Exchanging Driving Licences

[velocitas]

My latest project on my move to the UAE is to procure a local driving licence. However, as usual my situation is not quite straight forward.

I'm an Irish Citizen who for the past few years has been living in the Netherlands and thus hold a Dutch Drivers Licence. According to the RTA website you can only exchange your licence if it belongs to the same country as your passport.

It appears my options are return to Ireland, exchange my valid Dutch licence for an Irish one and then fly to Dubai to exchange it for a local Emirati Licence or fly to Dubai and pass my test locally.

Does anyone know of a 3rd option?

[velocitas]

Thanks all for your responses, it seems like everything else over in the UAE the policies aren't uniformly applied.

@XB70 - what was your outcome, if you don't mind me asking? I found that converter form previously but it came back with an error and asked me to call a local number.

Response from the Embassy in Dublin:

Embassy said:

Good Morning,

First of all, the Irish driving licence is no longer valid for exchange in UAE. Even if it was valid, as your nationality is Irish, Dutch licence will not be accepted as it has to be of the same country as the Nationality. Once you are the holder of UAE residence permit, you will have to apply for a fresh driving licence from the UAE authorities.


Thank you

Embassy of The United Arab Emirates
In Dublin

[velocitas]

Just to close this one out if it helps anyone in similar situation. I went to the RTA in Abu Dhabi with:
- Arabic translation of the Dutch license
- Emirates ID
- Passport with Residence Visa

Queued up for 10-15mins, handed over the above, paid the money and 5 minutes later left with a new license. Absolutely no conversation or issues - probably the most efficient service I've had here.