Asan Tata— October 9, 2026Changed your name, moved house, got a new passport or phone number? Your UAE driving licence needs to reflect your current details — otherwise you can run into failed verifications, delayed renewals and mismatched records when dealing with traffic authorities, rental companies or insurers. Learning how to update driving licence details is straightforward, and most updates can be done online in a single session.
This guide covers which details you can update on a UAE driving licence, the documents you will need for each type of change, the step-by-step online and in-person process, and how licence updates connect to your Emirates ID and traffic file. It applies to licences issued in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the other emirates, with notes on where the process differs.
Quick Answer
To update driving licence details in the UAE, log in with UAE Pass to your licensing authority’s portal — the RTA website or app for Dubai, TAMM for Abu Dhabi, or the MOI UAE app for other emirates — select the licence update or modification service, upload supporting documents (such as your new Emirates ID or passport), pay the service fee, and receive the updated licence. Simple updates like a phone number can be done in minutes; name changes require official supporting documents.
Which Details Can You Update on a Driving Licence?
Not every field on a licence can be changed on request, but most personal details can. Here is what is typically possible:
| Detail | Can it be updated? | Typical supporting document |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile number / email | Yes | None, or OTP verification |
| Residential address / emirate | Yes | Tenancy contract or utility bill, updated Emirates ID |
| Name (after legal name change) | Yes | New passport, court order or official name-change certificate |
| Nationality | Yes, in genuine cases | New passport |
| Passport number | Yes | New passport |
| Photograph | Yes | New photo to official specifications |
| Date of birth | Only to correct an error | Birth certificate or passport showing correct date |
Licence class, issue date and traffic file number cannot be changed through an update — those relate to your driving entitlements and history, not your personal details.
How to Update Driving Licence Details Online
The online route is the fastest for most updates. The exact screens differ by emirate, but the flow is the same.
Dubai (RTA)
- Open the RTA website or the RTA Dubai app and log in with UAE Pass.
- Go to driver’s licensing services and choose the service for updating or modifying licence details.
- Select the detail you want to change and fill in the new information.
- Upload the supporting documents requested (for example, a copy of your new Emirates ID).
- Pay the service fee online and submit.
- You will receive confirmation by SMS or email, and the updated digital licence becomes available in the app.
Abu Dhabi (TAMM)
Log in to the TAMM platform with UAE Pass, find the driving licence services, and select the update option. Abu Dhabi’s process is fully digital for most personal-detail changes, with document uploads handled inside the same application.
Other emirates (MOI UAE app)
For Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain, use the MOI UAE app or the federal traffic services on the UAE government portal. Log in with UAE Pass, open your licence record, and follow the modification service prompts.
In person
If your update involves a complex case — such as correcting a wrongly recorded date of birth — visiting a customer service centre with your original documents can be faster than going back and forth online. Bring your Emirates ID, passport, licence and the supporting document for the change.
Documents Needed for a Driving Licence Update
Requirements vary with the type of change, but a typical update asks for:
- Valid Emirates ID (original for in-person visits, copy for online)
- Current driving licence
- Passport copy (for name, nationality or passport-number changes)
- Official proof of the change — for example, a marriage certificate, court order, new tenancy contract or updated visa page
- A recent photograph meeting official specifications (for photo updates)
For a full breakdown of what licensing authorities generally ask for, see our guide to documents needed for a driving licence.
How to Change Personal Details on a Driving Licence After Major Life Events
Certain life events almost always require a licence update. The most common:
- Marriage or divorce: if your legal name changed, update the licence to match your new passport and Emirates ID. Our dedicated walkthrough on how to change personal details on a driving licence covers name changes in detail.
- New passport: passport numbers change on renewal in many countries, and the licence file should match.
- Moving emirates: update your address so fines, reminders and the renewed card reach you.
- New phone number: update it immediately — OTPs for renewals and fine payments go to the registered number.
Licence Updates and Your Emirates ID
Your driving licence record pulls identity data from your Emirates ID file. In practice, this means you should update your Emirates ID first, then the licence. If you have just completed your Emirates ID renewal or a details update with the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, give the systems a short time to sync before updating the licence, or you may see the old details reappear.
Fees and Processing Time
Simple updates such as a phone number or email change are typically low-cost or free, while updates requiring a reprinted card carry a modest service fee. Always check the fee shown on the official portal before paying, as fees are revised from time to time. Online updates are usually processed within one working day; in-person updates are often completed the same visit. A replacement physical card, if you order one, follows the standard delivery or collection process.
Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
Update rejected: documents do not match
The most common rejection reason is a mismatch between the supporting document and the Emirates ID record. Make sure your Emirates ID already shows the new detail before applying for the licence update — the licence follows the Emirates ID, not the other way round.
Old details still showing after approval
Digital records usually refresh within hours, but cached app data can show stale information. Log out and back in, or reinstall the app. If the old detail persists beyond a couple of days, contact the issuing authority with your application reference number.
Cannot update because of unpaid fines
Outstanding traffic fines can block licence services including updates. Settle them first through the usual fine-payment channels, then resubmit your update. Our UAE traffic fines guide explains how to check and clear fines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I update my phone number on my UAE driving licence?
Log in to the RTA app, TAMM or MOI UAE app with UAE Pass, open your driving licence profile, and edit the contact details. The change is usually verified with an OTP sent to the new number and takes effect immediately.
Can I change my name on my driving licence online?
Yes, provided you have official proof of the legal name change, such as a new passport or court order. Upload the document through the licence modification service on your emirate’s portal. The authority will verify it against your Emirates ID record, so update that first.
Do I need a new photo when updating licence details?
Only if you are specifically updating the photograph, or if the authority requests one as part of a reprint. Minor detail changes like an address or phone number do not require a new photo.
How long does a driving licence update take in the UAE?
Most online updates are processed within one working day, and simple contact-detail changes are often instant. In-person updates at a service centre are typically completed during the same visit.
Is there a fee for updating driving licence details?
It depends on the change. Simple contact updates are typically free or carry a small service fee; changes requiring a new printed card cost more. The exact fee is shown on the official portal before you confirm payment — check there rather than relying on older figures you find elsewhere.
Will updating my licence affect its expiry date?
No. Updating personal details does not change the licence’s validity period or expiry date. Renewal is a separate process — see our guide on how to check driving licence expiry so you never mix the two up.
The Bottom Line
Updating your driving licence details in the UAE is a short, mostly online task: log in with UAE Pass on your emirate’s portal, pick the modification service, upload proof of the change, and pay the fee shown. Do the Emirates ID update first, keep your phone number current so OTPs reach you, and clear any fines beforehand. Ten minutes of admin now saves you from verification failures at renewal time, at the rental counter, or during a traffic stop.
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.
Asan Tata is an independent information platform providing simple, practical guides on UAE visas, banking, insurance, driving licences, and government-related services. Our team researches information from reliable and official sources to make complex topics easier to understand.