Suspects accused of providing foreign driving licences without training or tests for conversion into UAE licences.
Dubai: Dubai Police have arrested eight individuals suspected of operating an illegal driving licence scheme that allegedly enabled customers to obtain licences from a neighbouring country without visiting it, attending driving classes or completing the required examinations.
According to Dubai Police, the suspects charged Dh10,000 for each licence and allegedly took advantage of international driving licence exchange agreements to help customers convert fraudulently acquired foreign licences into valid UAE driving licences.
The arrests were made by the General Department of Criminal Investigation at Dubai Police, in coordination with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
The alleged operation was uncovered by the Economic Crimes Department, which identified suspected misuse of official agreements allowing eligible drivers with licences issued by certain countries to exchange them for UAE driving licences without undergoing additional training or tests.
How the alleged driving licence scam worked
Investigators found that the suspects allegedly operated through offices belonging to transaction processing companies in the UAE, where they approached prospective customers and advertised their unauthorised services.
The suspects allegedly promised to secure driving licences from a neighbouring country without applicants having to visit the country, attend driving classes or complete mandatory examinations.
After obtaining the foreign licences, customers could reportedly submit them to Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) for conversion into UAE driving licences through existing international exchange agreements.
Investigators said the alleged operation was designed to evade the training and assessment procedures that ensure motorists have the skills and knowledge required to drive safely on public roads.
International driving licence exchange agreements are intended to make the process easier for eligible motorists who already possess legally issued foreign licences. However, Dubai Police emphasised that these agreements do not authorise applicants to disregard the laws and conditions governing how the original licences are obtained.
Dubai Police highlight serious road safety concerns
Dubai Police cautioned that securing a driving licence through fraudulent or unauthorised methods is more than a breach of licensing regulations, as it can also endanger public safety.
Driving lessons and practical examinations play a crucial role in evaluating whether motorists understand traffic regulations, possess adequate driving skills and can respond appropriately to different road conditions.
Circumventing these safeguards could allow individuals without the necessary qualifications to operate vehicles on public roads, potentially putting drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other road users in danger.
Authorities advised residents to remain vigilant when dealing with individuals or companies claiming they can obtain driving licences without mandatory lessons, examinations or official legal requirements.
Applicants could also face legal consequences
Dubai Police warned that criminal or legal liability may not be limited to those organising fraudulent driving licence services.
Individuals who knowingly pay to obtain licences through illegal procedures could also face legal action and penalties, the force said.
Police clarified that converting an unlawfully obtained foreign driving licence into a UAE licence does not automatically validate the original document or remove the holder’s legal responsibility.
Even if the licence is exchanged through an official channel, that process cannot legitimise unlawful actions involved in securing the original foreign licence.
Residents advised to use authorised licensing channels
Dubai Police reiterated that international driving licence exchange agreements exist to simplify procedures for motorists holding genuine foreign licences issued in accordance with the relevant laws.
Such arrangements do not provide an exemption from the legal requirements for obtaining a driving licence in the country where it was originally issued.
Residents applying for driving licences were urged to follow established procedures and seek assistance only from officially authorised service providers.
The public was also encouraged to report individuals or businesses advertising illegal driving licence services, helping authorities detect fraudulent operations and prevent potential risks to the community.
Dubai Police reaffirmed that proper driver training, testing and qualification are essential to maintaining road safety, stressing that international licence exchange agreements must never be misused to bypass these fundamental safeguards.
