Dubai is a global city in the truest sense of the term. Nationals of over a hundred countries live & work here. And a large number of them have to travel abroad frequently for professional reasons. They also find it convenient to travel to various foreign countries for tourism as Dubai is extremely well-connected to every corner of the globe.
But there is one inconvenience that these people – like you – face in many countries abroad – hailing a cab or getting hold of proper public transport. It would be so much more convenient if you could simply take a car on rent & drive it yourself. A lot of hassle could be avoided.
But for that, you would need to have a valid international driving license.
What is an International Driving License?
Also known as an International Driving Permit, the International Driving License (IDL) is a legal permit to drive that is recognized internationally. It is accepted in over 170 countries globally. This means that armed with an IDL, you can drive a car in any of these countries.
The IDL allows you to drive a vehicle while you are abroad for work or holiday. Because your Dubai driving license is invalid anywhere outside the United Arab Emirates. The IDL also has some other benefits like:
- An additional id proof
- Accident-related vehicle damage protection
- Proof of your valid Dubai driving license
In How Many Languages Is the IDL Printed?
The IDL comes printed in 10 languages. They are:
- English
- German
- Spanish
- French
- Chinese
- Russian
- Arabic
- Scandinavian
- Italian
- Portuguese
So, wherever you are outside Dubai, you can rest assured that facing an IDL-related linguistic problem with the local enforcers is a distant possibility.
Application Procedure for IDL for Dubai Residents
You have the option of both online & offline processes to apply for the IDL. And both are fairly simple. But before getting into the process, let us take you through the list of documents that you would need to apply for the IDL.
Documents needed:
- The IDL application form which you can download from the Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) website.
- A copy of your valid UAE driving license
- Copies of your valid passport, Emirates ID, and valid residency proof
- 2 copies of your latest passport-size photographs666
Make sure to apply for Dubai visa in advance in case visiting during New Year.
Applying Online
- Visit the website of the ATCUAE
- Fill up the form with proper details
- Scan & attach the required documents (the documents need to be in pdf or jpg formats. The size of the scanned documents should not exceed 2 MB).
- Make the fee payment (AED 170 + VAT)
- Submit your completed application
Applying Offline
The documentation is absolutely similar. With these documents, you can visit the nearest center of any of the following organizations:
- RTA
- Dnata office on the Sheikh Zayed Road
- ATCUAE
- Emirates Post Office
Once you have submitted the application & paid the fees, the IDL would be handed over to you in less than an hour.
Points to Keep in Mind
- You must have one-year driving experience in Dubai with an authorized license to be eligible to apply for an IDL
- Your Dubai driving license must be valid when you are applying for an IDL
- With the IDL, you can drive two-wheelers, cars, and buses abroad
- The validity of the IDL after issuance is for 1 year
Frequently Asked Questions about IDL (International Driving License)
In how many countries is the IDL valid?
The IDL is valid in 170+ countries. Please visit the ATCUAE website to get more details.
What is the time taken to issue an IDL in Dubai?
If you are applying online, then you need to give 3 working days for the application to get processed. The IDL would be delivered to your doorstep and that might take up to 2 more days. So, it would take anything between 4 to 5 days to reach you, post-submission of the application.
If you have applied over the counter, you would receive the IDL in less than an hour.
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