Dubai Police Arrest 8 Over AED 10,000 Fake Driving Licence Scheme
A gang charged AED 10,000 for foreign licences that skipped lessons and tests, then swapped them for UAE ones. Here is how the scheme worked and how to spot similar offers.
By Vadim Kouznetsov, published
Dubai Police have arrested eight suspects accused of selling foreign driving licences for AED 10,000 each to customers who never travelled abroad, took lessons or sat a test. The licences were then exchanged for UAE driving licences, and police warn that buyers who knowingly paid may also face legal action.
Gulf News and Khaleej Times both reported the arrests, which were made by Dubai Police's General Department of Criminal Investigation working with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
How the fake driving licence scheme worked
The scheme was uncovered by the force's Economic Crimes Department. According to Dubai Police, it exploited a legitimate system: holders of licences issued by certain countries can exchange them for a UAE licence without further training or testing, provided they meet the requirements.
Investigators say the gang worked like this:
- Finding customers: the suspects used offices belonging to transaction processing companies in the UAE to approach people and promote the service.
- The offer: a driving licence from a neighbouring country, with no need to travel there, learn to drive or pass the mandatory tests.
- The price: AED 10,000 per licence.
- The swap: once issued, the foreign licence was presented to the RTA for exchange into a UAE licence under existing international agreements.
Why buyers are at risk too
Dubai Police were clear that responsibility does not stop with the organisers. Anyone who knowingly pays for a driving licence obtained without following legal procedures may face penalties and legal action, Gulf News reported.
Swapping the licence at the RTA does not clean it up either. Police said exchanging an illegally obtained foreign licence for a UAE one does not make the original document legitimate, and it does not erase earlier violations or protect the holder.
The exchange agreements exist for drivers holding legally issued licences, not as a way around the rules on how a licence is issued.
There is a safety cost as well. Police warned that unqualified drivers on public roads put motorists, passengers, pedestrians and other road users at risk.
How to get a UAE driving licence legitimately
There are two honest routes, and neither involves a middleman promising shortcuts:
- Learn and test in the UAE through an approved driving institute, completing the required lessons and RTA tests.
- Exchange a licence you genuinely earned in an eligible country, after passing that country's own training and tests. Our guide on how to exchange your foreign driving licence for a Dubai licence covers the process.
Dubai Police urged residents to follow approved procedures and deal only with authorised entities. If you already hold a UAE licence and simply need a new card, see how to replace a lost or damaged Dubai driving licence.
How to spot a fake licence offer
Treat any of these as a warning sign:
- A promise of a licence without lessons, tests or travel.
- An office or agent offering to "arrange" a foreign licence for you.
- A pitch built around the exchange agreements as a shortcut.
Police encouraged residents to report people or companies offering licences through unlawful means. The same caution applies to rumours about licence rules shared online: Dubai Police have previously flagged false driving licence claims on social media.
Key takeaway
Dubai Police arrested eight suspects who sold foreign driving licences for AED 10,000 each, skipping lessons and tests, then swapped them for UAE licences. Buyers who knowingly pay can face legal action, and the RTA exchange does not make a fraudulent licence legal.
FAQ
Can I be punished for buying a fake driving licence in Dubai?
Yes. Dubai Police said anyone who knowingly pays for a licence obtained without following legal procedures may face penalties and legal action, not just the people selling it.
Does exchanging a foreign licence at the RTA make it legal?
No. Police said exchanging an illegally obtained foreign licence for a UAE one does not make the original document legitimate or exempt the holder from responsibility.
How much did the gang charge?
According to Dubai Police, the gang charged AED 10,000 per licence for documents from a neighbouring country that required no travel, lessons or tests.
How can I report a fake driving licence offer?
Dubai Police encouraged residents to report individuals or companies offering driving licences through unlawful means, so the authorities can identify fraud and protect the community.
What is the legal way to get a UAE driving licence?
Either complete lessons and tests through an approved driving institute, or exchange a licence you legally earned in an eligible country. Deal only with authorised entities.
Further reading
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