UK/UAE Driving Licence | ExpatWoman.com
 

UK/UAE Driving Licence

256
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 18:16

Is it true that once you get your residency visa, it is illegal to drive with a UK driving licence? Are there any "grace" days whilst you get your licence. I heard that an English lady almost got put into gaol yesterday after someone crashed into her (I think she was stationary) but she didn't have a UAE licence. How do I go about getting a UAE driving licence? We don't have a PRO, btw, as my husband is self-employed. Presumably I can't do it until my residency visa comes through. Am I insured to drive my husband's UAE registered car with my UK driving licence? TIA

3863
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 12 September 2012 - 15:44
as a visitor (ie not got visa yet) you cannot drive with uk licence a private vehicle, you can only drive a rental car. only uae driving licence can drive private cars. RTA have told me with Uk and IDP I can drive our own car if on visit visa until the point that residency visa is applied for, and insurance said as long as RTA fine then insurance is valid. (3 times I called them to make sure I got the same story each time)x no before you could get a temp licence but they have stopped that, you cannot use your uk licence was residence visa is started, then you must apply for uae licence was you have visa. This isnt correct. RTA told me last week that you can drive a first degree relatives (e.g. husband, parent etc) UAE-registered car on a UK licence and be fully covered by insurance. If you have an International driving licence you can drive any UAE registered car. Both only apply while you dont have your residency visa...after that it gets messy!!! i would get that in writing first...... heard that many times, and problem is then insurance do not cover you The above quote is correct my friend was in a accident and even though the RTA and the insurers said she was okay to drive DH car insurance refused to pay out Be very careful!
4747
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 12 September 2012 - 15:22
as a visitor (ie not got visa yet) you cannot drive with uk licence a private vehicle, you can only drive a rental car. only uae driving licence can drive private cars. RTA have told me with Uk and IDP I can drive our own car if on visit visa until the point that residency visa is applied for, and insurance said as long as RTA fine then insurance is valid. (3 times I called them to make sure I got the same story each time)x no before you could get a temp licence but they have stopped that, you cannot use your uk licence was residence visa is started, then you must apply for uae licence was you have visa. This isnt correct. RTA told me last week that you can drive a first degree relatives (e.g. husband, parent etc) UAE-registered car on a UK licence and be fully covered by insurance. If you have an International driving licence you can drive any UAE registered car. Both only apply while you dont have your residency visa...after that it gets messy!!! i would get that in writing first...... heard that many times, and problem is then insurance do not cover you
1370
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 12 September 2012 - 12:58
Penny Lane - I checked the voluntary NI just before I came out as I'm 48years but have only paid for 17 years(was expat for 10 years earlier). One needs 30 years to qualify but can pay when abroad to ensure one has their 30yrs by retirement age. I cant' remember how much it was - think it was sth like £15.80 a week. I decided I would give it a year or two to see if we're staying here as i've got a little bit of time to play with.
126
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 September 2012 - 12:38
as a visitor (ie not got visa yet) you cannot drive with uk licence a private vehicle, you can only drive a rental car. only uae driving licence can drive private cars. RTA have told me with Uk and IDP I can drive our own car if on visit visa until the point that residency visa is applied for, and insurance said as long as RTA fine then insurance is valid. (3 times I called them to make sure I got the same story each time)x no before you could get a temp licence but they have stopped that, you cannot use your uk licence was residence visa is started, then you must apply for uae licence was you have visa. This isnt correct. RTA told me last week that you can drive a first degree relatives (e.g. husband, parent etc) UAE-registered car on a UK licence and be fully covered by insurance. If you have an International driving licence you can drive any UAE registered car. Both only apply while you dont have your residency visa...after that it gets messy!!!
841
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EW GURU
Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 23:20
When the card has expired (which mine has), what happens when you return to the UK? Does that mean you have to take a new test? As has been explained, no. Although your licence is made up of the photocard and the paper counterpart, the paper doesn't have to be renewed until you are 70, and even then you don't have to take a new driving test to do it. The photocard expires every 10 years simply because physical appearance changes over time and the authorities want your image in the photo to look reasonably close to whatever your current age is.
