RTA signs agreement with Emirates Automobile and Touring Club to issue international driving licenses and customs documents

The agreement was signed on behalf of the RTA by H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board, Executive Director, and on behalf of EATC by H.E. Mohammed Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of the Club in the presence of Engineer Maitha Mohammed bin Adai, CEO of Traffic & Roads Agency; Abdul Mohsin Ibrahim, CEO of Strategy & Corporate Governance; Ali Mohammed Al Jasim, Director of Licensing Department; Dr. Aysha Al Busmait, Director of Marketing & Corporate Communications Department; Ahmed Bahrozyan, Director of Strategy & Governance Department, and Khalid Al Ramsi, Stakeholder Relations Manager.

According to the agreement RTA will issue International Driving Licenses & handle custom documents according to the system applicable at Emirates Automobile and Touring Club; which is an affiliated member of International Automobile Federation (FIA), and International Association of Tour (AIT). Following this agreement, travelers holding official travelling tickets issued from UAE Automobile and Touring Club will find it easier to cross borders to countries neighbouring the GCC.

UAE Automobile and Touring Club will train RTA employees on issuing international driving licenses on behalf of the Club. It will also provide RTA with international driving licenses cards for issuing them through RTA Licensing Offices. The Club will also provide RTA with Customs Transit Forms for providing them to travelers by road.

The Agreement aims at averting difficulties that road travelers might face at border crossing points. It will also strengthen travelling & tourist links between the UAE & countries neighbouring the GCC, such as Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, & Egypt.

H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board Executive Director of the RTA, expressed his delight with the signing of this and stated that the RTA is keen to provide safe & smooth transport for all road users. "RTA is also keen to simplify procedures and provide the best of services to travelers intending to use their vehicles in travelling abroad, so as to ensure that they will reach their destinations without any difficulties or frustration" said Al Tayer.

Mohammed bin Sulayem, Chairman of Emirates Automobile and Touring Club, expressed his pleasure with this initiative by saying: "We are thrilled with the support of the RTA to this new initiative. It is another important step forward consolidating the two United Nations Customs Agreements signed by the UAE early this year, which address transit entry of private & commercial vehicles. "Such Agreements cover 120 countries across the globe and ensure smooth traffic flow of tourists & travelers based on Customs Transit Documents system (Carnet). We will continue facilitating and enhancing tourism & travel movement between the UAE & neighbouring countries," he said.

Bin Sulayem added that Customs Transit Documents (Carnet) have been designed to facilitate customs transactions of tourists, travelers & motorists. This document stipulates that no custom duties to be paid or additional import duties to be levied in the event of failure of returning exported vehicles.