Re: Advice on Driving Licence process
 

guess if you'd google something like valid foreign driving licenses UK you'd get your answer...

Re: Advice on Driving Licence process
 

Interesting Seems odd that you can switch your license one way but not the other. I suppose this can solved by simply getting an International License anyway.

Re: Advice on Driving Licence process
 

Hardly surprising... the standards are somewhat different in each direction.

Re: Advice on Driving Licence process
 

exactly...I would have found it more odd if just any banana republic driving license would be valid in Europe...

plus it's not like everybody can just exchange their license in the UAE as well...there is a long list of countries excluded.

Re: Advice on Driving Licence process
 

But normally countries have reciprocal agreements - we drive on a different side of the road and follow the rules a lot more closely in the UK yet we can turn up here and get a UAE license easily. Seems odd they don't allow the reverse (say with a good conduct report from your insurer/police etc).

I decided to look it up and this is the list of countries who can exchange their licenses for a UK one:
Gibraltar, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Falkland Islands, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea*, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland and Zimbabwe.

A Brit who learns to drive in the UAE would have to take their test again if they wanted to drive in the UK for more than 12 months. Someone from Zimbabwe - which is known for it's developed infrastructure and good standards of driving would be fine to get a UK license however :confused:

I think most EU license holders don't need to exchange and can carry on as normal too. I find it odd that the USA is not on this list but South Africa and Zimbabwe are...

N.

Re: Advice on Driving Licence process
 

This all sounds like a lot of effort if you are moving you need all your paper work in check.

What if there are only ten days to go and open an account, find a house, buy a car etc...can I buy a car without a local license? then When I get things like an address get it then or does it have to be in the order have a fixed abode then apply for license then buy a car

Cheers all
Z

Re: Advice on Driving Licence process
 

why would you want to? You wouldn't be allowed to drive it.

hire car on IDP -> residence visa -> UAE license -> hire car -> buy a car

Re: Advice on Driving Licence process
 

I'd be surprised if you can manage it all in 10 days...you can't do much without your residency visa, so you will need to get that sorted first which may take up a week or more (have a search, there was a thread about it not so long ago)...
without it you cannot rent a property, or get a driving license and without a driving license you cannot buy a car...
you can open an account (but not sure if that's the same for all banks) but you won't get a cheque book, and without a cheque book you cannot pay the rent etc, unless you want to do cash....
you don't need a fixed adress for your driving license, they only ask you what area you are staying in but it's ok to just give the area of the hotel you are staying in...

Re: Advice on Driving Licence process
 

Cheers Millhouse - I take it that has cost me a beer when I arrive ;)

Re: Advice on Driving Licence process
 

Thanks MataHari - I plan on doing what I can in ten days then coming back to do the rest a week later (work and year end seems to get in the way of doing the lot then coming back:frown:), plan is to have as much sorted as possible so when I come back to pick my other half and dinky little baby up they don't have to live in a tent and get around in cabs.

So much to do so little time
Z

Re: Advice on Driving Licence process
 

well without a visa there is nothing you can do (other than buy me that beer)... further, you might not be in possession of your passport while they are sorting out your visa so these plans may not play out. good luck though!

I've never been without my passport more than 2 days but I've been lucky to have very efficient PROs (and government sponsors). It'll be different for most I'm sure.

Re: Advice on Driving Licence process
 

well, please be aware that without the residency there is nothing to do, it seems like you are a bit in denial about that little bit of info...
all you can do is have a look round, see which area you want to live, maybe do a few viewings with an estate agent...other than that I have no idea really...no one will touch with without the right paperwork...

Re: Advice on Driving Licence process
 

Visa was all sorted a when I popped out last time - couple of weeks ago, as has most of paperwork - it is now just the finer details, such as setting up a home in quick time, and by home that is everything including what is parked outside ;) Looks like it will have to be two more trips to ensure it is all done properly. Just not sure how long each part of each activity takes

Re: Advice on Driving Licence process
 

you have a sticker in the passport?

Re: Advice on Driving Licence process
 

ok...I will take your word for it then...

renting a property...all depends really...if it's already empty, painted, maintenance done and cleaned it makes it easier...it will depend on the agent and the landlord in case as how long it will take...the agent will have to get all the paperwork sorted out and some landlords are very slow with providing the necesarry documents...
Dewa is done within 24 hours, but again, only with the correct paperwork and you need to be aware that they now only connect when the final bill is paid by the previous tenant...so you need to make absolutely sure that your agent provides you with a copy of that bill and that it actually has the 'paid' stamp on it, otherwise you end up with a property without water and electricity...seeing that happening now and it's a nightmare for the new tenants!
Still think you need to get the bank account sorted first, as the chequebook thing can take time, they will need some sort of proof of payment, I am dealing with someone now who only gets her chequebook when her first Dubai salary is put into the account which is seriously delaying her sorting out her apartment...

ideally, your employer should put you and your wife in a hotel or serviced apartment for the first month so you have time to sort everything out.