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  #1  
Old 1 Feb 2009
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Foreigners cannot drive their own car/bike in the UAE
The Embassy of the UAE told me that foreigners are not allowed to drive their own vehicles, cars or motorcycles, in the UAE. The only way you can drive is to rent a car. They insisted that this is their law. Is this true?
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Old 2 Feb 2009
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Originally Posted by road warrior View Post
The Embassy of the UAE told me that foreigners are not allowed to drive their own vehicles, cars or motorcycles, in the UAE. The only way you can drive is to rent a car. They insisted that this is their law. Is this true?
I can't comment on the 'law' but I really wouldn't worry about it. Just turn up and enter like everyone else. The UAE is a major crossing point for travelers going from Africa into Asia and vice versa.

I've regularly ridden a bike on UK plates and never been stopped.

In 2008, a traveler with UK plates had his bike stolen and had to deal with the police - I don't think they mentioned this 'law'.

The grey area is insurance which you can't get for a foreign vehicle so I suppose makes you technically illegal. But, as I said, foreign vehicles are not pulled over. As in other countries which don't make insurance available, try not to have an accident!

Stephan
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Old 2 Feb 2009
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non GCC vehicles rare here
Not sure about the law here (Dubai, UAE) on foreign vehicles but certainly vehicles from outside the GCC are not that common.

Generally the police in Duabi dont bother drivers unless they are overloaded, they certainly dont stop drivers for dangerous driving, and are much happier to dish out fines.

Like Stephano said just don't have an accident, sometimes easier said than done here!
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Old 3 Feb 2009
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non GCC vehicles rare here
Not sure about the law here (Dubai, UAE) on foreign vehicles but certainly vehicles from outside the GCC are not that common.

Generally the police in Duabi dont bother drivers unless they are overloaded, they certainly dont stop drivers for dangerous driving, and are much happier to dish out fines.

Like Stephano said just don't have an accident, sometimes easier said than done here!
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  #5  
Old 3 Feb 2009
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It may depend on your situation.
I owned my own car, and imported my motorcycle to Abu Dhabi, and registered and drove both. I needed a letter from my employer saying that they didn't object to me doing so. Dubai is pretty much the same. There are hoops to jump through to get your licence. 1 rule was that your licence had to be issued in the same country as your passport.
I met people doing a RTW on their motorbikes, who were driving though.
I worked with a fellow who brought his jeep from Bahrain, was told he had 3 months to import and register it, and then 1.5 months later almost wound up in jail when he was hit by a local, because he had failed to import the vehicle when he got his residence/work visa. Lots of BS involved in accidents with locals.
As far as I know rules are slightly different in each emirate, and importing of a vehicle may now have restrictions.
Getting a car is fairly easy. Check out the Abu Dhabi police site, or automobile ministry sites for better information. I left in June 2008.
Good luck
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Old 17 Feb 2009
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I entered the UAE with my RSA regestered bike and used it in the country for 3 years before leaving again. I got my insurance in Oman, with an UAE extension. I've been pulled over once in Abu Dhabi by a friendly cop just checking, no issues.
johan
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Old 19 Feb 2009
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Just read an article that noted with the current economic crisis, you should be able to pick up some pretty slick wheels at discount prices from foreigners who are leaving the country after getting laid off. That is if you have a the money to pay for it, or the desire to export. Exporting isn't that bad, asuming your country of destination is good with it. 15 years or older is relatively simple to do to Canada(no restrictions), just ship it to the USA first and drive across the border... PITA doing it by shipping straight to Canada (from Personal experience.)
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Old 9 Dec 2014
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Originally Posted by jc View Post
I entered the UAE with my RSA regestered bike and used it in the country for 3 years before leaving again. I got my insurance in Oman, with an UAE extension. I've been pulled over once in Abu Dhabi by a friendly cop just checking, no issues.
johan
Hi Johan,

what insurance you've bought in Oman that offered this?
Because I'm a bit in the same situation right now.

Greets
Manuel
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