08.10.2025
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What is it about? Russian driving licences are not valid in Dubai. Tourists who wish to rent a car and drive around the emirates must have an international driving permit.
What to consider? Those wishing to stay in the UAE for an extended period will need to obtain a licence from scratch: attend a driving school, study theory and pass exams. In 2023, the Golden Chance programme was announced, which allows remote verification of traffic rules knowledge without instructor training.
Many people wonder whether Russian driving licences are valid in Dubai. The answer is: citizens of the Russian Federation cannot use a driving license obtained in Russia in the United Arab Emirates.
During a one-year stay in Dubai, you can use an International Driving Permit (IDP). This must be obtained in advance, before travelling to the UAE, by applying at the MFC, traffic police (GIBDD), or through the Gosuslugi portal.
Required documents:
Please note! If you urgently need an international driving permit for your trip to Dubai, it's better to visit the GIBDD in person. In this case, you will receive your IDP on the day of application. The online application process may take up to nine calendar days.
Will a Russian driving license be valid in Dubai if you stay longer than 12 months? In this case, you will need to obtain a licence in Dubai (go through training, pass exams, etc.) and receive a local driving licence.
First, it should be noted that exams must be taken in the emirate where the resident visa was obtained.
What types of driving licences are there in Dubai? Below is a table showing the categories of driving licences in the UAE:
| Category No. | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Motorcycle |
| 2 | Passenger car |
| 3 | Heavy truck |
| 4 | Minibus |
| 5 | Bus |
| 6 | Light forklift |
| 7 | Heavy forklift |
How to get a driving licence in Dubai for Russians — a step-by-step guide:
List of required documents:
Eight hours of theoretical classes and practical lessons with an instructor (ranging from 20 to 40 hours depending on your driving experience). Classes are conducted in Arabic or English.
Approximate list of lectures:
| Lecture No. | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Attitude and Responsibilities of the Driver |
| 2 | Knowledge of Traffic Rules and Regulations |
| 3 | Characteristics of Road Users |
| 4 | Driver Condition |
| 5 | The Driving Environment |
| 6 | Driving on Freeways, Traffic Violations & Route Planning |
| 7 | Hazard perception training |
| 8 | Traffic Accidents, Case Studies & What to do in an Accident |
You need to answer 35 questions within 30 minutes, divided into two sections:
To pass the exam, you must correctly answer at least 11 questions in the first part and 12 in the second.
On the exam day, you must come with the necessary documents. You will sit in a car with an RTA representative and two other examinees. The practical part of the exam will take no more than 5–7 minutes, during which you will need to demonstrate your driving skills following the examiner's instructions.
Image source: Ground Picture / shutterstock.com
If you fail the exam, you will need to return to driving school, sign up for seven additional lessons with an instructor, pay for a retake, and get a new attempt.
If you pass the exam, within 30 days you will receive a licence for car rental or driving your own car in Dubai.
Let's go through the key points:
The price of a driving licence in Dubai is one of the most frequently asked questions. To find out exactly how much a driving licence costs in Dubai, it should be clarified that the price is not fixed and varies depending on the specific emirate, selected educational institution, and candidate's driving experience.
The cost of studying at a particular school is determined by:
Additionally, you will need to pay for testing and the Knowledge and Innovation fee, totalling approximately 60 USD. In the end, obtaining a licence in Dubai costs approximately 1500–2000 USD. This amount includes all fees, services, and the actual training. Partial payments for training is allowed in most driving schools, and exams require a separate payment.
RTA launched the Golden Chance programme in the spring of 2023, allowing UAE citizens and all interested residents to obtain a driving licence without the need to attend a driving school.
This decision significantly saves money and time, as the programme participation fee is only 600 USD. This will be of interest to Russian citizens who already have driving experience.
The exam under this programme includes theoretical and practical parts. You must pass it on the first attempt. In case of failure, you will have to follow the standard procedure: take courses and only then take the exam.
To participate in Golden Chance, you need to submit an application. This can be done through the driving school (upon presenting the original Emirates ID) or the official RTA portal.
In the United Arab Emirates, traffic is right-hand drive, and traffic rules largely coincide with those in Europe and the former CIS. The main difference in UAE traffic rules is that priority is given to traffic from the left, while in Russia and many other countries, priority is given to traffic from the right.
Drivers must always carry their current driving licence, vehicle documents, and Emirates ID.
Speed limits in the Emirates:
| Traffic Zone | Speed (km/h) |
|---|---|
| Residential areas | 40–50 |
| City | 60–80 |
| Motorways | 100–140 |
Speeding fines range from 110 to 820 USD.
Mobile phone conversations while driving in Dubai are strictly prohibited, except when using hands-free devices.
Every car passenger must use a seatbelt. Children under the age of 10 must be seated in the back seat in an age-appropriate child car seat.
Image source: Jacob Lund / shutterstock.com
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (regardless of intoxication level) is punishable by a significant fine (5500 USD or more), driving licence suspension, and even imprisonment for up to three years.
The United Arab Emirates operates a black points system, under which traffic violations are assigned points: 23 is the maximum number, beyond which serious sanctions follow in the form of licence suspension for 12 months.
Points are accumulated and reset throughout the year, with reset occurring only if the driver has not exceeded the limit.
The validity period of a licence in the Emirates is two years. Residents then need to arrange a renewal for five years. It costs 27 USD for drivers under 21 years of age, and 82 USD for drivers aged 21 and above. Additionally, the Knowledge and Innovation fee of 5 USD must be paid.
Licence renewal is possible online, but all existing fines must be paid in advance.
The application is submitted upon presentation of Emirates ID, and applicants over 21 years of age must also attach an eye test certificate, which can be obtained from RTA-approved vision testing centres (for example, Emirates Driving Institute, Yateem Opticians, Grand Optics, or Barakat Optical).
Important! The application must be submitted on time, as delays will incur a fine of 2.72 USD for each month of delay.
Since May 2023, RTA offers a quick driving licence delivery service, completed within two hours.
If you lose your driving licence, you must contact the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority with your Emirates ID. You will also need to pay the necessary fees:
Additionally, the Knowledge and Innovation fee of 5 USD must be paid.
Applications can be submitted through the RTA website, RTA Dubai or Dubai Drive applications, as well as through self-service machines (up to you).
The cost of delivering the finished licence ranges from 5 to 14 USD.
To retrieve your driving licence, you need to obtain a no-objection letter from the police and present it to the RTA. You will then need to pass an assessment test and pay all the necessary fees (as when obtaining a licence).
Do you require an international driving permit in Dubai if you're travelling and just want to rent a car? Yes, tourist drivers must have a valid International Driving Permit (IDP). The original licence obtained in your home country must also be brought to the Emirates.
Note: citizens of Canada, the United Kingdom, USA, GCC and several other countries can use their original licences in Dubai.
In summary: if your stay in the UAE will be brief, you can use an international driving licence; however, if relocating for permanent residence, you must obtain a local licence, which is available from the age of 18; Russians cannot simply exchange their licences for Emirate ones, they must complete driving courses and pass exams.
Article header image source: evgenii mitroshin / shutterstock.com
