UAE licence Maldives

Driving in Maldives with a UAE license

Short answer: you can drive in Maldives with a UAE license; an International Driving Permit is recommended and is carried alongside your UAE license.

IDP recommended

An International Driving Permit is recommended (not strictly required) for UAE licence holders driving in Maldives. Your UAE licence is in the Roman alphabet, but an IDP removes any doubt at rental desks and roadside checks. Carry both.

Convention basisMaldives uses the format of the 1949 Geneva Convention. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

At the rental deskCar rental is minimal; transport is mostly by boat and seaplane.

CarryCarry BOTH your UAE national licence and the IDP at all times. The IDP is a translation of your licence and never replaces it.

Minimum age18+ to drive; rental typically 21+ with a young-driver surcharge under 25

Validity1–3 years (you choose at checkout)

FormatDigital PDF you print yourself, plus a QR-verifiable ID card — accepted alongside printed permits

Last verified June 2026Convention: 1949 Geneva

Get my IDP for Maldives Full Maldives guide

UAE drivers should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their licence when driving abroad. Your International Driving Permit is a certified multilingual translation of your existing licence, prepared in the 1949 Geneva format and carried alongside your national licence.

Driving rules in Maldives

Drive on the left in Malé.
Motorbikes dominate the capital.
0.0% alcohol tolerance.
Most islands have no roads to drive.

Common questions

Can I drive in Maldives with a UAE license?

you can drive in Maldives with a UAE license; an International Driving Permit is recommended and is carried alongside your UAE license. Maldives uses the format of the 1949 Geneva Convention. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

Is my UAE driver's license valid in Maldives?

Do I need an International Driving Permit for Maldives?

Can I rent a car in Maldives with a UAE license?

Car rental is minimal; transport is mostly by boat and seaplane.

What IDP format does Maldives accept?

Maldives uses the format of the 1949 Geneva Convention. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

How do I get an International Driving Permit for Maldives?

An International Driving Permit is a certified multilingual translation of your existing UAE license. You apply online, and it is issued as a printable PDF booklet with a QR-verifiable ID card in the 1949 Geneva format Maldives uses — carried alongside your UAE license.

Do I still carry my UAE license?

Carry BOTH your UAE national licence and the IDP at all times. The IDP is a translation of your licence and never replaces it.