Job Discussion Forums

newtogolf · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 49

Though I was told that I need to bring my home country driver's licence to drive in UAE, I am still wondering if an international driver's licence will also work. I saw on other forums people used international driver's licence and didnot have problems with police there.

The reason I am asking is that my home country driver's licence is way much much more expensive than the international one.

Thank you very much for any input!

jdl · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 632 Location: cyberspace

Do you have a license from your home country? Is not a current/valid license required in order to get an International one.

johnslat · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 3:06 pm Post subject:

Dear jdl

It is - at least in the US:

"Before you travel the world, travel to any AAA office for your International Driving Permit. Bring your valid U.S. driver's license, $15 plus tax, and two ORIGINAL passport-size photos (also available at AAA offices)."

newtogolf · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 49

Thank you both for the response.

So, the international driver's licence will work in UAE, right? It's 16 dollars now.

johnslat · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 3:15 pm Post subject:

Dear newtogolf,

It would seem so:

Geographical Areas Which Honor International Driving Permits (Convention on Road Traffic, United Nations, Geneva 1949) as of June, 1996

United Arab Emirates*

*Not party of 1949 Convention: International Driving Permit honored.

HTTP://WWW.AAA-NEWMEXICO.COM/TRAVEL/IDP.ASPX

http://www.worlddriversclub.com/conventionun.aspx?ln=en

Regards,
John

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

I don't think the international driver's license is acceptable as a substitute for a government issued driver's license in the GCC. Check with a car rental agency - they might be able to advise

johnslat · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 4:17 pm Post subject:

Dear helenl,
Darn good idea.
Regards,
John

Afra · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 389

If you are resident and want to drive, you must have a UAE licence which will be issued against your home country one.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Don't bother with an international driver's license. (unless a car rental company tells you that you need one to rent) Once you have your residence visa, you must have a local license... true in Oman, the UAE and Kuwait. If you are from North America or Europe or Oz, your license will be quite easily changed to a local license with only the proper paperwork from your employer.

If you are not from the areas listed, you will need to take the lessons and test. You will also have to do so if you don't have a current home country license. So... get that home country license!!

VS

lynneireland · Joined: 02 Apr 2008 Posts: 11

Hey I don't have a full license just an irish provisional one. That allows me drive in ireland as long as I have a licenced passenger in the car. I was wondering if you need a full license to drive in dubai or will a provisional one suffice?

Iamherebecause · Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 10:22 am Post subject:

Most car hire places require an international licence from visitors. (some of the smaller hire offices might not be so fussy but don't count on it). If you are a resident you need a full UAE licence to drive here.

If your country is on the list of countries where you don't need to take a test to get a full UAE licence, here you must have a full licence from your home country.

In the UAE you can get an international driving licence against your UAE licence at post offices.

007 · Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 10:50 am Post subject:

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

When I got my Drivers License here, my International License was ignored in favor of the country of origin one. How can you possibly get an International License without having a home country one anyway? And, NO, a provisional license is not an acceptable form to get a local license. Where all this makes a difference is the length of time it takes your company to produce your Letters for you. Your employer needs to first have your work contract signed off by the MoL, once that is done, you can apply for your permanent residency and only then can you get your local Drivers License and to do that, your company must provide a Letter of Authority. If you don't have that letter, don't expect to be given a local license, they won't break the rules for anyone. In the meantime, if you think you need a car, you'll need to hire one and it's then that an International License may prove to be a benefit.

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

When I got my Drivers License here, my International License was ignored in favor of the country of origin one. How can you possibly get an International License without having a home country one anyway? And, NO, a provisional license is not an acceptable form to get a local license. Where all this makes a difference is the length of time it takes your company to produce your Letters for you. Your employer needs to first have your work contract signed off by the MoL, once that is done, you can apply for your permanent residency and only then can you get your local Drivers License and to do that, your company must provide a Letter of Authority. If you don't have that letter, don't expect to be given a local license, they won't break the rules for anyone. In the meantime, if you think you need a car, you'll need to hire one and it's then that an International License may prove to be a benefit.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Any newbies coming to the Emirates... if you are from one of the countries with direct exchange of licenses... get your home country license and if you already have one, make sure it has a few years to run, not just months.

It will save you major headaches. The whole driving lessons and exam system is a bit of a scam to separate you from your money. It often takes months and they arbitrarily fail people to make them take the lessons again.

VS