Dubai residents and citizens can now obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) in as little as five minutes at Dubai International Airport (DXB). The new service was launched by the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) in partnership with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Emirates Automobile and Touring Club and Amer.
The service is available around the clock at the Customer Happiness Centre in Terminal 3 Arrivals, giving travellers a new option to arrange an IDP shortly before an international trip.
- Location: Customer Happiness Centre, Terminal 3 Arrivals, Dubai International Airport
- Organisations: GDRFA Dubai, RTA, Emirates Automobile and Touring Club, Amer
- Status: Available 24/7
- Who is affected: UAE citizens and residents with a valid UAE driving licence
- Travel impact: Faster access to an IDP before driving abroad
- What’s next: Travellers can use the airport service or continue using existing RTA and Emirates Automobile and Touring Club channels
Getting an International Driving Permit in Dubai has become easier for residents and citizens travelling overseas. GDRFA Dubai has launched a new service at Dubai International Airport that can issue the permit in as little as five minutes.
The service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the Customer Happiness Centre in Terminal 3 Arrivals. It is designed for UAE motorists who need an IDP before driving in another country and offers a quicker alternative to existing application channels.
Where can you get an International Driving Permit at Dubai Airport?
The new IDP service is available at the Customer Happiness Centre in Terminal 3 Arrivals at DXB.
According to GDRFA Dubai, the service is available 24/7, allowing travellers to apply outside regular working hours as well.
The airport location is particularly useful for people who are travelling soon and need to complete the process before departure. Instead of arranging the permit separately before reaching the airport, eligible motorists can now access the service at one of Dubai’s main travel hubs.
Who can apply for the new Dubai IDP service?
The service is available to UAE citizens and residents who hold a valid UAE driving licence.
Applicants must provide four documents:
- Emirates ID
- Valid UAE driving licence
- Passport copy
- Personal photograph
GDRFA Dubai said the new service uses integrated digital systems to verify applicant information automatically. Once the details are verified and the request is approved, the International Driving Permit can be issued within five minutes.
The new process does not replace the requirement to hold a valid UAE driving licence. The IDP is used alongside the original domestic licence when driving in countries where the permit is accepted.
How does the five-minute International Driving Permit service work?
The new service brings several government and travel-related entities together at one location.
GDRFA Dubai launched the service in collaboration with the RTA, Emirates Automobile and Touring Club and Amer. Their integrated digital systems allow the applicant’s details to be checked electronically, helping reduce the time needed for processing.
GDRFA Dubai said the service is intended to make travel-related procedures easier by providing the service at a location where customers may need it.
The authority’s Assistant Director-General for Entry Permits and Residency, Major General Khalaf Ahmed Al Ghaith, said the initiative is part of efforts to make government services more convenient for travellers.
RTA Licensing Agency CEO Ahmed Mahboob also highlighted the cooperation between government partners and the focus on improving customer experience.
How long is an International Driving Permit valid in the UAE?
The RTA states that its International Driving Licence is valid for one year from the date of issue.
The permit is not a replacement for a UAE driving licence. Motorists travelling abroad should carry their valid UAE driving licence along with the international permit.
An IDP essentially provides a standardised translation of the driver’s domestic licence, helping authorities in other countries understand the licence details. Whether an IDP is required can depend on the destination country’s rules, so travellers should check the requirements of the country they plan to drive in before travelling.
How much does the Dubai Airport IDP service cost?
GDRFA Dubai has not announced the fee for the new five-minute airport service.
This is important because existing IDP services in Dubai have separate pricing.
The RTA currently lists its International Driving Licence service at Dh197, including Dh177 for the licence and Dh20 in Knowledge and Innovation fees. Additional delivery charges may apply depending on the selected option.
The Emirates Automobile and Touring Club also provides IDP services. Its current listed fee is Dh170 plus VAT. Applications can be made online or over the counter.
Travellers should therefore confirm the applicable fee at the airport before completing the new service rather than assuming that the airport charge is the same as the RTA or Emirates Automobile and Touring Club rates.
What other options are available for Dubai residents?
The airport service is an additional option rather than a replacement for existing IDP channels.
Dubai driving licence holders can continue to apply through the RTA’s digital channels, including its website, RTA Dubai app and Dubai Now. The RTA’s standard processing time is currently listed as two working days.
The Emirates Automobile and Touring Club also accepts online and over-the-counter applications. Its listed processing time is generally up to three working days for online applications, while counter applications can typically be completed within around half an hour.
This means motorists who plan their international trips still have several ways to obtain the permit without visiting DXB.
How does it benefit travellers
The new service is most useful for last-minute and frequent travellers who need an IDP shortly before an international journey.
For Dubai residents, having the service at DXB adds another option to the existing online and in-person channels. Its 24-hour availability is also useful for travellers with early-morning or late-night flights.
The service could also make the process more convenient for residents who regularly hire cars overseas or drive during international holidays. However, travellers should check the driving requirements of their destination country before departure, as IDP rules can vary.
For now, the key change is simple: eligible UAE motorists can access an International Driving Permit directly at Dubai Airport, with the new service designed to complete the process within five minutes.
FAQs
Can I get an International Driving Permit at Dubai Airport?
Yes. Eligible UAE citizens and residents can apply at the Customer Happiness Centre in Terminal 3 Arrivals at Dubai International Airport.
How quickly can the Dubai Airport IDP be issued?
GDRFA Dubai says the new service can issue the International Driving Permit in as little as five minutes, following verification and approval.
What documents are required for an IDP at DXB?
Applicants need an Emirates ID, valid UAE driving licence, passport copy and personal photograph.
How long is the International Driving Permit valid?
The RTA states that its International Driving Licence is valid for one year from the date of issue and must be used alongside a valid UAE driving licence.
How much does the new airport IDP service cost?
The fee for the new DXB service has not been announced by GDRFA Dubai. Existing RTA and Emirates Automobile and Touring Club services have separate published fees.
Dubai’s new airport-based International Driving Permit service gives UAE motorists a faster way to arrange the document before travelling abroad. Available 24/7 at Terminal 3 Arrivals, the service can complete eligible applications in as little as five minutes while existing RTA and Emirates Automobile and Touring Club channels remain available.
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