Holders of driving licenses in both the UAE and Texas can now replace their driving licenses without undergoing knowledge or road tests. The UAE Ministry of Interior has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Public Safety of Texas, enabling mutual recognition and replacement of driving licenses issued by both entities.
This initiative aims to streamline procedures and ensure ease of movement for residents and visitors from both sides.
Markhoos initiative
In general, individuals holding U.S. licenses have long been able to convert their licenses to be able to legally drive in the UAE under the ministry’s Markhoos initiative. They are among those who can exchange their licenses for a UAE-issued one without having to undergo tests.
The Markhoos initiative provides these services to license holders from 43 countries including Estonia, Albania, Portugal, China, Hungary, Greece, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Slovak, Slovenia, and Serbia. The list of countries that are eligible to swap a driving license from their home country for a UAE license also includes France, Japan, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany and Italy, among others.
Read: Salik expands reach, to offer services outside Dubai
How to convert a license in Dubai
In Dubai, conversions can be made through the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) application. Meanwhile, in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, the respective police departments oversee the conversion.
In Dubai, it will cost expats around AED870 to convert their driving license to a UAE one. The fees include AED200 to open your file with RTA, AED600 for the issuance of the new Dubai license, AED50 for a traffic manual, and AED20 or more for ‘Knowledge and Innovation’ fees.
Dubai resident who wishes to convert their driving permit to a UAE license also need to present an Emirates ID, their original driving license, a legal Arabic translation of their driving license, a no objection certificate (NOC) from their sponsor, two passport-sized pictures, a completed application form, and a valid eye test result from one of the eye test centers accredited by RTA.
