Eight Arrested in Dh10,000 Scheme to Bypass UAE Driving Tests
Dubai Police arrested eight suspects for operating a fraudulent network that charged motorists Dh10,000 to obtain foreign driving licences without taking lessons, passing tests, or travelling abroad. The operation targeted driver applicants seeking to bypass mandatory training by converting illegal foreign credentials into valid local driving permits.
Fraud Network Exploited Official Exchange Agreements
The Economic Crimes Department within the General Department of Criminal Investigation uncovered the scheme, which used offices belonging to transaction processing companies in the UAE to approach potential buyers. Working in cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), investigators determined the group offered licences purportedly issued by a neighbouring country. The network then exploited international agreements that allow eligible foreign licence holders to swap credentials for a UAE driving permit without sitting required examinations.
Authorities warned that criminal liability extends beyond the organizers of the fraud. Motorists who knowingly pay for unlawfully issued foreign permits face prosecution and legal penalties, even if the eventual credential swap occurs through official government channels.
