Switching Driving Licenses: Bahrain To Uae, Easy Steps

If you're looking to change your Bahraini driving licence to a UAE one, there are a few things you need to know. The process is not overly complicated, but there are some specific requirements that you will need to meet. The first thing you need to do is contact the UAE Embassy in Bahrain and inquire about the process. They will be able to provide you with the necessary paperwork and requirements. Once you have the paperwork, you will need to fill it out and submit it to the embassy. The next step is to take a driving test in the UAE, which can be done at any of the approved driving schools in the country. Once you have passed the test, you will be issued a UAE driving licence. The last step is to exchange your Bahraini licence for a UAE one. This can be done at the Bahrain Ministry of Interior. You will need to submit your Bahraini licence, along with the required paperwork, and pay the applicable fees.

Contact the UAE Embassy in Bahrain to inquire about the process and obtain the necessary paperwork

Changing your Bahrain driving license to a UAE one is not overly complicated, but there are a few specific requirements that you will need to meet. The first step is to contact the UAE Embassy in Bahrain and inquire about the process. They will be able to provide you with the necessary paperwork and requirements. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Contact the UAE Embassy in Bahrain

Firstly, you will need to get in touch with the UAE Embassy in Bahrain. They will be able to provide you with the necessary information and paperwork to initiate the process. Make sure to ask about any specific requirements or documents that you may need to provide.

Gather the Necessary Documents

Once you have contacted the UAE Embassy and obtained the necessary information, you will need to gather the required documents. These may include:

• A copy of your Bahrain driving license (both front and back)
• A copy of your passport (and residency visa, if applicable)
• A passport-sized photograph
• An eye test report from a recognized optician
• A No Objection letter from your sponsor (if required)

Submit the Documents and Application

After you have gathered all the necessary documents, you will need to submit them to the UAE Embassy. They will review your application and let you know if any additional requirements or steps are needed. Make sure to follow their instructions carefully.

Pay the Required Fees

There may be certain fees associated with the license conversion process, such as application fees or processing charges. Make sure to inquire about these fees and make the necessary payments as instructed by the UAE Embassy.

Receive Your UAE Driving License

Once your application has been approved and all the necessary steps have been completed, you will be able to receive your UAE driving license. The time frame for receiving your new license may vary, but it is typically a quick process.

It is important to note that the requirements and procedures may vary slightly depending on your specific situation. Therefore, it is always best to contact the UAE Embassy in Bahrain and inquire about the exact process and requirements for your case. They will be able to provide you with the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Submit the paperwork to the embassy and take a driving test at an approved driving school in the UAE

To submit the paperwork, you will first need to contact the UAE Embassy in Bahrain and inquire about the process. They will provide you with the necessary forms and inform you of any additional requirements. Once you have completed the paperwork, submit it to the embassy.

Next, you will need to take a driving test at an approved driving school in the UAE. There are several authorised driving institutes where you can take your test, including:

• Emirates Transport Driving Institute
• Emirates Driving Company
• Emirates Driving Institute
• Dubai Driving Center
• Galadari Motor Driving Center
• Belhasa Driving Center
• Al Ahli Driving Center
• Sharjah Driving Institute
• Ras Al Khaimah Driving Academy
• Fujairah National Driving Institute

Keep in mind that the process of obtaining a UAE driving license typically involves taking driving lessons and passing all the required tests. The specific requirements may vary depending on your previous driving experience and the type of vehicle you intend to drive. For example, if you are applying for a motorcycle license, the minimum age requirement is 17 years, while for cars and light vehicles, it is 18 years.

When submitting your paperwork and taking the driving test, make sure to have all the necessary documents, such as a copy of your passport, residence visa, and Emirates ID card. Additionally, be prepared to undergo an eye test at a centre approved by the traffic department.

Once you have passed the driving test and completed all the necessary steps, you will be issued your UAE driving license.

Exchange your Bahrain license for a UAE license at the Bahrain Ministry of Interior

The process of exchanging your Bahrain driving license for a UAE one is relatively straightforward, but there are a few specific requirements to keep in mind. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Step 1: Contact the UAE Embassy in Bahrain

Get in touch with the UAE Embassy in Bahrain to inquire about the process of exchanging your Bahrain driving license for a UAE one. They will provide you with the necessary paperwork and inform you of any specific requirements.

Step 2: Complete the Paperwork

Once you have obtained the required paperwork from the UAE Embassy, fill it out accurately and submit it back to the embassy. Make sure you have all the necessary documents, as mentioned in Step 3.

