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Driving License Dubai 2025: Conversion, Courses, Prices and Procedures

Get your driver's license in Dubai in 2025! Direct conversion for 20+ countries, school comparison, costs AED 3,500-9,000. Complete practical guide.

Published on

November 13, 2025

Driving License in Dubai: How to Obtain or Convert It in 2025

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Obtaining a driving license in Dubai is an essential step for any resident or expatriate wishing to move freely around the emirate.

Whether you want to convert your foreign license or take the exam for the first time, this comprehensive guide will walk you through all the necessary steps in 2025.

Who Can Obtain a Driving License in Dubai?

Residents and Expatriates: Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a driving license in Dubai, you must be a legal resident of the United Arab Emirates.

This means having a valid residence visa (Emirates ID) as well as a legal sponsor (employer, spouse, or family).

Tourists cannot obtain a Dubai driving license, but they can drive with their international license for a limited period of up to 30 days.

Minimum Age, Health Status, and Nationality

The essential requirements for obtaining a license are as follows:

Minimum age: 18 years old for passenger cars, 21 years old for heavy vehicles
Mandatory medical examination: vision, hearing, and physical ability tests
Medical certificate issued by a center approved by the RTA (Roads & Transport Authority)
No nationality restrictions: all legal residents can apply

Converting Your Foreign Driving License in Dubai

Countries Eligible for Direct Conversion

Région	Pays	Statut	Délai	Documents spéciaux
Europe	France	Conversion directe	3–5 jours	Attestation non-gage obligatoire
	Allemagne	Conversion directe	3–7 jours	Certificat médical + traduction
	Royaume-Uni	Conversion directe	5–7 jours	Légalisation consulaire
	Italie	Conversion directe	3–5 jours	Standard
	Suisse	Conversion directe	3–5 jours	Standard
	Pays-Bas	Conversion directe	3–5 jours	Standard
	Belgique	Conversion directe	3–5 jours	Standard
	Suède	Conversion directe	3–5 jours	Standard
	Autriche	Conversion directe	3–5 jours	Standard
Amérique du Nord	États-Unis	Conversion directe	5–7 jours	Permis de l'État obligatoire
Amérique du Nord	Canada	Conversion directe	5–7 jours	Permis provincial requis
Asie-Pacifique	Australie	Conversion directe	5–7 jours	Standard
	Nouvelle-Zélande	Conversion directe	5–7 jours	Standard
	Japon	Conversion directe	7–10 jours	Traduction officielle obligatoire
	Corée du Sud	Conversion directe	7–10 jours	Traduction officielle obligatoire
	Singapour	Conversion directe	3–5 jours	Standard
Autres	Afrique du Sud	Conversion directe	5–7 jours	Standard
Autres	Turquie	Conversion directe	5–7 jours	Standard

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💡 Tip: Always check the information on the official RTA website as agreements may change

Documents Required for Conversion

To convert your foreign license, you will need to provide the following documents:

Original driving license with certified translation into Arabic
Copy of Emirates ID and passport
Certificate of no objection from the country of origin (translated and legalized)
Medical certificate issued by an RTA-approved center
Recent passport-sized photos
Completed RTA application form
Conversion fees (approximately 200-400 AED depending on vehicle type)

Obtaining a Driving License for the First Time in Dubai

Approved Driving Schools

If your country is not eligible for conversion or if you have never driven before, you will need to go through an approved driving school. The main recognized schools are:

Emirates Driving Institute (EDI): The largest driving school in Dubai, with several centers and courses available in French.

Galadari Driving School: Reputable school with an excellent success rate and multilingual instructors.

Belhasa Driving Centre: Modern center with driving simulators and accelerated training.

Al Ahli Driving Centre: Affordable school with customized packages according to your level.

