Hi all,

I know its a big ask but could someone explain the process and locations (that i can ask a taxi driver to take me to) that i need to visit to get a driving licence in Dubai, I hold a British license for both cars and motorcycles.

I am a Dubai resident although currently living and working in Oman having created my business in Knowledge Village recently.

thanks

Mike

I have no idea, just being nosey heading out next week and will need to get mine also

I did mine at the "Bur Dubai" Police Station, which is not actually in Bur Dubai, but next to Gold & Diamond Park. Process took 1.5 hours. Mind you, this was in 2004 and it may have changed slightly. Good luck.

As I recall I needed my home liscense, original and copy of visa and passport, plus an NOC from my employer to have a liscense. Not sure if same is required of business owners.

it shouldn't take more than around 20 mins...costs have gone up from 200 dhs to 410 now...the earlier you go, the less busy, but anytime before 10 should be ok...

you need your org license (if you have a british one, you'll need both the card and the paper bit), your passport/residency ********* a copy of both, non objection letter, passport pics (take at least 2 with you) and an eyetest certificate (100 dhs, you can do it there or at any optician in a mall)...
fill in form number 8, then go to the reception counter and they will check to see if all your paperwork is there and then give you your ticket number thing...when it's your turn they will want to know where you live and they want your local mobile number. After you pay you go all the way to left where you will have your picture taken, and after 1 min the license is ready.

Thanks Matahari, (great name by the way)

Your reply is really helpful but raises 3 quick questions for me…

1. Is there a standard format for a non-objection letter, i have my own business based out of Knowledge Village so i am guessing that i will have to raise my own letter?

2. Where is the licensing centre?

3. Is this all i need to be able to buy a car (other than the obvious having found a car to buy).

Thanks so much for giving me your time to reply.

Mike

NOC usually needs to be in Arabic, on company letterhead and with company stamp... didn't need to provide a NOC when I got my licence, but rules change here all the time...

Here's a location map:

you do need a NOC these days for sure...

you can get to the place by taking the sliproad in front of the Dubai Garden centre on SZR, (you will have already passed the building, it's visible from SZR) do a sharp left so you are going back so to speak, drive all the way to the end and you'll see it there, white building, typical Government type thing.
I believe there is a testing/registration station behind it next to the petrol station so if you had bought a second hand car you could meet up there and get the paperwork sorted.

Thanks everybody this is really helpful.

One slight concern is this NOC or non-objection letter that many of you are mentioning. i am a sole trader, free lance consultant working out of Knowledge Village Dubai (KVD) but actually seldom in Dubai. As such i am self employed and have no idea what an NOC would look like.

I have headed paper but is this something i should approach Tecom (who own KVD) for?

As ever very grateful for advice.

Mike

I think Mike owes us all a beer in Oman one day!

Hugely!!

Of course we could have a "MikeTemporarilyInDubai" session when i next come up!!

MikeStillInOman

yes, I'd say that would be a good idea, they provide the NOCs for people that fall under them so to speak, rather than the HR departments of their companies...

Here's a question while we are on the subject:

We all know that UK licenses can be transferred to UAE licenses but is the reverse also true? Could an expat who does their test here for whatever reason go to the EU and switch their license?

N.

no...

Any information to back that up?

N.

I looked into it cause my son will be 18 this year...although I researched it for Holland, as we are Dutch, so maybe it will be different for the UK.
For Holland it lists all the countries of the EU and something I guess that translates into European Union of Free Trade which includes Switserland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland...