Lekker news: South Africa is on the UAE's approved list for direct driving licence conversion. No test. No driving lessons. You hand in your SA licence and walk out with a UAE one. Here is exactly how to do it.
What you need before you go
- Valid UAE residency visa
- Valid Emirates ID
- Original South African driving licence (the credit card format)
- Passport
Step 1: Eye test
Before you can exchange your licence, you need a passing eye test from an RTA-approved optical clinic.
- Book at an approved clinic: Al Jaber Optical, Yateem Optician or Grand Optics. All three are widely available across Dubai.
- Results are submitted electronically to the RTA system.
- Cost: AED 100-150.
- Bring your Emirates ID.
Step 2: Book your RTA appointment
- Dubai — RTA Dubai app or rta.ae. Select "Exchange Driving Licence". (RTA Customer Happiness Center - Al Manara best option)
- Abu Dhabi — tamm.abudhabi.
- Other emirates — Contact the relevant traffic and licensing department.
- You can upload your documents in advance via the app.
Step 3: Visit the RTA customer happiness centre
- Bring your reference number from the online application.
- Submit: original SA driving licence, eye test certificate, Emirates ID, passport.
- Pay the fees.
- Your UAE licence is issued on the spot or within a day.
What it costs
- File opening — AED 200
- Licence issuance — AED 600
- Knowledge and innovation fee — AED 20
- Eye test — AED 100-150
- Total — approximately AED 920-970
No translation needed
South African driving licences are in English and are accepted by the RTA without translation. Countries like Greece, Japan and Poland require Arabic translations before conversion. You do not.
Information correct as of June 2026. Fees verified against RTA published schedule.