Dubai streamlines replacement of foreign driving licences

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) replaced more than 58,000 foreign driving licences in 2025, as part of efforts to simplify services for residents and visitors.

The licences covered 57 countries whose driving permits are approved for exchange with a UAE licence, under official agreements and ministerial decisions.

The RTA’s Director of Drivers Licensing, Sultan Al Akraf, said eligible countries include five GCC states, 38 European countries, 13 Asian and Latin American nations, and one African country.

Recent additions to the list include Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Croatia, and the US state of Texas.

The licence replacement service is available through the RTA website or at Customer Happiness Centres across the emirate.

Applicants need to undergo an eye test, submit the required documents, present their original valid licence in person, and pay the applicable fees.

By the end of December 2025, the UK topped the list for licence replacements with more than 13,000, followed by Turkey with nearly 6,900, and China with over 5,300.