UAE public transport is most developed in Dubai; Abu Dhabi leans on buses and taxis. Distances and summer heat push high private-car usage, making driver's license conversion a near-essential step.
Nol card
The unified payment card for Dubai public transit (metro, tram, bus, water bus), plus some taxis. Issued by RTA.
- Silver (common), Gold (premium cabin), Red (short-term), Blue (personalised)
- Top up at station kiosks, the RTA app, or select Carrefour branches
Dubai Metro
Red Line and Green Line. All stations air-conditioned. RTA app for live arrivals.
Abu Dhabi transit
No metro. Core is the Darb toll system, bus network, and ride-hailing: Abu Dhabi Taxi / Careem / Uber.
Taxis · ride-hailing
- Dubai Taxi (RTA) — official taxis, app dispatch available
- Careem — regional ride-hailing giant
- Uber — same infrastructure
Driver's license conversion
After residency is established, Korean licenses are on UAE's reciprocal list — eligible for direct conversion (no road test). Done at RTA service centres or licensed typing centres.
- Bring: passport, Emirates ID, Korean license (translated + notarised), eye test, fees
- Time: hours to a day if paperwork is complete
Things to watch
- Black Points: accumulate too many → license suspension
- Summer heat (Jun–Sep): walking / cycling impractical most of the day
This is an overview. Detail guides for Nol flows and license conversion are being added.