557
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EW GURU
Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 23:19
...the crux of the issue is that you are [b'>no longer a UK resident[/b'>, in the same way you cannot use the NHS unless in an emergency, legally - although lots do, but I don't fancy being plastered with a bill for that either, you can still be a British Citizen but you are not resident - end of story I was told .... Not actually correct you can still use the NHS, provided that Entitlement to Free NHS Hospital Treatment by Non-Resident UK Citizens This leaflet has been compiled to explain the entitlement requirements for free NHS hospital treatment in the UK for Non-Resident UK Citizens. • You will be exempt from charges if you can produce evidence that you have been working abroad for less than 5 years and have lived in the UK continuously for at least 10 years at some point I thought that there was some way of paying a small National Insurance contribution in the UK, whether resident or not, that meant you still had access to the NHS. Does anybody know about this? Yes, you can continue to pay voluntary National Insurance even though you do not pay income tax - i believe that if you have paid NI for more than 30 years the voluntary payments aren't necessary but i've never bothered to verify that...
4747
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 22:07
...the crux of the issue is that you are [b'>no longer a UK resident[/b'>, in the same way you cannot use the NHS unless in an emergency, legally - although lots do, but I don't fancy being plastered with a bill for that either, you can still be a British Citizen but you are not resident - end of story I was told .... Not actually correct you can still use the NHS, provided that Entitlement to Free NHS Hospital Treatment by Non-Resident UK Citizens This leaflet has been compiled to explain the entitlement requirements for free NHS hospital treatment in the UK for Non-Resident UK Citizens. • You will be exempt from charges if you can produce evidence that you have been working abroad for less than 5 years and have lived in the UK continuously for at least 10 years at some point I thought that there was some way of paying a small National Insurance contribution in the UK, whether resident or not, that meant you still had access to the NHS. Does anybody know about this? no there is a certain amount of ni that you can pay but that goes towards pension, not nhs. if you are not a uk resident you cannot use the nhs unless in emergency otherwise they are within their rights to charge you u take that chance.
256
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 22:05
...the crux of the issue is that you are [b'>no longer a UK resident[/b'>, in the same way you cannot use the NHS unless in an emergency, legally - although lots do, but I don't fancy being plastered with a bill for that either, you can still be a British Citizen but you are not resident - end of story I was told .... Not actually correct you can still use the NHS, provided that Entitlement to Free NHS Hospital Treatment by Non-Resident UK Citizens This leaflet has been compiled to explain the entitlement requirements for free NHS hospital treatment in the UK for Non-Resident UK Citizens. • You will be exempt from charges if you can produce evidence that you have been working abroad for less than 5 years and have lived in the UK continuously for at least 10 years at some point I thought that there was some way of paying a small National Insurance contribution in the UK, whether resident or not, that meant you still had access to the NHS. Does anybody know about this?
4747
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 22:03
When the card has expired (which mine has), what happens when you return to the UK? Does that mean you have to take a new test? I also understand that there is a huge (1000 pounds I think) fine for failing to renew the photocard...how does one get around this if you are unable to renew the card if you don't live there. I'm pretty confused about this!!! According to Madge it's not rocket science... Lol Pennylane...a good thing we're not Rocket Scientists then!! I'm not at any rate. I was worried about having to sit another test...which may have meant public transport for a considerable period on my return!!! you do not need to sit another test, they will just reissue you a new licence.
4747
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 22:03
When the card has expired (which mine has), what happens when you return to the UK? Does that mean you have to take a new test? I also understand that there is a huge (1000 pounds I think) fine for failing to renew the photocard...how does one get around this if you are unable to renew the card if you don't live there. I'm pretty confused about this!!! if you are not uk resident and your licence expires it doesnt matter, you are not legally allowed to renew it, as you are not resident, when you become resident again in the future, you just inform dvla that you are back and they will reissue you a new licence, you will not be fined as you are not uk resident and so you are not entitled to a uk licence anyways.
