Driving license translation in Dubai is a legal translation of a foreign license, front and back, which RTA or another emirate's licensing authority asks for when the license is not in Arabic or English. New residents need it to exchange a home license or open a driving-school file. Wordcraft's MOJ-licensed legal translators reproduce every category, restriction and date, with your name spelled as in your passport.
English-language licenses are generally accepted as they are. The ones we translate most carry only a local script, such as Russian, Ukrainian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Persian or Thai (see Russian legal translation).
RTA License Conversion: Where the Translation Fits
| Step | What you need | Translation needed? |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Check whether your license can be exchanged | The eligible-country list that RTA publishes and updates | No |
| 2. Eye test | An eye test, as RTA sets out in its requirements | No |
| 3. Translate the foreign license | A clear copy of both sides of the license and your passport | Yes, if the license is not in Arabic or English |
| 4. Submit the exchange application | Emirates ID, the original foreign license, its legal translation and any other documents RTA lists | The translation goes in with the file |
| Not eligible: open a driving-school file | The documents the driving school and RTA ask for | Only if your foreign license is requested for the file |
RTA sets the steps and the document list and changes them from time to time, so check the current version on the official RTA website before you apply. We translate; we do not decide eligibility.
Exchange or Driving School: What Changes for the Translation
If your country is on RTA's list, the translated license is part of a short exchange file. If it is not, you normally train and test at a driving school, and your old license may still be asked for, sometimes affecting the training you are offered. Either way the translation has to mirror the card: the categories (light vehicle, motorcycle, heavy vehicle and so on), the restriction codes, the issuing authority and each issue and expiry date. For the full checklist, emirate differences and common delays, read our guide to converting a foreign driving license in the UAE.
Licensing Outside Dubai: Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and RAK
In the other emirates, licenses are handled by the police licensing departments, such as Abu Dhabi Police, Sharjah Police and Ras Al Khaimah Police. The same principle holds: a license outside Arabic and English usually needs a legal translation. You can hand in the license at our branches for legal translation in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or Ras Al Khaimah, or order online from anywhere.
Ordering a Driving License Translation
- Photograph both sides in good light, so the small category codes on the back are readable. Include any booklet pages with categories or endorsements.
- Using a digital license on your phone? Send a screenshot or printout of the official record too; we translate what the licensing officer will see.
- Add your passport (and Emirates ID if you have it) and name the emirate where you will apply. The quote follows within 10–30 minutes.
- A second linguist checks each category code against the legend on the card before the stamp. A single card is often ready the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does RTA accept an English driving license without translation?
Generally yes. Licenses in other scripts usually need a legal translation. Check RTA's current requirements when you apply.
Is my country eligible for a direct license exchange?
RTA publishes and updates the eligible-country list, and the licensing authority in each emirate applies its own rules. Check that list before you book anything.
Do you translate both sides of the license?
Yes. Categories, restrictions and codes often sit on the back, and the authority needs them.
Will the translation be accepted in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and RAK?
It is a legal translation stamped by an MOJ-licensed legal translator, the form used across the UAE. Each licensing authority confirms its own document list.
Can I use the translation for car rental or insurance?
Some rental companies and insurers ask for a translation next to the original license. Their rules vary, so check with them first.
Last updated: September 2026
