I’ve been living in the UAE for a while now, and one thing that’s been on my to-do list is getting a local driving license. I had one from back home, but it’s a whole different ball game here. So, I started my research online and got a bunch of mixed information.
First, I checked if I could just convert my existing license. Turns out, it depends on your nationality. Some folks can simply swap theirs out, but not me. I had to go through the whole process. But a friend told me about Golden Visa, and guess what? It turns out I am eligible for it. I was thrilled. That means I can skip all the driving classes and go straight to the test.
Then I dug a little deeper and found out about the Emirates Driving School in Musaffah. People say it’s the place to go in Abu Dhabi, They’ve got everything there – assistance, training, and testing. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to bring my old license along, just in case.

- Found out about eligibility for direct exchange
- Discovered the benefits of having a Golden Visa
- Decided to go to Emirates Driving School
- Prepared to bring my old license
Getting a license here isn’t a walk in the park. It takes time and commitment. I made sure I understood all the requirements and got myself mentally ready. I applied for the test online. Everything’s digital these days, which is super convenient. I used the RTA website, but you can also use their app. Booked my theory test – gotta brush up on the rules of the road here.
The Test Day
Finally the day came, I went down to the testing center. Went through the theory test, passed it, and got my learner’s permit. It was a relief to get that out of the way.
Once I passed the theory test, then came the practical test. I practiced a bit, got comfortable with the local driving style, and scheduled the road test. Passed that too! Now I’ve got my shiny new UAE driving license.
Whole process wasn’t as bad as I thought. Just gotta be prepared, know what you’re getting into, and take it one step at a time. Now I can legally drive around, which makes life here a whole lot easier.