Who needs a driving licence translation in Dubai
Three situations bring a driving licence to a legal translator. New residents converting a foreign licence at the RTA in Dubai, or at the licensing authority of another emirate, when the licence is written in a language the authority does not read. UAE licence holders who need their licence in English or another language for a foreign licensing authority, a rental company or an insurer abroad. And drivers in a traffic case or insurance claim where the licence or a police report has to be filed in Arabic.
Which translation do you need?
| Your licence | Translation | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Written in English (for example UK, US, Canada, Australia, India) | English to Arabic | English and Arabic AED 15–45 per page; a one-page licence sits towards the upper end |
| Written in another language (Russian, French, German, Chinese, Farsi, Urdu and others) | Into Arabic, or into English where the authority accepts it | AED 45–100+ per page |
| UAE licence for use abroad | Arabic to English, or Arabic to the language of the country | Arabic to English AED 15–45 per page; other languages AED 45–100+ per page |
RTA's checklist for your issuing country sets whether a certified translation is required and which other documents go with it. Check it before you order. If your licence is already in English, confirm with RTA that a translation is still needed.
What to send
| Document | Why |
|---|---|
| Both sides of the driving licence | Categories, restrictions, issue and expiry dates and the licence number are often on the back |
| Passport copy | So the Latin spelling of your name in the translation matches your passport |
| Emirates ID, if you have one | So the Arabic spelling matches the ID the authority already holds |
| International driving permit, if you have one | Translated with the licence when the authority asks for it |
| Consulate letter confirming the licence, if RTA asked you for one | Translated with the licence when it is not in Arabic |
| Police report or insurance letter, for traffic cases | Translated with the licence for the court or insurer |
What matters when translating a driving licence
- Your name must match your passport, letter for letter, and your Emirates ID in Arabic. Send both.
- Licence categories and class codes (B, C, D, A1 and so on) are translated as written, not converted to UAE categories. RTA decides the equivalence.
- Issue and expiry dates, the date of first issue for each category, and the licence number are copied exactly.
- The issuing authority's name is translated in full, with the original kept where the authority needs to see it.
- Text on holograms, stamps and the signature strip is translated too; a translation of the front alone is incomplete.
- A faded or scratched card is a problem for the translator and the authority alike. A flat, well lit photo or a clear scan of each side is fine; if a detail cannot be read, we ask for a clearer copy before starting.
Attestation and consulate letters
A driving licence does not usually carry attestation stamps the way a certificate does. If RTA asks you for a letter from your country's consulate confirming the licence, that letter is translated with the licence. For a UAE licence used abroad, the receiving country decides whether the translation needs attestation; tell us where it is going and we will say what we know about the order.
How much does driving licence translation cost?
- English to Arabic and Arabic to English
- AED 15–45 per page; a one-page licence sits towards the upper end
- Other languages
- AED 45–100+ per page
The exact price depends on the language and on anything translated with the licence. Send both sides of your licence on WhatsApp and you get the price and delivery time before any work starts. See all prices.
How to order
- Send both sidesSend the front and back of the licence on WhatsApp to +971 55 947 4486, with your passport copy. A clear scan or photo is fine.
- Say where it is goingRTA conversion, a foreign authority, an insurer or a court, so the translation is prepared in the right language and format.
- Confirm and receive it onlineYou get the exact price and delivery time first. The certified, stamped translation arrives as a PDF.
Driving licence translation questions
Do I need to translate my driving licence for RTA?
RTA's checklist for your issuing country decides. A licence written in a language other than Arabic or English is the usual case for a certified translation. If your licence is in English, confirm with RTA whether a translation is still required before you order. Send both sides of your licence on WhatsApp at +971 55 947 4486 and we prepare the translation in the format RTA expects.
Is the translation accepted by RTA?
Every page is stamped and signed by a UAE Ministry of Justice licensed sworn translator, which is the certification UAE authorities require. RTA's own checklist, including any consulate letter, stays with RTA, so check it for your issuing country before your appointment.
How much does driving licence translation cost in Dubai?
English to Arabic and Arabic to English: AED 15–45 per page; a one-page licence sits towards the upper end. Every other language: AED 45–100+ per page. Send both sides of your licence on WhatsApp at +971 55 947 4486 and you get the exact price before any work starts.
How long does it take?
As fast as 6 hours for an English and Arabic licence that is clear and readable. Other languages take longer, and the delivery time is confirmed with the price before you confirm. Tell us your RTA appointment date when you send the licence and the job is prioritised.
Do you need the physical licence, or is a photo enough?
A flat, well lit photo of each side is enough, as long as every word, number and stamp can be read. If a detail is faded or cut off, we ask for a clearer photo before the translation starts, so nothing is guessed. The original card is not needed, and nothing is sent by courier.
Can you translate my UAE driving licence into English or another language for use abroad?
Yes. A UAE licence can be translated from Arabic into English or into the language of the country where you will drive or hold a licence. Tell us the receiving authority, rental company or insurer, so we can say whether the translation also needs attestation for use abroad.
Do I need to visit an office?
No. Send your licence on WhatsApp at +971 55 947 4486 or by email to translate@mairit.ae, and the certified translation is delivered online as a PDF, stamped on every page by the licensed translator. There is no office visit, and you can order from anywhere in the UAE or from abroad; if RTA or another authority needs a hard copy, we say so and arrange it.
Which languages do you translate driving licences from?
65 languages, including Russian, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Hindi, Urdu, Farsi, Turkish, Tagalog and Malayalam, all certified through the same UAE Ministry of Justice licensed sworn translator network. If you are not sure your language is covered, ask on WhatsApp and we confirm.
Related pages
Get a price for your driving licence translation
Send both sides of your licence and say where the translation is going. You get the price and delivery time before any work starts.