Getting a driving licence in the UAE is at the top of most foreigners' priority list. While the majority of residents must pass several tests before being granted a licence, there are a few countries where licence holders are exempt from this requirement and are permitted to drive.
Within the 'Markhoos' initiative, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) provides a service that facilitates the exchange of driving licences. It allows tourists to drive with their national licence or exchange it for a UAE licence if they have a resident visa.
According to a list issued on the MoI's website, licence holders from the following 43 countries are permitted to exchange their home country's driving licence for a UAE one:
List of exempted countries:
Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Slovak, Slovenia, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and United State of America.