Residents are urged to use official apps and channels for verified traffic updates.
Dubai Police Deny Viral Driving Licence Rumours
Dubai: Dubai Police have dismissed recent social media rumours suggesting that driving licences from any country can now be exchanged for a UAE driving licence, confirming the claims are false.
Officials stated that the information, which circulated widely over the past two days, is inaccurate. No circular or official decision has been issued regarding any changes to driving licence replacement procedures.
Brigadier Juma Bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, urged the public to verify information before sharing it online, especially regarding official traffic regulations.
He emphasized that any changes or updates regarding driving licence replacement are communicated exclusively through official channels, noting that unverified social media posts are not considered reliable.
Brigadier Bin Suwaidan also advised residents to use official platforms and smart applications, such as Police Eye and the Traffic Information Centre, to access accurate updates and avoid being misled by rumours.
Meanwhile, Major Abdullah Al Shehhi, Director of the Cybercrime Department at Dubai Police, urged social media users to avoid spreading or reposting unverified information.
He highlighted that many circulating messages are inaccurate and unreliable, warning that sharing rumours can have legal consequences.
What the law says:
Under Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combatting Rumours and Cybercrimes, spreading false news or rumours online is a punishable offence.
Article 52 of the law states that anyone using information networks to publish, circulate, or repost false, misleading, or inaccurate news — or content that contradicts official announcements or harms public interest — may face at least one year in prison and a fine of no less than Dh100,000.
