UAE Driver Experience Certificate: Essential Steps for Application, Fees, and MOFA Attestation

Dubai residents planning to move abroad and apply for a driving licence in their new country will find their UAE driving record crucial. To validate their driving experience, individuals must obtain a Driver Experience Certificate, which serves as an official document detailing their traffic history and licence issuance date.

Understanding the Driver Experience Certificate

The Driver Experience Certificate is a comprehensive document that encapsulates an individual’s traffic records and the date of driving licence issuance, as noted by the relevant emirate. This certificate has been revised to align with international standards, making it suitable for use in foreign jurisdictions.

Beyond validating driving history, the certificate acts as an official traffic record that can be presented to potential employers who require proof of driving experience. For those without a current driving licence or training file, a “To Whom It May Concern” Certificate can be obtained from the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the UAE Ministry of Interior (MOI) to document previous traffic records.

Key Considerations Before Applying

Several important factors must be noted prior to applying for the Driver Experience Certificate:

• Eligibility requires that applicants possess a driving licence issued in Dubai.
• All outstanding fines and dues with the RTA must be settled before applying.
• The certificate must be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) for international validity.
• The certificate remains valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.

Application Process for the Driver Experience Certificate

Applying for the Driver Experience Certificate is straightforward and can be completed online through the RTA website or the RTA Dubai app, available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

To apply via the RTA website, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to rta.ae, select ‘RTA Services,’ and choose ‘Apply for a Driver Experience Certificate.’
2. Log in using one of the following: Emirates ID number and expiry date, driving licence number and issuance date, or plate number.
3. Enter the one-time password sent to your registered phone number for identity verification.
4. Settle any outstanding fines and fees.
5. Once submitted, the certificate will be sent to your email immediately.

Cost: The application fee is Dh100, with an additional Knowledge and Innovation fee of Dh20.

Attestation Requirements for the Certificate

For the Driver Experience Certificate to be recognized internationally, it must be authenticated and stamped by MOFA.

According to Imran Khan, managing director at I K Lawyers, the certificate does not require attestation for use within the UAE and is generally accepted for employment and insurance purposes. However, for international use, MOFA attestation is mandatory, and additional legalisation may be necessary depending on the destination country.

Attestation confirms that the traffic record has been certified by the appropriate authorities, allowing it to be used in court and other formal procedures if required. This process also facilitates job applications, visa acquisition, and obtaining an international driving licence.

To attest the Driver Experience Certificate, it must first be obtained from the RTA, ensuring it contains a verification mechanism such as a QR code, reference number, or barcode.

Steps for Digital Attestation

To complete the digital attestation process, follow these steps:

1. Visit the official MOFA service portal at mofa.gov.ae/en/services/attestation and register for the service.
2. Choose ‘Digital document’ from the available options.
3. Fill in the required details, including the issuing authority, document type, and applicant information.
4. Confirm that the document was issued in the UAE and select the destination country.
5. Upload the Driver Experience Certificate.
6. Review the information and pay the fees using a credit card.
7. A confirmation message will be sent upon successful submission, including a reference number for tracking the application status via ‘My Workspace’ on MOFA’s website. The processing time is typically two hours during working hours.

Alternatively, applicants can opt for courier-based attestation, where MOFA will attest the document and send it via courier within one to three working days, depending on the courier service.

Cost: The attestation service fee is Dh150.

For further details, refer to the original reporting source, as reported by www.emirates247.com.

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Published on 2026-07-26 18:16:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk