Drivers from more than 50 countries can legally drive in the UAE with their national licenses.

More than 50 nationalities in the UAE are allowed to drive vehicles using their national driving licenses without the need to undergo theoretical or practical tests, provided they are not residents of the country. The UAE Ministry of Interior announced that this rule applies to various vehicle categories, including motorcycles and light vehicles. For residents, there is an option to exchange their national driving license for a UAE license upon meeting specific requirements.

In its latest update on official social media channels, the ministry outlined six key conditions for exchanging foreign licenses for local ones when obtaining residency status. It clarified that the recognition of a national license applies to non-residents during temporary visits, while license exchange refers to replacing a foreign license with a UAE-issued document when a person becomes a legal resident.

The recently implemented federal traffic and road law exempts certain categories of drivers from obtaining a UAE license. These include drivers of vehicles registered abroad with valid foreign licenses recognized by the UAE, holders of international driving permits allowing them to drive during visits or transit, those with valid temporary foreign driving permits, and individuals permitted to stay in the UAE without residency status under the law and its executive regulations.

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