Can I Drive in the UAE With a Saudi Arabia Driving License?

Can you drive in the UAE with a Saudi driving license? The short answer is YES. However, the rules can entirely vary depending on whether you are a tourist or a resident of the UAE. This article explores these scenarios, explaining the legalities behind them.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is a part of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) with five other countries United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. These countries agreed on a mutual resolution to recognize each other's driving licenses, governed by a formal resolution adopted by the GCC Interior Ministers — dating back to the mid-1980s.

This mutual recognition of driving licenses among GCC countries allows any visitor with a Saudi driving license to drive legally in the UAE. Let’s dive in to explore its criteria and limitations.

Tourists & Visitors with Saudi License

The UAE traffic law only permits visitors and/or tourists with Saudi driving licenses to legally drive on the UAE's roads. This means the governing formal resolution only allows temporary driving accessibility in each other's nations.

Anyone holding a Saudi driving license, regardless of nationality, can drive in the UAE on a visit or tourist visa. If you fall in this category, you can legally drive a rental car or a close relative's car in the Emirates. You can also import your personal car temporarily and enjoy it on the stretched emirate highways. However, it will require additional processes & expenses.

Make sure to have your original driving license, passport, and vehicle documents at all times while driving in the Emirates. These documents are mandatory for any traffic stops — whether you’re driving a rental or personal car.

Tip: Remember this is only a temporary agreement to facilitate individuals with GCC driving licenses to explore the UAE with ultimate freedom and hassle-free.

UAE Residents with Saudi License

The UAE Federal Law No. 21 of 1995 concerning Traffic and its subsequent amendments, including the new Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024, explicitly mandate all UAE residents to hold a valid UAE driving license to legally drive on UAE roads.

All UAE expatriates must obtain a UAE driving license to drive a vehicle in the country. This implies that Saudi nationals residing in the UAE too. Once you obtain a UAE residency visa, your Saudi driving license is no longer valid for driving in the UAE. You are required by law to convert it to a UAE license.

The UAE has two distinctive rules for diving license conversion for Saudi Driving License holders, based on their nationalities. Here is a precise and accurate breakdown:

1. For Saudi Nationals:

Requirement: No test is required. If you are a Saudi citizen and have a valid Saudi driving license, you can directly convert it to a UAE license. This is a direct exchange process, and you will not have to take any road or theory tests.

Reason: This is due to the mutual recognition agreements between GCC countries.

2. For Non-Nationals with a Saudi License:

Requirement: A test is required. If you are a resident of Saudi Arabia (but not a citizen) and hold a Saudi license, you are not eligible for a direct exchange in the UAE.

The Golden Chance: However, many emirates, including Dubai, offer a Golden Chance option. This allows you to bypass the mandatory driving lessons and directly take the road test.

What happens if you fail?: If you do not pass the Golden Chance road test on your first attempt, you will be required to enroll in a driving school and complete the regular lessons and tests.

To learn how to convert your Saudi driving license to the UAE license, read: How to Convert Saudi License to UAE License?

Final Thoughts

Driving in the UAE with a Saudi driving license is not news, as this has been a long-lived practice since the mid-1980s, governed by a mutual resolution among GCC nations. However, understanding that only visitors or tourists can do so is the main point. UAE residents with Saudi licenses cannot drive, as the license automatically becomes invalid upon obtaining UAE residency.

Share if you have any such experiences in the comments below. 

FAQs:

1. Is an International Driving Permit (IDP) required?

No. An IDP is not required for visitors with a Saudi driving license. The GCC resolution allows the use of the Saudi license on its own, provided it is valid.

2. Can I use a Saudi-issued license that is about to expire?

Yes, but only if it is valid. You cannot drive in the UAE with an expired license. It is highly recommended to renew your license before your trip to avoid any issues during traffic stops or with car rental agencies.

3. Do I need to get car insurance to drive in the UAE?

Yes. Vehicle insurance is mandatory in the UAE. If you are renting a car, insurance is typically included in the rental agreement. If you are driving a private car, you must ensure it has valid UAE insurance coverage.

4. How long can I drive in the UAE as a tourist with a Saudi license?

You can drive as a tourist for the duration of your visa. However, if you obtain a UAE residency visa, you must convert your license immediately.

5. What if I am a UAE resident with an expired Saudi license?

As a resident, your Saudi license is already invalid for driving in the UAE. The expired status is irrelevant. You must obtain a new UAE license to drive legally in the country.