4747
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 22:01
If the RTA are entitled to retain your UK licence why don't they ? Personally, I don't understand what right they have to keep it when they didn't issue it or pay for it and it is valid until you are 70 years old... If you surrender it to DVLA what happens when you return to the UK ? How do you get it back ? because they cant be bothered to send them all back to dvla.
4747
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 22:01
as a visitor (ie not got visa yet) you cannot drive with uk licence a private vehicle, you can only drive a rental car. only uae driving licence can drive private cars. RTA have told me with Uk and IDP I can drive our own car if on visit visa until the point that residency visa is applied for, and insurance said as long as RTA fine then insurance is valid. (3 times I called them to make sure I got the same story each time)x no before you could get a temp licence but they have stopped that, you cannot use your uk licence was residence visa is started, then you must apply for uae licence was you have visa.
1430
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 18:34
...the crux of the issue is that you are [b'>no longer a UK resident[/b'>, in the same way you cannot use the NHS unless in an emergency, legally - although lots do, but I don't fancy being plastered with a bill for that either, you can still be a British Citizen but you are not resident - end of story I was told ....
1617
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 16:12
When the card has expired (which mine has), what happens when you return to the UK? Does that mean you have to take a new test? I also understand that there is a huge (1000 pounds I think) fine for failing to renew the photocard...how does one get around this if you are unable to renew the card if you don't live there. I'm pretty confused about this!!! According to Madge it's not rocket science... Lol Pennylane...a good thing we're not Rocket Scientists then!! I'm not at any rate. I was worried about having to sit another test...which may have meant public transport for a considerable period on my return!!!
557
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 15:58
When the card has expired (which mine has), what happens when you return to the UK? Does that mean you have to take a new test? I also understand that there is a huge (1000 pounds I think) fine for failing to renew the photocard...how does one get around this if you are unable to renew the card if you don't live there. I'm pretty confused about this!!! According to Madge it's not rocket science...
557
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 15:57
If the RTA are entitled to retain your UK licence why don't they ? Personally, I don't understand what right they have to keep it when they didn't issue it or pay for it and it is valid until you are 70 years old... If you surrender it to DVLA what happens when you return to the UK ? How do you get it back ? Actually... the card licenses do expire... take a look at the date on your UK license, you need to renew... but if you are living here then I guess it will expire anyway. edited by roysie on 11/09/2012 Only the plastic part.... The paper is valid til I'm 70
557
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 15:55
If the RTA are entitled to retain your UK licence why don't they ? Either they're not aware that they should, or they simply don't care. Personally, I don't understand what right they have to keep it when they didn't issue it or pay for it The DVLA itself says that the RTA should retain the licence and send it back to Swansea. If you surrender it to DVLA what happens when you return to the UK ? How do you get it back ? You write to them and provide proof that you're living permanently in the UK again, and they send you a new licence. Not really rocket science ;) Thank you for your detailed response and sarcasm :D
3863
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 10:54
When the card has expired (which mine has), what happens when you return to the UK? Does that mean you have to take a new test? I also understand that there is a huge (1000 pounds I think) fine for failing to renew the photocard...how does one get around this if you are unable to renew the card if you don't live there. I'm pretty confused about this!!! I would ring the DVLA and ask they are pretty good for advice unlike the customer service in Dubai
1617
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 10:45
When the card has expired (which mine has), what happens when you return to the UK? Does that mean you have to take a new test? I also understand that there is a huge (1000 pounds I think) fine for failing to renew the photocard...how does one get around this if you are unable to renew the card if you don't live there. I'm pretty confused about this!!!
