[dune]

I am a Pakistani citizen. I just arrived in UAE from the US. I hold a US driver's license for the past 15 years, clean record.

How do I go about obtaining a Dubai Driver's license? More specifically, can I just transfer my US license? And where can I go do this? I tried looking for this info on Dubai government websites, but its hard to find stuff over there.

Much Appreciated.

 

[LongLiveDubai]

You can only transfer a license if you have a U.S passport as well. Only having a license does not qualify you to get a license without going through the normal process of taking classes and passing the test.

 

[Pink Fairie]

I am a Pakistani citizen. I just arrived in UAE from the US. I hold a US driver's license for the past 15 years, clean record.

How do I go about obtaining a Dubai Driver's license? More specifically, can I just transfer my US license? And where can I go do this? I tried looking for this info on Dubai government websites, but its hard to find stuff over there.

Much Appreciated.

What passport do you hold?

 

[dune]

I got a Pakistani Passport. US Social Security. US Maryland License for the past 12 years. US Work Authorization. I've been working in the US for the past 12 years, I just came here for a few years.

I've heard its still possible to get this transferred to a UAE license without any of those money hoarding classes and tests. Because it simply doesn't make any sense what Passport you hold. What should matter is what Driver's license you hold.

 

[basc]

I got a Pakistani Passport. US Social Security. US Maryland License for the past 12 years. US Work Authorization. I've been working in the US for the past 12 years, I just came here for a few years.

I've heard its still possible to get this transferred to a UAE license without any of those money hoarding classes and tests. Because it simply doesn't make any sense what Passport you hold. What should matter is what Driver's license you hold.

US license is only valid for transfer if you hold a US passport - if you have a pakistani passport then you have to do the classes and resit the tests. The same happened to my Indian colleague when he moved here from the US.

Of course it doesn't make sense, but that is the way it is unfortunately!

 

[Jynxgirl]

Sometimes some people, have gotten away with transferring a western dl for a uae one. It depends on what kind of mood the person sitting in the chair is in, how white/light skin you are, and if not white... how attractive or how much money it looks like you have.

 

[Pink Fairie]

I got a Pakistani Passport. US Social Security. US Maryland License for the past 12 years. US Work Authorization. I've been working in the US for the past 12 years, I just came here for a few years.

I've heard its still possible to get this transferred to a UAE license without any of those money hoarding classes and tests. Because it simply doesn't make any sense what Passport you hold. What should matter is what Driver's license you hold.

I completely agree, it doesn't make sense but unfortunately that is how it is I would give it a go first, you might be lucky and get someone who is in a good mood! Good luck

 

[Shark00]

I can tell you from personal experience that its possible to skip the driving classes..you should be able to convince them to let you do a "direct test" with the US license. But you still have to sit through the 8 hrs of classroom theory!! I argued like you about unfairness but get used to it...

 

[rsinner]

As mentioned above, you can skip the classes and directly take the test. BUT you might still have to pay for the classes

 

[waterproof teabag]

any idea if I can do a straight swap with UK license and passport from The Netherlands? Thanks

 

[rsinner]

any idea if I can do a straight swap with UK license and passport from The Netherlands? Thanks

I think you can. As long as your passport and DL are both from the list of 33/34 countries

 

[teuchter]

I think you can. As long as your passport and DL are both from the list of 33/34 countries

According to the official government website, in order to convert a foreign DL, both passport and DL must be from the same country - no exceptions. See here: Convert a foreign driving license to drive in Dubai

teuchter

 

[waterproof teabag]

Thank you Rsinner and Teuchter!

Sounds like I'll have to have a bit of a word with the manager then. I've not lived in the Netherlands for over 10 years and will not be able to get a drivers license from there easily. I have even got an international drivers permit to go with my UK license for what it's worth...

Is there anyone else here who has been in a similar situation (ie got drivers licence and passport from different countries but both from 'transferable' countries)? Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Actually, now that I have read the link given by Teuchter, I cannot find a requirement asking for DL and passport needing to be from the same country?

It says: "You have to be a citizen of the country given below with current resident status in UAE." Which I am.

"This means that former residents from these countries who may be holding permanent driver licenses are not eligible and you will have to follow all the steps to get a new license as given here." This is not clear to me. Both UK and NL are in the list so it should not be a problem?

 

[teuchter]

Actually, now that I have read the link given by Teuchter, I cannot find a requirement asking for DL and passport needing to be from the same country?

It says: "You have to be a citizen of the country given below with current resident status in UAE." Which I am.

"This means that former residents from these countries who may be holding permanent driver licenses are not eligible and you will have to follow all the steps to get a new license as given here." This is not clear to me. Both UK and NL are in the list so it should not be a problem?

'Residents' in this context means non-citizen of that particular country...

teuchter

 

[Tropicana]

It doesnt make sense unfortunately but that is the way it is.

According to the rules, an American citizen who has a 2 year old license and has caused 2-3 accidents can transfer his license automatically, but a Polish/German citizen who has an American license for 8 years and has never been in an accident still has to take a test....

Just as with loans/insurance matters; driving/borrowing history is not looked at, and all that matters is "passport" and salary certificate.

Thats just the way it is...

 

[teuchter]

I've not lived in the Netherlands for over 10 years and will not be able to get a drivers license from there easily. I have even got an international drivers permit to go with my UK license for what it's worth..

You could do the conversion to a Dutch licence on your next trip to NL; costs EUR 40 at your local council office (stadsdeelkantoor).

The IDP makes no difference unfortunately.

teuchter

 

[waterproof teabag]

You could do the conversion to a Dutch licence on your next trip to NL; costs EUR 40 at your local council office (stadsdeelkantoor).

The IDP makes no difference unfortunately.

teuchter

Thank you for the suggestion! Would that be any local council office? I am no longer registered there.

I've just read I need to be registered to be able to exchange it so that's no option. Bummer.

 

[teuchter]

Thank you for the suggestion! Would that be any local council office? I am no longer registered there.

Not sure. You might find the answer here: Rijbewijs.nl :: home or you could check with the Dutch consulate here in Dubai: Netherlands Missions, United Arab Emirates

teuchter

 

[waterproof teabag]

Not sure. You might find the answer here: Rijbewijs.nl :: home or you could check with the Dutch consulate here in Dubai: Netherlands Missions, United Arab Emirates

teuchter

Thanks again but I should have been registered. Frustratingly enough I only unregistered a couple of months ago but that's life!
Kan ik mijn buitenlandse rijbewijs omwisselen voor een Nederlands rijbewijs? | Vraag en antwoord | Rijksoverheid.nl

Sounds like I can only try have a word with the manager at the dubai licensing authority :boxing:

Thanks for your replies.

 

[teuchter]

Thanks again but I should have been registered. Frustratingly enough I only unregistered a couple of months ago but that's life!
Kan ik mijn buitenlandse rijbewijs omwisselen voor een Nederlands rijbewijs? | Vraag en antwoord | Rijksoverheid.nl

Sounds like I can only try have a word with the manager at the dubai licensing authority :boxing:

Thanks for your replies.

No worries - and good luck!

teuchter