58,000 driving licenses from 57 countries were replaced with the Emirati license in Dubai last year

As part of the efforts of the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai to enhance the quality of life and facilitate and simplify procedures for foreign driving licenses for residents and visitors in Dubai, the authority replaced during the past year 58,082 foreign driving licenses issued by 57 countries whose driving licenses are recognized for being replaced with an Emirati licence, based on ministerial decisions and memorandums of understanding signed between the United Arab Emirates and the countries concerned.
Director of the Drivers Licensing Department at the Authority’s Licensing Institution, Sultan Al-Akraf, confirmed that the list of countries recognized for replacing their citizens’ driving licenses with the Emirati license includes 5 Gulf countries, 38 European countries, and 13 Asian countries, in addition to Latin American countries and an African country, noting that the latest countries added to the list are Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, North Macedonia, the state of Texas, and Croatia.
Al-Akraf explained that this service reflects the Emirate of Dubai’s orientation towards supporting international cooperation and providing flexible services that meet the needs of residents and visitors of different nationalities, and enhances its position as a preferred global destination for living and working, in line with the goals of quality of life and ease of transportation.
He added that the driving license replacement service is available through the Authority’s website, or through the customer happiness centers spread across the Emirate of Dubai, provided that the procedures are completed by conducting an eye examination at one of the approved eye examination centers, submitting the application, presenting the original license required to be replaced, and paying the prescribed fees, provided that the international license is valid, and in the presence of the applicant in person.
The Director of the Drivers Licensing Department indicated that this step comes in line with the UAE’s vision of developing proactive and effective government services, and establishing an integrated service environment that supports ease of movement and enhances the country’s attractiveness for living and working.