Dubai Police expose fraudulent scheme selling foreign licences without tests

The suspects allegedly charged ten thousand dirhams for each licence and used existing international licence exchange arrangements to turn the fraudulently obtained documents into UAE permits.

The operation was uncovered by the Economic Crimes wing of Dubai Police, working together with the General Department of Criminal Investigation, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Roads and Transport Authority.

How the scheme functioned

Investigators said the gang set up offices inside firms that process transactions in the Emirates to approach potential clients and advertise the illicit service.

They told customers they could secure a driving licence from a nearby country without having to go there, attend any instruction or sit the required examinations.

Once the foreign licence was in hand, the holder could present it to Dubai’s RTA for conversion into a local licence under the bilateral exchange agreements that exist between the UAE and certain nations.

The whole setup aimed to sidestep the mandatory training and testing that are meant to confirm that drivers have the competence and awareness to use public roads safely.

Official stance on exchange agreements

Dubai Police stressed that the international licence exchange pacts are intended only for holders of legally issued foreign licences and do not give anyone permission to bypass the rules that govern the original issuance of a permit in the issuing country.

The force warned that obtaining a licence through unlawful channels is more than a breach of procedure; it creates a genuine danger to road safety because lessons and tests are the safeguards that check whether a driver can handle varied traffic situations.

Allowing unqualified individuals onto the streets puts motorists, passengers, pedestrians and other road users at risk, the police added.

Advice to the public

Dubai Police urged residents to be wary of anyone offering to arrange a licence without the prescribed training, examinations or legal steps.

The authority also noted that responsibility may extend beyond the organisers; anyone who knowingly pays for a licence procured through illegal means could face sanctions and prosecution.

It clarified that converting an illicit foreign licence into a UAE document does not legitimise the original paper or absolve the holder from accountability.

Completing the official exchange process cannot be used to excuse or validate the violations committed while acquiring the foreign licence, the force said.

The police reminded the public that the exchange agreements exist solely to facilitate the swap of licences that already satisfy the relevant standards, and they do not allow applicants to evade the rules governing the original issuance in their home countries.

Anyone who needs a driving licence should follow the approved procedures and deal only with authorised bodies, Dubai Police said.

Residents were also encouraged to report individuals or firms that promote licences through unlawful channels so that authorities can identify fraudulent behaviour and protect the community.

Finally, Dubai Police reaffirmed that making sure drivers are properly trained and qualified remains a cornerstone of road safety, and that the exchange arrangements must not be exploited to undermine essential licensing requirements.