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
Passengers waiting inside airport terminal overlooking runway

UK Airports Hit as Lufthansa Strike Cancels Hundreds of Flights

Feb 13, 2026 17:07 PM
Wizz Air aircraft parked at the airport

Wizz Air Adds Easier Connections, But Transfers Stay Manual

Feb 13, 2026 16:54 PM

Germany Grounds Flights as Lufthansa Strike Hits Major Hubs

Feb 13, 2026 16:41 PM

Quiet Space Lands at Leeds Bradford Airport

Feb 12, 2026 16:04 PM
SunExpress aircraft operating overnight service between Manchester and Dalaman

Midnight Departures Put Dalaman Closer to Manchester

Feb 12, 2026 15:55 PM
Interior of London Liverpool Street Station with platforms and trains

Liverpool Street Expansion Finally Approved After Years of Debate

Feb 12, 2026 15:42 PM
Historic buildings and gardens in central Glasgow

Glasgow–Hanover Flights Return for Summer 2026

Feb 12, 2026 15:39 PM
Kuala Lumpur skyline with Petronas Towers

London–Kuala Lumpur Returns to Gatwick After 14 Years

Feb 12, 2026 02:56 AM
Coastal town overlooking the sea

Salzburg’s Summer Flights Get a 2026 Refresh

Feb 12, 2026 02:43 AM

1930s Glamour Rolls Back on the Rails This Summer

Feb 12, 2026 02:37 AM

Stockholm Gains a Fresh Eastern Europe Link

Feb 12, 2026 02:24 AM
Crowd holding Italian flags during a demonstration

Italy Braces for Nationwide Aviation Strike on 16 February

Feb 11, 2026 20:41 PM
Stranded traveller sitting at airport with suitcase after flight cancellation

Cuba Flights Halted as Fuel Shortage Disrupts Winter Plans

Feb 11, 2026 20:38 PM
Passenger travelling with a hard-shell suitcase in an urban setting

Iberia Tightens Luggage Checks With New Fines at Airports

Feb 11, 2026 19:05 PM
Evening view of Frankfurt city centre

Frankfurt Gets a New Short-Haul Player

Feb 11, 2026 18:42 PM

Ryanair Flags OTA Price Gaps in February Survey

Feb 11, 2026 18:39 PM

Wizz Air Rolls Out Extra Space Without Changing Its Cabin

Feb 11, 2026 14:06 PM
Passenger aircraft approaching a snowy mountain airport

Winter Trips Can Fail Before Take-off

Feb 11, 2026 10:43 AM
Air France widebody aircraft approaching landing

Paris–New York Gets Busier in Summer 2026

Feb 11, 2026 10:37 AM
WestJet Boeing 737 departing on a Canadian domestic route

WestJet Adds New Domestic Links as Summer 2026 Network Grows

Feb 11, 2026 10:24 AM
Protesters with Spanish flags during strike

Spain’s Rail Strike Ends Early as Services Resume Nationwide

Feb 11, 2026 10:11 AM
Crowd dancing at an outdoor daytime music event

Zurich Airport Becomes a Dancefloor

Feb 10, 2026 08:08 AM

Lisbon’s New Airport Project Moves Forward After Decades

Feb 10, 2026 07:55 AM

Berlin–Antalya Flights Return With a Valentine’s Giveaway

Feb 10, 2026 07:42 AM
Wizz Air aircraft operating a short-haul European flight

Katowice Gets a New Adriatic Link for Summer

Feb 9, 2026 22:59 PM
Emirates aircraft operating long-haul routes

Why Families Keep Booking Emirates Economy

Feb 9, 2026 22:46 PM