My Amman Life

“Can I change my driving license to a Jordanian one without a driving test?” I’ve heard this question many times in various expat groups and because I personally went through the process, I thought it would be helpful to make a quick guide on how to do it. One of the benefits of having a Jordanian driving license is that you can drive Jordan plate cars. If you do not have a Jordanian license you can only drive green plate rental cars. There is a 250 JD fine for anyone driving a Jordanian plate car without a Jordanian driving license, but the bigger issue is the fact that if you are in an accident, no insurance company will cover you.

Important note 1: You must have a valid Jordanian residency card to be able to translate your non-Jordanian license to a Jordanian license. Here’s a post on how to get your residency.

Important note 2: Not all foreign driving licenses are accepted to change to a Jordanian one without a test. American and European driving licenses are allowed. I can’t find an official list anywhere of what are nationalities can do it. Americans and Europeans can get a 10-year Jordanian license without taking a driving test and this costs about 250 JD.

DMV near Amman & Required Documents

To get the Jordanian license proceed to the Marka, Department of Motor Vehicles Licensing Department (map) with the following documents:

1. original & copy of non-Jordanian license (must be valid in your home country)
2. original passport & copy (must be valid)
3. original Jordanian residency card & copy (must be valid)
4. 2 recent passport-size photos
5. eyeglasses, if you need them (there is an eye exam done on-site)
6. cash (always bring cash just in case. I recommend bringing 300 JD with you.)

Important note 3: Many people have the question “do I need to translate my license to Arabic before I go?”. My license is in English and at no point did they request a translated document. If your license is not in English, I would say it’s safer to get it translated before you go.

How long does it take?

Be prepared to spend about 2-3 hours going from department to department. The good news is it can all be done in one place as long as you bring the right documents. You will receive the driving license the same day and for Americans and Europeans it will be valid for 10 years.

How much does it cost?

It depends on your nationality, but for Americans and Europeans the 10-year Jordanian license costs about 250 JD.