Training Steps

The learning process takes place in several mandatory stages:

1. Registration and medical examination: Validation of your fitness to drive by an approved doctor.

2. Theoretical training: 8 hours of mandatory classes on the Emirati road code and local specificities.

3. Theory exam: Multiple-choice test of 35 questions with a minimum of 24 correct answers to pass.

4. Practical training: Between 20 and 40 hours depending on your initial level (minimum 20 hours mandatory).

5. Final practical exam: Driving test with an RTA inspector on an urban route.

Cost and Duration of the Process in 2025

Rates by Driving School

École de conduite	Package débutant	Package expérimenté	Cours supplémentaire	Durée moyenne	Services inclus
Emirates Driving Institute (EDI)	4 500 - 6 000 AED	3 500 - 4 500 AED	85 AED/heure	8-12 semaines	Cours en français Simulateurs Support 24/7
Galadari Driving School	4 200 - 5 500 AED	3 200 - 4 200 AED	80 AED/heure	6-10 semaines	Instructeurs multilingues Fast-track disponible Taux de réussite élevé
Belhasa Driving Centre	3 800 - 5 200 AED	2 900 - 3 800 AED	75 AED/heure	6-8 semaines	Formation accélérée Simulateurs modernes Centres multiples
Al Ahli Driving Centre	3 500 - 4 800 AED	2 700 - 3 500 AED	70 AED/heure	8-10 semaines	Packages personnalisés Prix compétitifs Flexibilité horaires
Belhasa VIP Package	7 000 - 9 000 AED	5 500 - 7 000 AED	120 AED/heure	4-6 semaines	Service VIP Instructeur dédié Véhicules premium Priorité examens
Galadari Fast-Track	6 500 - 8 000 AED	4 500 - 6 000 AED	100 AED/heure	3-5 semaines	Formation intensive Examens prioritaires Support dédié

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💡 Tip: Prices generally include: theoretical training, theory exam, minimum 20 hours of driving, practical exam, and RTA fees. Additional lessons are charged in case of failure or need for extra training.

Average Timeframes by Candidate Profile

Profil du candidat	Durée minimale	Durée moyenne	Durée maximale	Facteurs d'influence
Conversion permis étranger	3 jours	5-7 jours	15 jours	Complétude des documents Traductions requises Légalisations consulaires
Débutant complet	8 semaines	10-16 semaines	24 semaines	Aptitudes naturelles Fréquence des cours Échecs aux examens
Candidat avec expérience	4 semaines	6-8 semaines	12 semaines	Années d'expérience Adaptation locale Confiance au volant
Formation VIP/Fast-track	2 semaines	3-5 semaines	8 semaines	Disponibilité intensive Priorité examens Support personnalisé

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📅 Optimal planning: Allow 2-3 months to obtain your license if you are a beginner, and start your procedures as soon as you arrive in Dubai to avoid waiting times during busy periods (September-December).

Practical Tips for Passing Your Dubai License

Tips for the Practical Exam

Passing the practical exam requires specific preparation for Dubai driving conditions:

Master parallel parking: Mandatory exercise often decisive, practice regularly.

Strictly respect speed limits: Radars are omnipresent, always maintain the authorized speed.

Signal all your direction changes: Systematically use turn signals, even for obvious maneuvers.

Check your blind spots: Inspectors verify that you physically turn your head before each lane change.

Stay calm with other drivers: Dubai has sometimes aggressive driving, keep your cool during the exam.

Before starting your activity, discover our comprehensive guide on commercial licensing in Dubai.

Useful Mobile Applications and Platforms

RTA Dubai (official app): Exam booking, file tracking, fine payment

Careem/Uber: For your travels during the learning period

Salik: Electronic toll management once you get your license

Dubai Police: Accident reporting and fine verification

FAQ: Driving License in Dubai

Can You Drive with a French License in Dubai?

Yes, temporarily. Holders of a French license can drive in Dubai for 30 days maximum with an international driving permit. Beyond that, conversion to an Emirati license becomes mandatory for residents.

What to Do in Case of Exam Failure?

In case of failure, you will have to wait 48 hours minimum before retaking the theory exam, and 7 days for the practical exam. Refresher courses are often recommended. The number of attempts is not limited, but each new exam is paid (approximately 200 AED).

Is the Emirati License Valid in Other Countries?

The Emirati driving license is recognized in most Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain). For other destinations, an international driving permit remains necessary.

Obtaining your driving license in Dubai is an essential investment for your quality of life in the emirate. Whether you opt for converting your foreign license or complete training, proper preparation and choosing the right driving school will guarantee your success.

For any questions about settling in Dubai and administrative procedures, please consult our other guides or contact our experts.

Amary can also support you in all your procedures related to company formation in Dubai, thanks to the expertise of our specialists and the quality of their services. You can also consult our dedicated article on residence visa in Dubai.

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