Converting your foreign driving license to a UAE license requires a certified translation as the first step. Whether you are from an approved country eligible for direct conversion or need to go through the full testing process, the RTA requires your license to be translated by an MOJ-certified translator. We handle the translation quickly so you can proceed with your RTA appointment.
Clear photos of front and back of your driving license. Include any endorsements or restrictions.
MOJ-licensed translator creates RTA-ready translation with all license categories and validity dates.
Collect in Dubai or arrange courier. Many clients pick up on their way to the RTA center.
Urgent RTA appointment? Express service gets your translation ready in hours, not days.
Motorcycle, car, truck, bus - all license categories translated and clearly formatted.
We can confirm if your country is on the RTA approved list for direct conversion.
The UAE maintains a list of countries whose driving licenses can be converted directly without a driving test. This list includes most Western European countries, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, South Africa, and all GCC countries.
If your country is on the approved list, you need only provide the translated license, pass an eye test, and complete the RTA application. We can confirm your country's status during document review.
If your country is not on the approved list, you will need to take driving lessons at an RTA-approved driving school and pass the RTA driving test. The translated license is still required as part of your file opening.
Some nationalities have reduced lesson requirements based on their home country's driving standards.
After obtaining your translated license, you will need to visit a typing center to complete the RTA application forms and undergo an eye test. Many typing centers are located near RTA service centers.
The typing center will use your translated license to enter your details into the RTA system.
Standard car licenses (Category 2/B) are most commonly converted. Motorcycle licenses (Category 1/A) can also be converted from approved countries. Commercial categories such as heavy vehicles and buses have additional requirements.
Your translation will include all categories shown on your original license.
You can translate an expired license, but the RTA may have specific rules about how recently expired the license can be. Generally, licenses expired within the past few years are acceptable for conversion purposes.
Very old or long-expired licenses may require additional documentation from your home country.
Modern card-format licenses with information on both sides are common. We translate all information including the chip data representation, security features description, and any machine-readable zones if relevant to the RTA process.
We translate licenses from any language including Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Hindi, Urdu, and all European languages. Non-Latin script licenses are handled by translators familiar with those writing systems.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not a substitute for license translation in the UAE conversion process. The RTA requires translation of your actual national driving license, not the IDP. However, an IDP may be useful for temporary driving before you complete the conversion.
Every driving license translation includes:
Sent via WhatsApp and email. Some typing centers accept digital copies for file preparation.
Physical copy required by RTA. Includes official stamp, QR code, and translator license number.
Every license category, restriction, and endorsement on your original license is translated.
Collect from Dubai or have it delivered. Many clients pick up on their way to RTA.
Choose based on your RTA appointment timing:
24-hour delivery
6-hour delivery
1-hour draft
Residents across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah use our driving license translation for RTA conversion. New arrivals often need license translation alongside visa documentation and police clearance certificates.
For Golden Visa holders, license conversion is a common post-arrival need. We also translate degree certificates and bank statements for complete immigration packages.
The approved list includes most Western European countries, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, South Africa, and GCC countries. Send us a photo of your license and we can confirm your country's status and what process applies to you.
Standard service delivers within 24 hours. Express service completes in 6 hours for urgent RTA appointments. Many clients order express service in the morning and collect before their afternoon RTA appointment.
If your license is from a GCC country and already in Arabic, you may not need translation - the RTA can read it directly. However, some GCC licenses benefit from certified translation if any details are unclear or if additional documentation is needed.
Yes. We translate all license categories including motorcycle (Category 1/A), light vehicle (Category 2/B), and commercial categories. All categories shown on your original license are included in the translation.
Yes. Our MOJ-certified driving license translations are accepted at all RTA service centers across Dubai and the UAE. The translation includes the official stamp and QR verification that RTA staff can validate.
Send your document via WhatsApp for a free assessment. We will confirm requirements and provide a quote within 15 minutes during working hours.
Start on WhatsApp