UAE, Travel, Lifestyle2026. 01. 21

UAE License Without Exam: Who Qualifies?

UAE Driver's License via Simplified Process: Who Can Drive Without a Test?

Obtaining a driver's license in the United Arab Emirates is often among the first steps for those wishing to settle in the country long term. However, not everyone needs to go through the usual theoretical and practical exams – thanks to new UAE initiatives, certain foreign nationals can be exempt from these requirements. In this blog post, we explore the conditions, who can take advantage of this opportunity, and what the Markhoos system means for simplified administration.

The Goal of the Markhoos Initiative

The Markhoos initiative, launched by the UAE Ministry of Interior, aims to facilitate transportation and mobility for visitors, tourists, and foreign residents. The system operates digitally, making administration quick and transparent. It provides various entitlements depending on whether one is staying in the country as a tourist or a resident.

Driving License Use as a Tourist

Those arriving in the UAE as tourists or visitors can use their driver's license issued in their home country under certain conditions. There's no need for a local permit or any special procedure, provided the country is on the officially approved list. This allows visitors to drive rental cars or their own vehicles freely within the country during their stay.

License Exchange as a UAE Resident

Those who already have a valid residence permit, i.e., residents, are in an even more advantageous position if they come from a country on the UAE's recognized list. They can exchange their foreign license for a local one without taking theoretical and practical exams, needing only an eye test, the payment of the necessary fees, and some administrative steps.

List of Approved Countries

By 2025, the UAE will automatically recognize driver's licenses from a total of 52 countries, including several European and Asian countries:

Europe: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Netherlands, Croatia, Ireland, Iceland, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Montenegro, Germany, Norway, North Macedonia, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Belarus, Kosovo

Asia and Oceania: Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, China, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Australia, New Zealand

Americas and Other Countries: USA (including Texas), Canada, South Africa, Israel

Special Conditions for Certain Countries

Not all countries suffice by merely having a driver's license. For example:

Citizens of Japan, Turkey, and Greece can only validate their driver's licenses with an official, consulate-certified translation.

For South Korea, tourists cannot use their Korean licenses locally, but residents can exchange them if they have a certified translation.

Two Systems: Recognition and Exchange

The UAE applies two parallel systems depending on the status of the applicant in the country.

Recognition: Visitors can drive in the UAE with their own country's license, provided they don't apply for a residence permit.

Exchange: Residents from certain countries can exchange their license for a UAE one without theoretical and practical exams if they meet the related conditions.

GCC Country Citizens

Citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries – such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman – can use their licenses as visitors in the UAE. However, once they become residents, the license must be officially exchanged via the MuroorKhous digital system, with the process costing approximately 600 dirhams.

GCC citizens who are no longer active residents of these countries but come from a nation not on the UAE's approved list must complete both theoretical and practical exams to obtain a new license.

Digital Administration and International Cooperation

The entire process is conducted digitally, which significantly reduces the turnaround time and minimizes the need for personal presence. The foundation of the recognition and exchange processes includes bilateral agreements, known as Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) documents. Hence, the inter-country relationship plays a decisive role in how a given license is accepted in the UAE.

Summary

Obtaining a driver's license in the United Arab Emirates has become much simpler for those arriving from one of the recognized countries. Whether a visitor or a resident, the system allows for quick and smooth processing, aligning with the UAE's digital vision. Through the Markhoos platform and ongoing international cooperation, mobility is no longer a hurdle – just a few clicks and the license is in hand.