Short answer: Dubai Police have arrested eight people accused of selling driving licences from a neighbouring country for Dh10,000 each. Buyers never travelled to that country, took lessons or sat a test. They then took the foreign licence to Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to swap it for a UAE licence under the international exchange rules. Police say anyone who knowingly pays for a licence like this may face penalties and legal action, and that exchanging it does not make it legal.
How the scheme worked, step by step
- The suspects found customers through the offices of transaction-processing companies in the UAE, according to Gulf News and The National.
- For Dh10,000, they arranged a driving licence issued in a neighbouring country. The customer did not go there, did not take lessons and did not pass a driving test.
- The customer then presented that licence to the RTA in Dubai to exchange it for a UAE licence, using the agreements that let holders of licences from certain countries swap them without extra training or testing.
The arrests were made by Dubai Police’s General Department of Criminal Investigation, working with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the RTA.
What police have said, and what is still unknown
| Confirmed by Dubai Police | Not made public so far |
|---|---|
| 8 suspects arrested | Which neighbouring country issued the licences |
| Price: Dh10,000 per licence | How many licences were sold or exchanged |
| Buyers skipped lessons and tests | Whether licences already exchanged will be cancelled |
| Knowingly buying such a licence may lead to penalties and legal action | The specific charges or the penalties the buyers could face |
Why this matters for ordinary residents
Many people moving to the UAE hope to avoid the cost and time of driving school. The legal shortcut is real, but narrow: you can exchange a licence directly only if it was genuinely issued by a country on the RTA’s approved list. Everyone else has to train and pass the tests in the UAE. Our UAE driving licence guide explains the conversion route and the real costs.
Dubai Police stressed two points. First, a licence obtained without training and tests puts unqualified drivers on the road and could endanger other motorists, passengers and pedestrians. Second, completing the official exchange does not erase what happened before it: the holder can still be held responsible.
Red flags if someone offers you a licence
- You are told you do not need to travel, attend lessons or sit a test.
- The offer comes from a typing centre, visa office or “agent” rather than an RTA-approved driving institute.
- A fixed package price is quoted for a licence from another country.
- You are asked to pay in cash or by personal transfer, with no official receipt.
The same pattern of “pay us and skip the official process” shows up in fake job and visa offers. See our guide to common UAE scams and the recent warning about fake visa agencies. Once you are on the road, our traffic fines and black points guide covers what applies.
Quick answers
Is it legal to buy a foreign driving licence and exchange it in the UAE?
No. Dubai Police said anyone who knowingly pays for a licence obtained without the required training and tests may face penalties and legal action, and that exchanging it for a UAE licence does not make it legitimate.
How much did the gang charge for each licence?
Dubai Police said the suspects charged Dh10,000 per licence. Customers were offered a licence from a neighbouring country without travelling there, taking lessons or passing a test.
What should I do if someone offers me a licence without a test?
Do not pay. Dubai Police asked residents to deal only with authorised entities and to report individuals or companies offering licences through unlawful means.
Published 17 October 2026. Sources: Dubai Police statements as reported by Khaleej Times, Gulf News and The National (all 16 October 2026). The detail that customers were recruited through transaction-processing offices comes from Gulf News and The National. This article is general information, not legal advice.
Leave a Reply