scrubbedexpat141

Read in a few places that to hire a car and whatnot you might need an International Driving Permit.

I intend on renting a car when I arrive early April for a month or two, before buying. I will of course head to get my driving license for the UAE etc, but wondered if I need to get this IDP?

Thanks in advance.
Si

fezzer

It's always a good idea to get a permit as you're supposed to have one. It's quite easy to get one from a post office. That said, i had no problems getting a hire car in Dubai without one on a UK licence. Remember though, as soon as you get a residency visa you can't drive until you get a local licence!

scrubbedexpat141

Quality, will nip to post office now and do it.

Thanks for the help mate.

kittycat1

I came over with an ITL but once your residence visa is in process it becomes invalid and you need a UAE licence which you cant get until yoru residence visa is complete- thats what the hire car company told me anyway. Year and a half later stillhavent got round to it!

soukie

If you have your residence visa you have to have a UAE driving licence. You have been lucky not to have had an accident as I am sure that that you would be fined very heavily and I think your insurance would be invalid!

kittycat1

Sorry Soukie you misunderstand- I'm still not driving here!

soukie

Oh right - that's good news!

lionheart

What does ITL stand for? If you return to the UK but your licence is no longer valid (ie. no UK residency) do car hire companies accept a UAE licence?

NorthernLad

I always use my UAE driving license abroad, keeps UK one clean.

kittycat1

ITL means really bad typing! IDL is what i meant!

jackthehat

Keep in mind that if you 'Swap' your UK Licence for one in the UAE it is invalidated automatically! - Something that DVLA have kept to themselves! The RTA in Dubai, inform DVLA of a Licence Swap! - I have a long string of Emails with DVLA, and now face having to take a Driving Test should I go back! You can use your UAE Licence in the UK for a year after arrival. If you leave the UK the 'Year' begins again! - Just like a Visa Flight!

Keep in mind that DVLA have also managed to lose the details of several million people! - Always keep a note of your Driver Number, and your old Licence; Pink, Green, or Photocard!

co durham boy

When hiring in the UK i use my U.A.E or Qatar license . All the major companies accept them at the airports and i've even hired locally in the UK with them as well , never any problems.

co durham boy

Why would you swap your UK license for a U.A.E one , never knew that option exsisted ?

Autonomy

I've never heard of this before? I don't think it's a swap, they just issue you the UAE one?

I've hired cars several times in several countries on the UK one even after have the UAE one issued?

scrubbedexpat141

Seems like different opinions / experiences here.

When I come over, I'll be getting a UAE license once I have my visa etc. Up until then I have the IDP now just in case.

Do you really have to give up your British license to attain a UAE one?