busybee2

Yeh its like the fact that people say that when I go into A&E or Spinneys or wherever, they do not ask for my liquor license, but as I tell them, that doesnt matter, they will not be the ones that will be in trouble, it will be you if you do not have one. If A&E didnt ask for it, what does it matter to them!

Mischief Queen

Visitors coming out soon have double checked with the UAE embassy and their car hire company and were told that the rules have changed since they stopped issuing temporary uae licenses (which you used to have to get to hire a car here). The countries that get a visa on arrival (same countries that don't need to re-take their test for a uae license if residents) do not need an IDP and can drive a rental car on their own country's license.

hnd

Thanks, all, for your comments.

Found this on British Embassy's site:

"Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel
British nationals possessing a visit visa may drive a UAE rental car using their British driving licence. Anyone applying for residence in the UAE may also drive on their British driving licence until such time as the residency permit is issued. Thereafter, a UAE driving licence is required. Expatriates with valid residency visas may obtain UAE from the traffic department."

Full information here:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-...-arab-emirates

MataHari

so what's the deal with driving a privately owned car (so no rental)...I always thought that without a UAE license, you were not allowed to drive someones car, but a client this morning told me differently...his wife hasn't got a UAE license as her residency visa isn't issued yet, but she is driving his car on her Dutch license...

GolfGardener

I thought that too until recently, but my insurer (Axa) assures me that this is perfectly OK providing the driver has an international license.

I'd still like to see it written down somewhere, but unfortunately I suspect the only way to test out the theory is to do it and then have an accident...

MataHari

I called the RTA, and they told me there is no issue, you can drive a privately registered car on your Dutch license (and I assume the same goes for a British license, as they fall under the same rules). No international license needed.

illujenz

I know of some residents who are using their license from their home country, I don't think its allowed.

JB22

you can drive arental on tourist visas until you get your residency visa arrives. saying that you could be on your tourist visa doing the oman boarder run for a while. i have heard that if YOU have an international driving licence you can drive a bought car but again once you get your res visa forget it and jump in a cab as your breaking the law and if caught you'll be buried in the desert up to your neck.