Asan Tata— October 9, 2026Getting married, fixing a misspelled name, or updating your nationality on record all mean one thing: your driving licence needs to match. Learning how to change personal details on a driving licence in the UAE matters because the licence is an official identity document — if the name or nationality on it does not match your Emirates ID or passport, you can run into problems at traffic stops, car rental counters, and even insurance claims. The good news is that the process is short and straightforward in every emirate, as long as your underlying documents are already updated.
This guide explains what details you can change, which documents you need, and the exact steps in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Whether you need to correct a spelling mistake, update your name after marriage, or refresh your photo, you will know where to go and what to carry before you leave home.
Quick Answer
To change personal details on a UAE driving licence, visit the traffic authority in the emirate that issued your licence — in Dubai that is the RTA, which offers an “Amend Driving Licence Data” service at its Customer Happiness Centres, and in Abu Dhabi it is the TAMM platform or Abu Dhabi Police e-services. Bring your original, valid Emirates ID and the original driving licence, plus supporting documents for the specific change (for example, a new passport or an attested marriage certificate for a name change). The service fee is typically in the AED 100–300 range depending on your age and emirate, plus small administrative charges — check the official portal before you go. The amendment usually takes only a few minutes, and the changes stay valid for the remaining validity period of your licence.
What Details Can You Change on a Driving Licence?
Not every field on the card is editable, and the authorities will only change details that are supported by an official document. The most common updates are:
- Name spelling or name change — correcting a typo from your first licence application, or a legal name change after marriage or divorce.
- Nationality — if your citizenship has changed since the licence was issued.
- Photograph — updating an old or poor-quality photo on the card.
- Address and contact details — your registered address, phone number, and email, which are often updated automatically through your Emirates ID record.
- Category additions or corrections — adding a new vehicle category or correcting a wrongly assigned one, which usually involves separate tests.
One important rule: the traffic authority generally treats your Emirates ID as the master record. Core identity fields — name spelling, nationality, date of birth — should first be corrected on your Emirates ID with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). If you are due for an ID update, our guide to Emirates ID renewal in the UAE explains how that process works. Once your ID record is correct, amending the licence is usually a formality.
Documents You Need
Walk-in services work fastest when you carry everything the counter officer might ask for. Prepare:
- Original, valid Emirates ID (the officer needs the physical card, not a copy).
- Original driving licence.
- Passport with the updated name or nationality, if relevant.
- Supporting documents for the specific change: an attested marriage or divorce certificate for a name change, a new citizenship certificate for a nationality change, or a court order for a legal name correction. Foreign-language documents may need Arabic translation plus attestation — see our UAE document attestation process guide if your certificates were issued abroad.
- A recent passport-style photograph, if you are also changing your licence photo.
Make sure there are no unpaid traffic fines against your name or vehicle before you apply — outstanding fines can block licensing transactions. A quick check using the UAE traffic fines guide takes a minute and can save you a wasted trip.
How to Change Personal Details on a Driving Licence in Dubai
In Dubai, personal detail amendments are handled by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) through its Amend Driving Licence Data service. Here is the typical process:
- Update your traffic file first, if needed. If your photograph, name, or nationality has already been corrected in your RTA traffic file, the amended information flows onto the reprinted licence automatically — you may not need a separate amendment request.
- Visit an RTA Customer Happiness Centre. Take your original Emirates ID, your driving licence, and your supporting documents. The official UAE Government driving licence page links to the RTA e-services for licence-related applications.
- Submit the documents and pay the fee. Fees for amending licence data are typically around AED 100 for applicants under 21 and AED 300 for applicants 21 and older, plus small knowledge and innovation charges — confirm the current amount on rta.ae, as fees can be revised.
- Receive the amended licence. The whole counter process usually takes about five minutes. Your digital driving licence also updates in the RTA Dubai app, so you have a valid copy on your phone even before you print the card.
Dubai has also streamlined many routine driver-licensing tasks for online completion under its digital services push, so it is worth checking the RTA website or app first — some contact-detail updates can be done without a centre visit. For more context on keeping every licence field current, see our guide to updating driving licence details.
How to Change Personal Details on a Driving Licence in Abu Dhabi
In Abu Dhabi, driving licence services run through TAMM, the emirate’s government services platform, and the Abu Dhabi Police e-services portal. The general steps are:
- Log in to TAMM or the Abu Dhabi Police portal with your UAE Pass or Emirates ID.
- Navigate to the driving licence services section and choose the option to amend or update licence data.
- Upload or present the required documents — valid Emirates ID, original licence, and proof of the change.
- Pay the applicable fee online or at a service centre, then collect or receive the updated licence.
If your case is unusual — for example, a name change involving documents from another country — visiting a traffic and licensing service centre in person is the safer option, since staff can verify your documents on the spot. Licence data corrections in Abu Dhabi also typically retain the original licence’s expiry date, so you are not paying for a full renewal.
What It Costs and How Long It Takes
Amending personal details is one of the cheaper licensing transactions in the UAE. As a rough guide:
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Amendment fee (Dubai, RTA) | Around AED 100 (under 21) to AED 300 (21+), plus admin charges |
| Amendment fee (Abu Dhabi/other emirates) | Varies by authority — check TAMM or the MOI portal |
| Counter time | Usually a few minutes |
| New card delivery (if ordered) | A few working days |
The amendment remains valid only until the expiry of your current licence — it does not extend the validity period. If your licence is expiring soon anyway, it can be smarter to wait and correct the details during the renewal process instead. See how to check your driving licence expiry to decide which route makes sense.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Updating the licence before the Emirates ID. If your ID still carries the old name or nationality, the traffic system may overwrite your correction with the old data. Fix the ID first.
- Bringing photocopies only. Most counters insist on seeing the original Emirates ID and licence.
- Using untranslated foreign documents. Marriage or divorce certificates issued abroad generally need Arabic translation and attestation to be accepted.
- Ignoring outstanding fines. Even unrelated fines can stall the transaction at the counter.
- Waiting until the last minute. If you need the corrected licence for a car rental or insurance paperwork, do the amendment a week ahead rather than the morning of.
If this is your first time dealing with the UAE licensing system, our complete driving licence guide walks through the full lifecycle of a licence — from application and tests to renewal and amendments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I change my name on my driving licence after marriage?
Yes. Update your name on your Emirates ID first, then apply for an amendment with the traffic authority in your emirate, carrying your attested marriage certificate and new passport as supporting documents.
Do I need to change my photo on the licence when I renew my Emirates ID photo?
Not automatically, but you can request a photo update when you amend your licence data or at renewal. A new photograph is usually quick to add at the counter.
Will changing my details extend my licence validity?
No. Amendments keep the original expiry date. If your licence expires soon, consider doing the correction during renewal to avoid paying twice.
Can I change my address on the licence online?
In many cases yes — contact details linked to your Emirates ID record often update automatically, and Dubai’s RTA app and website let you manage some details digitally. Core identity fields like name and nationality usually require a counter visit with original documents.
What if the name on my licence does not match my passport?
Correct it as soon as possible. A mismatch can cause problems with car rentals, insurance claims, and traffic checks. Start with your Emirates ID, then amend the licence.
The Bottom Line
Changing personal details on a UAE driving licence is a short, inexpensive task — but only if your Emirates ID is correct first and you carry the right originals. Update the ID, gather your supporting documents, clear any fines, and the counter visit itself should take minutes. Keep the correction done well ahead of any trip or rental that needs the licence, and you will never have to think about it again.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Asan Tata is a UAE-focused writer at Asantata34, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Asantata34 is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.
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