Where you can get your permit in Dubai
Dubai opened this counter on 14 September 2026. It sits in Terminal 3 arrivals and never closes. It is UAE licence holders only, and it does not cover driving inside the UAE.
Permit sorted, flight next. A Wego search opens live fares out of Dubai for whatever dates you pick.
Questions
Can a visitor use the Dubai airport counter?
No. It is for UAE citizens and residents who already hold a valid UAE driving licence. A permit translates a national licence, so only the country that issued your licence can issue the one that goes with it.
What does the airport counter cost?
No fee has been published for it. The two existing routes are AED 170 plus VAT at a club counter and AED 197 through the RTA online, so budget in that range and ask before you hand over your documents.
Does an International Driving Permit let me drive inside the UAE?
No. The Emirates Automobile and Touring Club states plainly that its permit does not cover driving in the UAE. It works abroad, alongside your UAE licence, for the trip you are about to take.
How long does the permit last?
One year, counted from the day it is issued rather than the day you fly. Collecting one months ahead of a trip throws away part of its life, so time it close to departure.
Can I use the airport counter after I land, not just before I leave?
Yes. The counter is open 24 hours in the Terminal 3 arrivals hall, so it works whether you are departing today or have just landed and want to sort your next trip early.
Sources
- Gulf News, the airport counter, its 14 September 2026 opening, hours, location and documents, retrieved 15 September 2026.
- Khaleej Times, the launch date and the RTA’s AED 197 online fee, broken down, retrieved 15 September 2026.
- Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE, the club route, its AED 170 plus VAT fee, its counter and online timings, one-year validity, and that the permit does not cover driving in the UAE, retrieved 15 September 2026.
How this was checked, and what is missing
- Every figure comes from GDRFA Dubai, the RTA or ATCUAE’s own pages, or a news report quoting them directly, never a third-party permit reseller.
- No fee for the airport counter has appeared in any announcement. The two AED figures shown are the pre-existing routes it now sits alongside.
- This page covers the UAE process only. It does not compare how other countries issue their own International Driving Permits.
Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.
