Travellers leaving Dubai who need an International Driving Permit no longer have to arrange the document well in advance. A new service at Dubai International Airport allows eligible applicants to obtain one in as little as five minutes.

The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at the Customer Happiness Centre in the Terminal 3 arrivals building.

It is open to UAE citizens and residents and has been introduced through a collaboration between the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai), the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the Emirates Automobile and Touring Club and the Emirates Businessmen Services Center “Amer”.

To apply, travellers need to present:

-An Emirates ID

-A valid UAE driving licence

-A copy of their passport

-A personal photograph

The application is processed through digital systems linking the participating organisations. Once the details are verified and approved, the permit can be issued in no more than five minutes.

The service could be particularly useful for travellers making last-minute preparations for an overseas trip, especially those planning to drive after arriving at their destination.

Major General Khalaf Ahmed Al Ghaith, Assistant Director-General for Entry Permits and Residency at GDRFA Dubai, said the initiative was intended to make travel procedures more convenient and responsive to customer needs.

Ahmed Mahboob, CEO of the Licensing Agency at RTA, said the round-the-clock service would enhance the customer experience by making an important travel document available at a major transport hub.

For UAE residents planning to rent a car abroad, the new airport facility offers another option for completing their travel paperwork before departure.