Guide to Driving in the UAE: Rules, Licenses, and Tips for Tourists and Residents (2025)

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Are you guys planning to move to Dubai for a tour or any study purposes? It’s awesome! Then you need to familiarize yourself with the local rules and regulations of the UAE, including the traffic rules. It is crucial to have a thorough understanding of the rules while driving, and also don’t forget to get your license after flying to Dubai. 

This blog will help you to understand the necessary rules while driving and also will clear out your doubts about license-making for the UAE. Keep on reading, you’ll get what you’re looking for in this article!

New Guidelines for Driving in UAE (as of October 2024)

The government of the UAE has taken a significant step to boost road safety and promote a safe driving method through its Federal Decree Law (UAE). It is made for the benefit of the residents and tourists coming and residing here. The updated rules that are outlined are given below:

• Safety Rules: To control the speed limit is most important while driving near school areas, dispensaries, and animal crossing zones.

• Driving Duties: You should always carry your driving license with you so that you can show it whenever asked to. Accidents should be reported within 3 hours to the traffic department or cops to get the documents ready.

• Penalties: Penalties are stuck with the vehicles that are driven unconsciously, such as in the case of drugs and alcohol intake. Misusing number plates will send the person to jail. Hitting and running will also make you pay a fine of AED 50,000-100,000 or imprisonment for a year.

• Seizures of Vehicle: There’s a 30-day confiscation for such serious infractions—changing lanes, driving with phones, running behind a vehicle too close to collapse, etc. There’s a 15-day confiscation too for infractions like stopping immediately on the road without any emergency, changes in vehicles without approval, and many more. 

People are advised to follow these rules to avoid accidents and to promote a safe driving environment. The penalties are for real, as they’ll create a fear of being jailed among the residents and tourists too. 

Following Ways to Get a Driving Licence Ready for UAE

Let’s first understand how to get a license ready. Follow the steps given below:

Step 1: An individual should be 17 or older to be eligible to get a license for the UAE.

Step 2: The person should be medically fit and healthy and should show a health report as proof. 

Step 3: It is required to get approval from an RTA-approved driving school in Dubai. Such famous approved driving schools are Dubai Driving Centre, Emirates Driving Institute, etc. 

Step 4: After the registration for the driving license, you’ll automatically get your traffic file number. The following documents are required:

• A photocopy of your passport 
• A photocopy of your visa
• Original and a photocopy of Emirates ID card 
• Photographs of yours
• Eye checkup report 
• No objection certificate from the traffic department 

Requirements to Drive in UAE for Tourists 

You can easily go driving as a non-resident by using your international driving license. You can also rent a car, providing your passport, international driving license, and your credit card. Given below are some of the country’s names; if you belong to these countries, then you can transfer your license to a UAE license. 

• Australia
• Austria
• Bahrain
• Belgium
• Canada
• Cyprus
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Kuwait
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Oman
• Poland
• Portugal
• Qatar
• Romania
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Turkey
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

Apart from these mentioned countries, you need to clear a test in Dubai to obtain your driving license; otherwise, it is illegal to drive without it. 

Conclusion

If you’re getting a car rental service in Dubai, be prepared with the necessary documents to show as proof, such as an International Driving Permit with your own country’s license. It is for your safety purpose to provide all these requirements and also to check the condition of the car you’ve rented to drive. It should be smooth, check engine conditions, and check fuel tanks and tyres before leaving. Also, get your map ready to make your journey flawlessly amazing!