Step 3: Take a Driving Test in the UAE

After submitting your paperwork, you will need to take a driving test in the UAE at any approved driving school in the country. This is a standard procedure for anyone looking to obtain a UAE driving license.

Step 4: Exchange your Bahrain License

Once you have passed the driving test and obtained your UAE driving license, it's time to exchange your Bahrain license. Visit the Bahrain Ministry of Interior and submit your Bahrain license, along with the required paperwork, and pay the applicable fees.

Step 5: Obtain your UAE License

After completing all the necessary steps and submitting the required documentation and fees, you will be the proud owner of a UAE driving license! Congratulations!

It is important to note that the requirements and procedures may vary slightly, so it is always a good idea to contact the relevant authorities, such as the UAE Embassy in Bahrain, to ensure you have the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Provide the necessary documents, including your Bahrain license, passport, and other paperwork, and pay the applicable fees

To convert your Bahrain driving license to a UAE one, you will need to provide several documents and pay the associated fees. Here is a detailed guide to help you through the process:

Firstly, you will need to gather all the necessary documents, which typically include:

• Your original Bahrain driving license.
• A copy of your passport.
• A copy of your residency visa (if applicable).
• Your Emirates ID.
• Passport-sized photographs (usually two recent photos are required).
• An eye test report from an approved optical center.
• A translation of your license, if it is not in English or Arabic.

Once you have all the required documents, you can begin the conversion process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Visit an approved optical center to undergo an eye test. This will cost you around AED 100-150.
• Head to the RTA Customer Happiness Center or an approved typing center to initiate the application process. They will help you digitize and verify your documents.
• Submit your documents and fill out the conversion application form with the assistance of the staff. You may also do this step online if you prefer.
• Pay the conversion fees, which typically range from AED 400 to AED 800. These fees cover the application and processing charges and can be paid by debit or credit card.
• Receive your UAE driving license! In most cases, you will get your new license on the same day. If all your documents are in order, you may even receive it immediately.

The total cost for converting your Bahrain driving license to a UAE one will depend on the fees for the eye test, translation (if needed), and processing. Generally, you can expect to pay between AED 400 and AED 800, plus the cost of the eye test and any translation fees.

Receive your UAE driving license and review the local driving rules and regulations

Once you have completed all the previous steps, you will be able to receive your UAE driving license. The final step is to exchange your Bahrain license for a UAE one. This can be done at the Bahrain Ministry of Interior. You will need to submit your Bahrain license, along with the required paperwork, and pay the applicable fees.

Now that you have obtained your UAE driving license, it is important to familiarise yourself with the local driving rules and regulations. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Driving without a valid license in the UAE can result in heavy fines due to stringent traffic rules.
• The minimum age requirement varies depending on the type of vehicle you intend to drive. For example, you must be at least 17 years old to ride a motorcycle, while the legal age to drive cars and light vehicles is 18. If you want to drive heavy vehicles or tractors, the minimum age is 20, and for bus drivers, it is 21 years old.
• To obtain a UAE driving license, you must take lessons from a registered driving institute and pass all the required tests, including theoretical and practical exams.
• When applying for a UAE driving license, certain documents are required, such as a copy of your passport and residence visa page, Emirates ID card, passport-size photographs, a recent eye test report, and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your sponsor or employer.
• It is mandatory to clear all theoretical tests before taking the practical road test. The theoretical tests include a touch-screen exam with questions on road signals, safe driving practices, and road hazards.
• Practical training sessions are required, with the number of classes depending on your previous driving experience. Those with no prior experience must take 40 hours of classes, while individuals with 2 to 5 years of experience need 30 hours, and those with over 5 years of experience require 20 hours.
• The parking test, also known as the yard test, assesses your ability to perform common parking methods such as parallel parking and reverse parking.
• The final road test involves driving on public roads with an instructor, where your skills in navigating turns, U-turns, and driving safely with other vehicles are evaluated.
• The cost of obtaining a UAE driving license varies depending on factors such as the type of license and the number of attempts at the tests. On average, you can expect to pay between AED 4,500 to AED 7,000.
• It is important to renew your driving license periodically. For residents, the initial license is valid for two years, after which it needs to be renewed for a period of five years. There is a fine for delaying the renewal, and the cost of renewal varies based on your age.
• If you hold a valid international driving license, you can drive a rented or personal car in the UAE as a tourist.

Frequently asked questions