RAK and Greek Driving Licences: Who Can Translate Them

The short answer

For most countries on RTA’s licence-exchange list, the rule is about whether a translation is needed, not about who must prepare it. Two cases are different:

• A licence for Ras Al Khaimah Police (MOI) licensing.
• A Greek licence being exchanged at Dubai RTA.

In both cases the translation is expected to come from a particular source, so we don’t take these orders. Here is what we know, and what to do instead.

Ras Al Khaimah: ask RAK Police first

In our experience, Ras Al Khaimah Police (MOI) licensing offices only accept driving-licence translations prepared by a small number of centres in Ras Al Khaimah. This isn’t a published rule. We have not found it in any written guidance, and we can’t give you a list of those centres.

That is why we don’t take RAK driving-licence translations. If you are exchanging or registering a licence in Ras Al Khaimah:

1. Contact RAK Police licensing before you order a translation anywhere.
2. Ask where the translation must be prepared and in what form.
3. Order it from the place they name.

That one call can save you paying for a translation twice.

Dubai rules don’t carry over to Ras Al Khaimah. Dubai licensing is handled by the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), Ras Al Khaimah licensing by RAK Police, and each sets its own requirements.

Greek licences in Dubai: through the embassy

RTA’s licence-exchange service publishes a table of the countries whose licences can be exchanged in Dubai. For each country it states who qualifies and whether the licence needs a translation. The entry for Greece reads:

• Nationality: Greek nationals only
• Translation: “Yes / embassy”
• Foreign licence withdrawn: yes
• Categories: light vehicle only

So for Greek nationals, the translation goes through the Greek embassy or a provider the embassy approves, not a private translation office in the UAE. In one case we saw, the applicant was told the translation had to be done by a translator certified by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A UAE translation office can’t meet that requirement, so we can’t provide this translation for Greek nationals.

If you hold a Greek licence, contact the Greek embassy or consulate in the UAE and ask how they handle licence translations for RTA. Then check the current RTA exchange service before you apply.

Each licence is judged by its issuing country

RTA decides, country by country, whether a licence needs a translation and what kind. In its table some countries need none, many need a legalised translation, and Greece points to the embassy. The same document can be fine for one country and wrong for another.

Whatever the translation, the receiving authority makes the final decision. A translation is one document in your file. Eligibility, licence validity, the eye test and the other requirements are assessed separately.

Before you pay anyone for a licence translation

• Confirm which authority you are applying to: Dubai RTA, Abu Dhabi, RAK Police or another emirate.
• Check the rule for the country that issued your licence, and for your nationality.
• Ask the authority what translation it wants and who may prepare it.
• If the answer names a specific centre or the embassy, order there.

For other licences and other routes, send us your licence and tell us which authority it is for. We check the route before you pay, and if we are not the right provider, we will tell you.

Related: Dubai RTA driving licence guide · UAE driving licence translation · Translation in Ras Al Khaimah