Country guide — International Driving Permit
Palestinian International Driving Permit in the UAE
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Short answer
The UAE is on our guidance list and has been a party to both the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna conventions since 2007. The Palestinian IDP is for visitors and is carried with your valid Palestinian licence. If you become a UAE resident, different rules apply — check with your emirate’s licensing authority.
The legal basis: international road-traffic conventions
The United Arab Emirates has been a party to both the Geneva and the Vienna road-traffic conventions since 2007; Palestine has been a party to the Vienna Convention since 2019.
Visitor or resident? It matters
The IDP is meant for travel and visits. If you get UAE residence, it is not a long-term solution — check with the licensing authority of the emirate you live in (such as the RTA in Dubai) about a local licence.
Renting a car in the UAE
Car-rental companies may ask for the IDP together with your Palestinian licence, passport and a credit card — terms differ by company. Ask the company about its conditions and insurance cover before you book.
Carry both licences together: your valid Palestinian driving licence and the International Driving Permit, plus your passport. The IDP is an official translation of your licence, not a licence on its own.
Before you fly
Request the IDP in Palestine at least one working day before you fly, and make sure your Palestinian licence won’t expire during the trip. The IDP is valid for a year, so the same permit covers several trips within that year.
How long can you drive in the UAE as a visitor?
How long a visitor may drive on a foreign licence depends on the length of stay and the type of visa. Check with the country’s embassy or official traffic authority before you travel — don’t rely on unofficial websites.
Get your IDP in Palestine
The IDP is issued by the Palestinian Motor Sports and Motorcycles Federation, and Tasheel is its accredited agent. It costs 150 ILS, is ready in about one working day once your documents are complete, and is valid for one year from issue. Full details in our step-by-step IDP guide.
- Clear copy of your passport bio page (valid)
- Valid Palestinian driving licence — front (back recommended)
- Recent personal photo on a white background
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive in Dubai with the Palestinian IDP?
The UAE is on our guidance list for visitors. Carry the IDP with your valid Palestinian licence and passport, and check the rental company’s terms before booking.
I live in the UAE — is the IDP enough?
The IDP is for visits, not a substitute for a local licence for residents. Check with your emirate’s licensing authority.
How long can a visitor drive in the UAE?
How long a visitor may drive on a foreign licence depends on the length of stay and the type of visa. Check with the country’s embassy or official traffic authority before you travel — don’t rely on unofficial websites.
Is the IDP enough on its own to drive in the UAE?
No. The IDP is always carried with your valid Palestinian driving licence; it is never used on its own.
Request your IDP now
150 ILS · ready in about one working day · valid one year. A real team answers on WhatsApp.
Sources
- UN Treaty Collection — Convention on Road Traffic, Geneva 1949 (status)
- UN Treaty Collection — Convention on Road Traffic, Vienna 1968 (status)
This is guidance; rules can change at any time. Always check your destination’s rules before you travel.