Can Tourists Drive With a Digital Driving License in the UAE?

Many visitors dream of exploring the UAE at their own pace with a rental car. But they often wonder: can tourists drive with their digital driving license in the UAE? While the answer used to be unclear until recently, the UAE government has now provided a definitive solution in 2025. Through its new Markhoos initiative, it has simplified the rules for visitors from over 50 countries.

This guide cuts through the confusion to provide a clear, up-to-date look at the official rules. We will cover which nationalities can drive in the UAE with their home license and the requirements you must meet in the event of a police stop. Dive in to learn everything you need to know about driving with a digital license in the Emirates.

Does the UAE Accept Digital Driving Licenses?

Recently, the UAE launched a new initiative called Markhoos, which allows visitors from 51 countries to have their home country license recognized. Once recognized, these tourists can drive legally in the UAE with their physical license, as the digital system validates its legitimacy.

This offers a new dynamic to the term digital driving license in the UAE. It answers the question: Can tourists drive with a digital driving license in the UAE? The answer is nuanced, but essentially, yes, tourists from selected countries can drive with their license through a digital recognition process. It is crucial to understand that this applies to a specific group only, and you must still carry your valid, physical license.

These are the nationalities whose home country licenses are recognized by the UAE authorities, per the MoI website:

1. Australia

2. Canada

3. France

4. Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

5. Hellenic Republic

6. Hong Kong

7. Hungary

8. Ireland

9. Japan

10. Kingdom of Denmark

11. Kingdom of Norway

12. New Zealand

13. Netherlands

14. People's Republic of China

15. Portuguese Republic

16. Republic of Albania

17. Republic of Austria

18. Republic of Azerbaijan

19. Republic of Belarus

20. Republic of Bulgaria

21. Republic of Croatia

22. Republic of Cyprus

23. Republic of Estonia

24. Republic of Finland

25. Republic of Germany

26. Republic of Iceland

27. Republic of Italy

28. Republic of Kosovo

29. Republic of Kyrgyzstan

30. Republic of Latvia

31. Republic of Lithuania

32. Republic of Malta

33. Republic of Montenegro

34. Republic of North Macedonia

35. Republic of Poland

36. Republic of Serbia

37. Republic of Slovenia

38. Republic of Turkey

39. Republic of Uzbekistan

40. Romania

41. Singapore

42. Slovak Republic

43. South Africa

44. State of Israel

45. Sweden

46. Switzerland

47. The Kingdom of Belgium

48. The Kingdom of Spain

49. Ukraine

50. United Kingdom

51. United States of America
    

The Marakhoos initiative also allows UAE expatriates (residents) from 52 countries to exchange their home country license for a UAE driving license. Note: Tourists from South Korea, while eligible for license exchange as residents, must use an IDP if visiting.

This arrangement benefits the UAE citizens too, enabling them to exchange their UAE driving license with 32 different countries driver's license. This futuristic approach from the UAE government simplifies international driving for both its citizens and tourists alike.

Important Note: Tourists/visitors from other nations will need their home country license along with an international driver’s permit (IDP) to legally drive in the Emirates. The same applies to renting a car in Dubai or other emirates as well. 

Dubai Police Requirements During Stops

As we established that Marakhoos only recognizes driving licenses from 51 countries and doesn’t explicitly mention converting into digital licenses for non-residents, unlike exchanges, renters must always carry their physical driving license with them. 

Generally, during police stops, the UAE police will mandate physical copies of license, rental agreement, and other related documents, even though all such details are already uploaded to the official governmental portals, like Dubai RTA in Dubai and the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) in Abu Dhabi.

Whether your home country license is recognized in the Emirates or not, renters must carry the physical copies of all the documents with them while driving in the country. Here are the general document requirements during UAE police stop:

• Original Passport (with valid entry visa/stamp)

• Original Driving License from their home country

• International Driving Permit (IDP) — This is required unless the tourist is from one of the countries on the UAE's recognized list.

• Original Car Rental Agreement — This serves as the primary document for the vehicle, proving your legal authority to drive it.

• Insurance Papers (often provided as a separate document if any subscribed besides TPL).

Tourists renting a car in the UAE must have the physical copies of their license and other documents, even though the country is pushing for the digitization of all paperwork. One day in the future, the time will come when tourists can drive in the UAE with digital copies only.

Practical Advice for Tourists Driving in the Emirates

Having understood the legalities of tourists driving with digital licenses in the UAE, let’s take a look at some practical advice, directly from the FriendsCarRental sales manager. Here are the summarized pointers for easy understanding.

• Driving in the UAE is typically fast-paced and assertive. Drivers often flash their lights to signal they want to overtake. You must stay calm, check your mirrors, and move to a slower lane when it's safe to do so.

• A vast network of enhanced radars & speed cameras strictly enforced speed limits in the UAE. Speeding fines are significant — drive within the legal limits. Be aware that some major highways also have a minimum speed limit (e.g., 60 km/h on Sheikh Zayed Road), and driving too slowly fines are also possible.

• Dubai and Abu Dhabi use an electronic toll system called Salik & DARB. Each rental car comes with a Salik tag connected to a salik account. The rental company will charge you for each toll gate you pass through, so be sure to understand their specific policy for tracking and billing these charges.

• The UAE has a zero-tolerance policy for any alcohol in a driver's system. The legal consequences are severe, including fines, imprisonment, and deportation.

• Pay close attention to parking signs and markings. Most public parking is paid, and you can get a fine for illegal parking, such as on pavements or in a space reserved for disabled drivers. Be sure to pay using a parking machine, the RTA app, or by SMS.

• UAE Roads can be complex, especially for new drivers, with many multi-lane roundabouts, exits, and flyovers. Use the best navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze for route planning and to avoid getting lost.

• It is illegal to use a handheld mobile phone for any reason while driving. This includes talking, texting, and using it for navigation without a hands-free device. The fines are substantial. Never use a phone while driving in the Emirates.

Conclusion

Can tourists drive with a digital driving license in the UAE? The answer is yes, per the UAE’s Marakhoos initiative, which recognizes driver’s licenses from 51 countries. However, the initiative still doesn’t explicitly clarify the digitization of international licenses, even though it clarifies about exchanges. This still creates a nuance that requires tourists to compulsorily carry their physical license while driving in the Emirates, especially when targeted by police stops. Hopefully, we can realize the true interpretation of driving in the UAE with a digital license. If you have faced instances where you had to produce your original driver’s license during UAE police stops, do share your experiences in the comments below.