How to convert your driving licence in Abu Dhabi 2025
The capital's fast, streamlined approach to key aspects of getting started in a new country such as housing, language, digital life, and admin, makes Abu Dhabi one of the easiest places in the world for expats to settle in.
That includes how easy it is to convert your driving licence in Abu Dhabi.
While UAE residents cannot legally drive on the country's road with anything other than an Abu Dhabi driving license, getting one is as easy as putting your vehicle into drive.
That's because for most expats, you can easily convert your driving licence in Abu Dhabi by following a few easy steps.
If you are not one of the lucky ones eligible for a license conversion or do not have a driver's license, don't worry, we've put together a step-by-step guide for getting a first-time Abu Dhabi driving license, too. You can get all the details here.
Jump to:
How to convert your driving licence in Abu Dhabi
How do I know if I'm eligible to convert my driving licence in Abu Dhabi?
Residents who hold a valid driver's licence from any of the below countries can apply for a quick and easy Abu Dhabi driving licence conversion.
GCC countries (NB: This only applies to GCC citizens, not expats who have lived in another GCC country and converted their licence there)
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Canada
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Singapore
South Africa
Spain
South Korea
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
UK
USA
Where to go to convert your driving licence in Abu Dhabi
If you are in luck and hold a valid driving licence issued by one of the above-mentioned countries, you can make your way to the Vehicles and Drivers Licensing Directorate in Al Sa'adah to convert your licence in Abu Dhabi.
You can find the location on Google Maps here.
The offices are open from Monday to Thursday, 7.30am to 4pm. You do not need to make an appointment or do anything else before going there.
What documents should I take with me?
Apart from your Emirates ID and original, valid driving licence, you do not have to take any documents with you. You should also bring your smartphone with you.
Step-by-step guide to converting your driving licence in Abu Dhabi
On entering the main building, proceed to reception. From here, staff will direct you to an office in the building for an eye test.
(We counted, it's about 20 steps from the reception desk).
After you've successfully completed your eye test and paid for it, you will have to head out to the next building to have your driver's licence translated into Arabic and uploaded onto the system.
Tip: the translation must be paid in cash, so if you do not have cash with you, draw money at the ATM in the main building before leaving. You will need Dhs157.50.
Once uploaded, you will receive an SMS from AUH Traffic stating that your request has been received. It will then take approximately 10 minutes for the system to do its magic, whereafter you will receive another SMS stating that your licence has been converted and that you can now receive an Abu Dhabi driving licence.
While you wait, you will be instructed to download the TAMM app. This will be the portal you use for all government- and traffic-related admin.
Once you've downloaded the app and received the notification SMS stating the process is complete, you can choose to pay the Dhs600 fee for your licence conversion via the app or proceed to reception and pay it there.
Once paid, you can wait for your Abu Dhabi driving licence card to be printed (on the day we were there it took less than 10 minutes), and that's it, you can now take to the roads safely and legally.
How much does it cost to convert your licence in Abu Dhabi?
The mandatory eye test is Dhs100, the translation of your driving licence into Arabic is Dhs157.50 and the fee for the conversion and printing your driving licence is Dhs600 (plus an additional Dhs3 service charge).
So, in total, converting your licence to an Abu Dhabi driving licence will set you back Dhs860.50.
It's important to remember that each transaction is paid for separately: you can pay for the eye test by card or cash, while the translation charge must be paid in cash (there is an ATM in the main building), and the Dhs600 fee can be paid online via the TAMM app or by card or cash at the reception counter.
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