Hi Guys, Hope all you lot are doing well.
This is my first post in Expat Forums. Just been in abu dhabi for a month and a half and seriously things are so confusing. Everyone tells you a different story on how to get things done here. I am sure its not the fault of the expats rather it comes down to the people on the other side of the counters.
Anyway I have got my License Replaced today. I have a UK DL license which is valid till 2015. I am a PAKISTANI national and for that reason alot people told me that it is impossible to replace your DL. You have to be national of the same country that you hold the DL for. Although I was not satisfied by there answers as what has the passport got to do with your driving skills. Also I wanted to clear all the misinformation that has been going around that Passport has to be the same in case you want to replace the DL of the accredited countries.
It was actually very easy for me get the license replaced.
Got all the docs ready.
1. Letter from the employer.
Normally your company will also provide you with the photo copy of your passport, Visa Stamp and Emirates ID. In case they do not provide get the photocopies.
2. Legal translation of your UK DL.
Also they typing centre will provide you with the translation and also a copy of you DL so no need to photo copy your license separetly.
3. UK DL original & and counterpart original with photocopy of counterpart.
4. Passport
Then I went to the murror license department. There was a huge que at the information desk. On my turn I just showed him my UK driving license and said I wanted to replace my DL. He said I want to see the Arabic translation. I showed him the translation and he gave me the token.
Waited for a while until i was called. While I was waiting I got all my docs together. Arabic translation of my license at front. Then letter from employer and lastly my passport photocopy, visa stamp and emirates id.
As I was called I approached the desk with a smile and said Asalam O Alikum. (Seriously this helps alot). Gave her the documents without saying another word. She looked at the documents and asked for my UK DL. Matched it with the translation and gave me a few docs back. Then she asked my mobile number and took my photo and asked me to pay 200 AED. After that I was asked to wait for 10 mins until my license is printed.
They called my name and here I am with my UAE DL.
without even the eyetest or a photo. probably today is my lucky day also its my DOB too.
Anyway my experience was really good and I know most of you didnt. But by this post I just wanted to let other know that you can actually replace a valid DL of any accredited country without having the passport from the same country.
Hope it helps a lot of you who are trying to find information regarding this. As I was searching on the internet like crazy. But didnt find a satisfying answer by anyone.
Good Day and do share your experience as it helps others.
This is my first post in Expat Forums. Just been in abu dhabi for a month and a half and seriously things are so confusing. Everyone tells you a different story on how to get things done here. I am sure its not the fault of the expats rather it comes down to the people on the other side of the counters.
Anyway I have got my License Replaced today. I have a UK DL license which is valid till 2015. I am a PAKISTANI national and for that reason alot people told me that it is impossible to replace your DL. You have to be national of the same country that you hold the DL for. Although I was not satisfied by there answers as what has the passport got to do with your driving skills. Also I wanted to clear all the misinformation that has been going around that Passport has to be the same in case you want to replace the DL of the accredited countries.
It was actually very easy for me get the license replaced.
Got all the docs ready.
1. Letter from the employer.
Normally your company will also provide you with the photo copy of your passport, Visa Stamp and Emirates ID. In case they do not provide get the photocopies.
2. Legal translation of your UK DL.
Also they typing centre will provide you with the translation and also a copy of you DL so no need to photo copy your license separetly.
3. UK DL original & and counterpart original with photocopy of counterpart.
4. Passport
Then I went to the murror license department. There was a huge que at the information desk. On my turn I just showed him my UK driving license and said I wanted to replace my DL. He said I want to see the Arabic translation. I showed him the translation and he gave me the token.
Waited for a while until i was called. While I was waiting I got all my docs together. Arabic translation of my license at front. Then letter from employer and lastly my passport photocopy, visa stamp and emirates id.
As I was called I approached the desk with a smile and said Asalam O Alikum. (Seriously this helps alot). Gave her the documents without saying another word. She looked at the documents and asked for my UK DL. Matched it with the translation and gave me a few docs back. Then she asked my mobile number and took my photo and asked me to pay 200 AED. After that I was asked to wait for 10 mins until my license is printed.
They called my name and here I am with my UAE DL.
without even the eyetest or a photo. probably today is my lucky day also its my DOB too.
Anyway my experience was really good and I know most of you didnt. But by this post I just wanted to let other know that you can actually replace a valid DL of any accredited country without having the passport from the same country.
Hope it helps a lot of you who are trying to find information regarding this. As I was searching on the internet like crazy. But didnt find a satisfying answer by anyone.
Good Day and do share your experience as it helps others.
