International Driving Licence v's Dubai Licence

[Tina Trouble]

I am a British citizen moving to Dubai. Should I arrange an international DL before I move, or get a Dubai one when I am there? What are the advantages and disadvantages of both?

[Maz25]

You will need an international driving license to hire a car. Once your residence visa is issued, it automatically becomes illegal to drive on your IDP. You will then need to swap your license for a UAE license!

Good luck with the driving - you will understand what i mean when you get here and witness the atrocious driving on display! How some of these people managed to get a license is beyond my comprehension - they obviously cannot drive and have no notion of basic safety!!! Even asking taxi drivers to look where they are going seems to be too much to ask!!!! had planned not to drive but will now risk it - much rather have my life in my own hands!

[crazymazy1980]

Originally Posted by Tina Trouble

I am a British citizen moving to Dubai. Should I arrange an international DL before I move, or get a Dubai one when I am there? What are the advantages and disadvantages of both?

My brother works for Budget and says you don't really need one to hire a car with them. The UK Licence can be straight swapped to get a UAE one too (some countries have to do lessons first).

I'm just going to get a UAE one when I get out there.

What are others doing?

[Maz25]

Originally Posted by crazymazy1980

My brother works for Budget and says you don't really need one to hire a car with them. The UK Licence can be straight swapped to get a UAE one too (some countries have to do lessons first).

I'm just going to get a UAE one when I get out there.

What are others doing?

Most car hire firms do not ask to see it but if you plan to rent a car when you first arrive, you will need it. It's actually a legal requirement and if you are unfortunate enough to be stopped by the police or have an accident and you are unable to produce your IDP, you will be in serious trouble.

In regards to the UAE license, you can only get one once you have your residence visa in your passport. You will need to produce a copy of the visa (amongst other docs) to be able to swap your UK license.

[Spellbound]

I'm just going to switch mine over there. Out of interest, does anyone know what people have to do to pass a driving test out there?

[crazymazy1980]

Originally Posted by Spellbound

I'm just going to switch mine over there. Out of interest, does anyone know what people have to do to pass a driving test out there?

If it's like any other Middle Eastern country, I would hazard turning the engine over will get you a pass

[Maz25]

I have a UK license but with no passport to match, so I will have to take lessons. I still can't see what they can teach me other than how to drive like a maniac!! The driving standards here are totally non-existant and I fail to see how some people even managed to pass a test. By UK standard, most drivers here would be branded as downright dangerous!!

If you have held you license for more than 2 years, then you have to do a road test and a signal test (plus 20 lessons). If you a beginner or have held your license for less than 2 years, then you have to do the same tests as above plus a parking test and have to do a min of 40 lessons.

Last I heard, there is was a daily quota and apparently, eeven if you drive like a pro, you can still fail. Depends on the luck of the draw!!!

[crazymazy1980]

Originally Posted by Maz25

I have a UK license but with no passport to match

So to get a UAE Licence you need:

1 x UK Passport
1 x UK Driving Licence (Photocard and Counterpart)

Plus, some inordinate amount of passport photos and an equivalent number of random photocopies of visa...?

[macca_24]

Do don't mean swap as in physically giving them your IDL, handing it into them and them keeping it do you?

[sara81]

so am i right in thinking if you have uk license and uk passport you can do a straight swap into UAE license without being retested??