Converting

[Gaffer]

OK ME Guru's here's one for you.

I have a ye olde worlde stylee paper driving licence (no points ) and I need a shiny new UAE driving licence.

Some people say I need to take a test, others say its a simple straight swap.

Anyone got the latest low down on licence conversions, or workarounds

Ta very muchly like.

Claire

[Fer]

Lurking with interest - Not out there yet, but have a paper licence to swap as and when I find something to do in the sand.

[shirt]

much like the passport, a uk driving licence makes things nice and easy.

you sit an eye test [can you see? - yes! - tick, you're done!] at an optician and then go fill the forms in at the RTA. there's a little mall on al wasl road nr safa park which has both in the same building. takes 20mins tops.

NB - i did have a PRO to sort out everything in advance and hold my hand, so don't expect it to be that easy! you also need your residence visa back before you can apply.

[dxbtiger]

I think you can get a temporary (6 month) one with a UK licence without a residence visa, sure I did.

The office is above Choitrams on Al Wasl nr Lloyds TSB main branch and Safe.

I did mine at the main office in Al Barsha which is closer to you if you are based at Saluki.

They even have the eye test room there as well

[Gaffer]

I am in no-mans-land at the moment. Did the medical on Sunday, so waiting for that to get back, then the fun starts.

Need driving licence, residents card, bank account, alcohol licence.

Have I missed anything out..?

I am in Al Barsha at the moment so not far from the MOT station / Times Square.

Claire

[Chilli]

You'll also need a No Objection letter from your employer, stating that they are happy for you to drive!

[oilydan]

Don't bother with the booze license, an hours drive away you save 30%.

I'm going on Friday if anyone wants anything?

[thb]

You should be fine with just the paper licence - if not, you'll need to apply to the DVLA in the UK for a photocard licence and then transfer. I wouldn't imagine that you'd need to go through the delights of doing the UAE test (mandatory 20hours of lessons before you can apply to take the test).

As for the booze licence, if you're a drinker (I'm not) and you have booze in the house - even bought from Duty Free or other sources, then you need a licence. AFAIK when you apply for one through the shops you get vouchers back to cover the cost of getting the licence.

Plenty of people live without a licence, but it only takes one annoying neighbour to complain to the police due to noisy dog/tv/car etc and if the police come round and spot booze in the house you'll be slapped with a fine or worse.

Like lots of things in Dubai, you can choose to ignore and get away with it - or you can stump up a little cash to ensure things don't bite you in the butt if things go wrong.

Just my 2 fils

[shirt]

booze licence isn't needed imo. plus is depends where you end up staying. i flatshare and only a leaseholder can hold a licence so i can't get one. isn't an issue as barracuda is much more fun [can't beat filling 2 trolleys!] and i go through duty free every few weeks. it's if the airport ever runs out of berry bros claret that i have a problem!

feels good having an illegal vice anyway.

[Mattt]

shirt said:

feels good having an illegal vice anyway.

Besides hookers and coke of course.

[Gaffer]

Sooo...I am now in posession of a shiny UAE silver driving licence.

I didn't need my paper licence converting.
Just pay up 130 AED for the typing but and eye test (eye test is 100 AED)

Then walk to another building and queue. Show them your UK licence and your passport and then hand over another 410 AED - then into a little room for a very bad picture to be taken.

5 mins later...you are legal to drive.

All for 540 AED and no driving test.

Super..!!!

Claire - now legal on the roads of Dubai..!

[K50 DEL]

Gaffer said:

Claire - now legal on the roads of Dubai..!

So that's where my car has got to then lol!!!

[Gaffer]

haha Nope. Just waiting on a part for yours, then chief mechanic will test it then you can have it back.

Don't want to drive customer cars out here unless I absolutely have to.

Claire

[oilydan]

Gaffer said:

Sooo...I am now in posession of a shiny UAE silver driving licence.

Silver means you are only allowed in lanes 1-3. Only Gold license holders are allowed in the fast lanes...

[Gaffer]

Have to catch me first

[Aused]

Gaffer said:

Sooo...I am now in posession of a shiny UAE silver driving licence.

I didn't need my paper licence converting.
Just pay up 130 AED for the typing but and eye test (eye test is 100 AED)

Then walk to another building and queue. Show them your UK licence and your passport and then hand over another 410 AED - then into a little room for a very bad picture to be taken.

5 mins later...you are legal to drive.

All for 540 AED and no driving test.

Super..!!!

Claire - now legal on the roads of Dubai..!

I am going through this at the moment. Did you need a letter from your employer? Emirates ID card application? I have an employment residence visa and have been told I need both these before I can get my licence. Also, did you need to get an Arabic translation of your licence? any answers appreciated.

[Gaffer]

Hi

I had my visa in my passport
My UK driving licence
Letter of No Objection from employer
Lots of money (but not enough although there is an ATM where I went)
Copies of visa / licence / passport

My licence wasn't converted but when I was doing the eye test a very nice man for 100 AED typed up the form in Arabic with all the details from the licence and passport.

Claire

[Aused]

Gaffer said:

Hi

I had my visa in my passport
My UK driving licence
Letter of No Objection from employer
Lots of money (but not enough although there is an ATM where I went)
Copies of visa / licence / passport

My licence wasn't converted but when I was doing the eye test a very nice man for 100 AED typed up the form in Arabic with all the details from the licence and passport.

Claire

many thanks

[Gentleman Geoff]

Aused said:

I am going through this at the moment. Did you need a letter from your employer? Emirates ID card application? I have an employment residence visa and have been told I need both these before I can get my licence. Also, did you need to get an Arabic translation of your licence? any answers appreciated.

Which Emirate are you in? I think Abu Dhabi are much more reliant/insistent on having an Emirates ID card for stuff like this than Dubai (where it's still a completely useless piece of plastic).

[Ron Fellows]

oilydan said:

Silver means you are only allowed in lanes 1-3. Only Gold license holders are allowed in the fast lanes...