Whether you are an expat or an Emirati by birth, you will require a UAE driving license to drive around legally. It will take you places in every sense of the word, and you can use it to pursue a driving career in the UAE and other countries. Let us drive you through the entire process, pun intended, so you know how to go about it if you want to get one.
Documents required to get a UAE driving license:
The UAE has strict driving rules, ensuring that driving licenses are issued only to the ablest drivers. To apply for a driving license, you need to fulfil the following conditions:
- Be of legal age (17 for bikes, 18 for cars, 20 for trucks/tractors and 21 for buses)
- Have a valid Emirates ID
- If you are an immigrant, you need to provide some additional documents, which are:
- Original and copy of passport with valid residence visa page
- Passport-size photographs (4 at least)
- Result of your eye test from an RTA-approved optician
- NOC from your sponsor or employer (in some specific cases)
- The person applying for a driving license should be medically and physically fit. The process is slightly different for disabled people.
- People with mental or physical disabilities must prepare a training file that includes doctor recommendations about their specific driving training requirements.
- The driving school, in consultation with the Drivers Affairs Department, will decide how many training sessions an individual with mental and physical disorders may require
The process of getting a UAE driving license:
You can apply for a driving license now that you have the required documents. We will break it down into the following simple steps.
- First, you must open a traffic file requiring registering with an RTA-approved driving institute.
- Click here to see the updated list of RTA-approved driving institutes in your area.
- The next step is to start preparing for your driving test
- The test comprises theory and practical. So, start preparing by taking classes from a driving school
- The duration of classes will depend on your past driving expertise, experience, and the driving license you want to obtain (commercial, forklift, truck) and other factors
- Once you have the necessary knowledge, you can appear in the theory test and clear it
- To appear in the practical exam, you must first get a learner’s driving license
- Once you have cleared both theory and practical tests, you will get the license delivered to your home
- If you have arrived in the UAE under the Golden Visa Privilege program, you may be exempted from theory tests. However, this facility is available to immigrants from some specific countries only
- The UAE also offers a license swap program where immigrants from certain countries can get their valid driving licenses from their countries of origin swapped in favour of an Emirati driving license Â
The countries include GCC countries and the UK, USA, Canada, China, Lithuania, Portugal, Hungary, Latvia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Estonia, Cyprus, Slovenia, Albania, Slovakia, Romania, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, Spain, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, Greece, Ireland, Denmark, Austria, France, Turkey, Norway, Montenegro, Japan, South Korea, Ukraine, Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, South Africa, and Singapore.
Testing requirements for UAE driving license:
The UAE has a stringent driving test, which is a hard nut to crack for many. Immigrants especially get nervous taking practical tests. But there is no need to panic. The test comprises basic driving knowledge and skills, and it is not hard to pass.
Discuss it in detail because it is the most crucial aspect of the license-getting exercise. The test comprises the following stages.
- Theory
- Parking test
- RTA road test
Theory: Before appearing in the parking and RTA road tests, you must clear the theory test. You must register with an RTA-approved driving school and take classes to clear the theoretical part of your driving license. The classes are available in Arabic, English, and other languages spoken by the majority of immigrants, such as Urdu, Telegu, and Hindi.
The theory consists of knowledge about traffic signs, safe driving practices, road signs, speed limits, and traffic laws and regulations that govern the UAE’s roads. An RTA Handbook is available for this purpose, which you must go through minutely to clear this test.
You should also download the RTA driving test app for guidance and assistance. Checking other online resources will also be helpful.
Parking test: It is also known as the Yard Test, and your driving school will ensure that you get ample practice before appearing in the exam. It will test your skills in reverse and parallel parking, slope/hill parking, garage parking (90 degrees), and angle parking (60 degrees). It will also test your skills for applying emergency brakes.
You will have to negotiate these types of car parking in Dubai, so it is practical to learn and master their techniques. Five consecutive failures in the parking test means you must reappear for the internal assessment.
RTA road test: This is the final test before you are handed the UAE driving license. Here, you will drive on roads with an instructor who will judge your driving skills. The instructor can monitor various factors, including your driving style, observance of traffic rules, how you manoeuvre U-turns and turns, speed limit observance, and more.
You will be notified of your results immediately once the test is over. If you fail, you must take seven additional driving lessons before you retake the road test.
Tips for clearing the driving test:
We will now share some tips to help you pass your driving test in the UAE.
- Don’t underestimate the theoretical part; the RTA Handbook is your bible; go through it comprehensively.
- Learn all road and traffic signs by heart.
- Choose your attire wisely for the RTA road test. Avoid an overly casual look.
- Leave the sunglasses at home. The instructor will notice your eye movement while you drive.
- Don’t forget to fasten your seatbelt and adjust the backview mirror at your convenience.
- Observe speed limits while you drive
- Always factor in road signs while you drive
- At a T-junction, halt for at least 3 seconds before entering
- Enter a roundabout from the left side when it is clear and exit from the right side with the indicator on
- Avoid frequent lane changes and use the side and rearview mirrors when you do
- Arguing with your instructor won’t take you anywhere
UAE driving license: Your passport to new avenues
Getting a UAE license might seem daunting at first, but once you are in the process, you will realize the hardship is worth it. These rules are enforced for your safety and the safety of others. We are sure this has enlightened you on the subject, and now you know what it takes to get a UAE driving license. We wish you all the best in getting your driving license.
FAQs:
Q: How much does getting a UAE driver’s license cost?
A: The cost depends on the type of driving license you applied for, the driving school you joined, any extra classes you might take, RTA fees, and other charges. It can range between AED 4000 and AED 7500.
Q: What are the driving license renewal charges?
A: Again, it depends on your renewal period. The longer it is, the higher the charges. A ten-year renewal can cost you AED 500, and a three-year renewal, AED 150.
Q: Can I get a driver’s license as a tourist in the UAE?
A: If you are a tourist and want to drive in the UAE, you must have an international driver’s license. However, if you are from a country where the RTA approves a temporary permit, you can get a temporary driving license.
Q: Is the UAE’s driving license accepted in other countries, too?
A: The UAE driving license is valid in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Algeria, Oman, Morocco, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Mauritania, Djibouti, Norway, Latvia, New Zealand, Serbia, South Africa, Finland, Hungary, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Romania, Comoros, Tunisia, Iraq, Palestine, Spain, France, America, UK, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Netherlands, Slovakia, Ireland, Austria, Greece, Sweden, China, Poland, Canada, Turkey and Singapore.
