In which countries is the UAE driving license valid and where to find out about it

By TravelWiseOct 13, 2023 20:50 PMNews
Share:
Where is the UAE driver's license valid?
Where is the UAE driving license valid?. Source: Freepik

UAE residents have been reminded that they will be able to travel by car only to those countries that recognize their driving license.

Thus, the UAE Ministry of Interior (MOI) has an online service called Markhoos, where you can find a list of countries where you can drive with a UAE-issued license. However, it is important to note that you can only do this if you are on a visitor visa. The process of driving in the country as a resident if you plan to move there may be different, writes Gulf News .

Firstly, as a UAE resident with a driver's license, you can easily drive in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) using your UAE-issued driver's license. These are Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

In addition to these countries, you can also drive in 45 countries using your UAE driving license during your visit. Here are 15 of them:

  1. Estonia
  2. Albania
  3. Portugal
  4. China
  5. Hungary
  6. Greece
  7. Ukraine
  8. Bulgaria
  9. Slovakia
  10. Slovenia
  11. Serbia
  12. Cyprus
  13. Latvia
  14. Luxembourg
  15. Lithuania.

If the country you are traveling to is not on the list, you must apply for an International Driving Permit (IDL), also called an International Driving Permit (IDP). However, to be able to apply for a license, you will need to have a valid local driver's license issued in the United Arab Emirates.

Top Articles
Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Oct 16, 2025 16:22 PM
Smartphone with eSIM logo surrounded by travel essentials like flowers, map, camera, and sunglasses

Where to Buy eSIM at the Best Price: A Full Review of Tariffs and Options

Aug 8, 2025 10:54 AM

No More SIM Swaps: The eSIM Travel Solution You’ll Actually Use

Aug 4, 2025 16:51 PM

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
More News
Guest room at The Queen at Chester Hotel with bed and seating area

Chester’s Historic Queen Hotel Gets a New Chapter

May 19, 2026 22:16 PM
Riyadh Air aircraft being serviced on the airport tarmac

Riyadh Air Opens London Sales

May 19, 2026 22:03 PM

Virgin Australia Brings Back Holiday Packages

May 19, 2026 21:58 PM

London Rail Closures to Hit Summer Plans

May 19, 2026 21:44 PM
Lufthansa Allegris First Class suite with private seating and large screen

Lufthansa Brings First Class Back to Singapore

May 19, 2026 21:31 PM
White-sand beach and turquoise sea in Zanzibar

Tanzania Flights Could Finally Go Direct

May 19, 2026 21:28 PM
Airbnb listings displayed on a laptop screen

Europe’s Rental Rules Reach a Turning Point

May 19, 2026 21:15 PM
Family watching an aircraft from an airport terminal

Dutch Travellers Fear Costlier Flights

May 19, 2026 21:02 PM
Qatar Airways aircraft flying through cloudy skies

Qatar Airways Adds More Africa Flights

May 19, 2026 20:59 PM

Dutch Flight Tax Could Push Fares Higher

May 19, 2026 20:46 PM

Japan’s Pokémon Airport Gets Ready for Take-Off

May 18, 2026 23:03 PM
Baggage claim carousel with suitcases at an airport

Why Airport Luggage Wrapping Still Has Fans

May 17, 2026 20:57 PM
Toronto skyline seen across the waterfront

WestJet Brings Toronto Back to Glasgow

May 17, 2026 20:44 PM
Ottawa sign in a city square

Gatwick Gets Its First Ottawa Flights

May 17, 2026 20:31 PM
Aerial view of Tel Aviv and Jaffa coastline

Bratislava Gets a Direct Tel Aviv Link

May 17, 2026 20:28 PM

Courchevel Lines Up Two New Alpine Hotels

May 16, 2026 13:15 PM

airBaltic Adds More Alpine Winter Flights

May 16, 2026 13:02 PM
TAP Air Portugal aircraft on an airport runway

TAP Air Gives Travellers Free Date Changes

May 16, 2026 12:59 PM
Seattle waterfront skyline with the Great Wheel

Seattle Plans a Floating World Cup Party

May 15, 2026 18:36 PM
flydubai aircraft flying over coastal waters

Dubai Opens a New Route to Libya

May 15, 2026 18:23 PM
AnimaWings aircraft taking off at Vienna Airport

Vienna Gets a Direct Cluj Link

May 15, 2026 18:17 PM
easyJet aircraft landing near a city skyline

easyJet Opens Spring 2027 Flights Early

May 15, 2026 18:04 PM

Passport Rules Could Catch Out Summer Travellers

May 15, 2026 17:51 PM

Canada Makes National Parks Free This Summer

May 15, 2026 17:38 PM
Passengers seated inside an aircraft cabin

Summer Airfares Send Mixed Signals

May 14, 2026 22:45 PM
View over Thessaloniki and the sea

Ryanair Pulls Its Thessaloniki Winter Base

May 14, 2026 22:32 PM