1022
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 08:36
If the RTA are entitled to retain your UK licence why don't they ? Personally, I don't understand what right they have to keep it when they didn't issue it or pay for it and it is valid until you are 70 years old... If you surrender it to DVLA what happens when you return to the UK ? How do you get it back ? Actually... the card licenses do expire... take a look at the date on your UK license, you need to renew... but if you are living here then I guess it will expire anyway. <em>edited by roysie on 11/09/2012</em>
841
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 08:32
If the RTA are entitled to retain your UK licence why don't they ? Either they're not aware that they should, or they simply don't care. Personally, I don't understand what right they have to keep it when they didn't issue it or pay for it The DVLA itself says that the RTA should retain the licence and send it back to Swansea. If you surrender it to DVLA what happens when you return to the UK ? How do you get it back ? You write to them and provide proof that you're living permanently in the UK again, and they send you a new licence. Not really rocket science ;)
557
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 22:15
If the RTA are entitled to retain your UK licence why don't they ? Personally, I don't understand what right they have to keep it when they didn't issue it or pay for it and it is valid until you are 70 years old... If you surrender it to DVLA what happens when you return to the UK ? How do you get it back ?
103
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 22:14
as a visitor (ie not got visa yet) you cannot drive with uk licence a private vehicle, you can only drive a rental car. only uae driving licence can drive private cars. RTA have told me with Uk and IDP I can drive our own car if on visit visa until the point that residency visa is applied for, and insurance said as long as RTA fine then insurance is valid. (3 times I called them to make sure I got the same story each time)x
4747
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 21:04
... and don't forget once you have your UAE licence your UK licence is invalid to drive in the UK on it .... DVLA told me this first hand, you are no longer a UK resident - no matter if you pay tax, have a house etc etc. Lots still use their UK licence when back home but it's illegal - straight from the DVLA's mouth, don't believe what the UK hire car companies tell you! yep and find out the hard way when they refuse any claim on insurance because as a non uk resident you should not have your uk licence anyways it should be sent back to swansea, so you cannot use it, you must use your uae licence, they will take that no probs.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 21:03
thanks on the name, but don't get too attached to it ;) You can go to the RTA in Al Barsha, or the new Municipality building on SZR where there is an RTA counter. Sorry am not sure on paper/card as only paper was around when I did mine but yes take everything. You should also take an NOC from your DH saying he has no objection to you driving (If you are on his sponsorship) - can't remember if you need this or not so just take it in case. NOC should mention your/his passport numbers etc and just say "I, Mr Emmsie, holder of XYZ passport no XX, have no objection to Mrs Emmsie holding a driving license". You'll need the driving license application form (which DH will have to sign as your sponsor), and eye test certificate, pp copies/visa copies. Think that's it........ Maybe Emirates ID card now too, or the proof that it is in process which you will have as part of your residence visa process. hth! yes noc is required if you are not sponsor. in ad they have a profoma as its in arabic, so you just fill in the gaps and sign. uk drivers licence, eye test, emirates id in ad (not sure if compulsory yet in dubai) passport/visa etc.
4747
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 21:01
as a visitor (ie not got visa yet) you cannot drive with uk licence a private vehicle, you can only drive a rental car. only uae driving licence can drive private cars.
4747
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 21:00
Is it true that once you get your residency visa, it is illegal to drive with a UK driving licence? Are there any "grace" days whilst you get your licence. I heard that an English lady almost got put into gaol yesterday after someone crashed into her (I think she was stationary) but she didn't have a UAE licence. How do I go about getting a UAE driving licence? We don't have a PRO, btw, as my husband is self-employed. Presumably I can't do it until my residency visa comes through. Am I insured to drive my husband's UAE registered car with my UK driving licence? TIA yes you cannot use your uk driving licence, as in theory once you have been issued with uae licence rta should return it to swansea. there is no grace period. you must get taxis etc.
256
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 20:22
Now there's an idea! One in every port. No, not when you come to think about it despite the fun possibilities. Too much stress and hassle x
833
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EW GURU
Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 19:47
Oh! Darling. Oh dear, I feel terrible that I didn't guess that D was for darling and I thought it was Dubai. Don't tell my DH, especially as he really is a D! Love it!! Dubai Husband as opposed to the other ones :D
256
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 19:39
Oh! Darling. Oh dear, I feel terrible that I didn't guess that D was for darling and I thought it was Dubai. Don't tell my DH, especially as he really is a D!
 
 

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