UAE Residents Can Now Drive in 52 Countries Without a Driving Test

The UAE’s Ministry of Interior has expanded its driving licence recognition policy to include tourists from 52 countries, allowing them to drive legally in the Emirates using their home-country licences—no temporary permit required, as long as they’re not legal residents.

The update falls under the Markhoos initiative, which aims to make driving in the UAE more accessible for international visitors.

For foreigners relocating to the UAE, the policy also allows for a direct exchange of foreign licences—no driving test required—as long as six basic conditions are met. These include holding a valid licence from one of the approved countries, being of legal driving age, passing a vision test, and submitting the necessary documents (like an Arabic translation and a copy of the original licence). Where applicable, the original licence must also be surrendered.

The approved list includes countries such as the USA, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Australia, South Korea, and South Africa, among others with reciprocal recognition agreements. The full list of eligible countries is available on the Ministry of Interior’s website or via the Markhoos platform, which also handles all applications.

The policy extends to UAE nationals abroad as well, ensuring smoother, mutual recognition for Emiratis driving overseas.

Applications are fully digital, processed through the Ministry of Interior’s Markhoos platform, available via app and smart services portal. A fee of AED 600 applies for licence exchanges.