - you will have to sit the road test at least. The UAE authorities will not simply transfer your licence. For the record, at least out here in the middle of nowhere, the road test lasts approximately two minutes

[veiledsentiments]

Look up the thread takahiwai... someone just did it... probably under the "rules are made to be broken" rule at the DMV.

VS

[NadiaK]

Bin...glad you managed to do it. I was in an almost identical situation to you, and I did not have your luck . Am still driving license-less (haven't plucked up the courage to take the lessons, tests etc...)

I happen to think that a lot depends who is on duty when you go in, and the kind of mood they're in.

[scot47]

Trains ? In UAE ? Really !

[Longton]

I know a Kenyan passport holder with a UK licence and he changed the licence in Dubai without any hassle.