Dubai driving license

How to Obtain a Dubai Driving License?

Can I use my home driving license in Dubai?

A Dubai driving license is not required the moment you immediately land. You will be able to use your home license. International licenses are accepted in the UAE during occasional visits together with international driving permits (ideally, often without international permit accepted but better to have it just in case).

Once you become a UAE resident you will need to convert your international license.

Who has to redo the tests? Who can convert their home driving license?

Holders of the below listed countries are authorized to replace their driving licenses on payment of a fee. Non-listed countries’ driving licenses will need to take fresh technical and practical exams.

First: Driving licenses issued from GCC countries (KSA, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait). License holders must be citizens of the same country.

Second: Driving licenses issued from Lithuania, Portugal, Hungary, Bulgaria, Latvia, Serbia, Luxembourg, Iceland, Slovakia, Cyprus, Hongkong, China, and Singapore. License holders must be citizens of the same country and holders of a valid UAE residence visa.

Third: Driving licenses issued from Romania, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Finland, Spain, The Netherlands, Greece, Sweden, Belgium, Ireland, Turkey, Denmark, Austria, France, Great Britain, Norway, USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa . License holders generally must be citizens of the same country and have a valid UAE residence visa.

The process needs to be followed by paying certain fees for such exchange which varies from Emirate to Emirate.

What if my home country is listed above?

If you’re from any of the above countries who live in Dubai and wish to transfer your home country´s driver’s license to a UAE licence, you will need the following documents to convert your driving licence in Dubai:

  • A valid driving licence
  • Valid residence visa issued by Dubai
  • A completed form of replacement of license
  • No objection letter from sponsor to replace license and optometry form accredited by the health authority in the emirate.

Step 1: First you need to have an eye test from an optician or clinic; for this, you’ll need two Passport photos and you’ll need to inform them that the eye test is for a driving license conversion. Most opticians do the test for a fee that ranges AED 150-200.

Many of RTA’s driving centres have opticians on site to help speed-up the conversion process for you.

Step 2:  You’ll need to take all of the above required documents with you, as well as a copy of your Passport, residency visa as well as your original Passport. Don’t forget your eye test certificate, as well as Passport photos.

The transfer fee and new driving file costs in Dubai AED 500 approx. Expect extra fees for knowledge fees and a handbook manual, too.

What’s the process if I need to retake the driving tests?

All other applicants of other nationalities need to apply for a fresh application and go through various tests for issuance of a UAE driving license.

Driving licences can be obtained by adult UAE citizens/residents after training from an authorized driving school in Dubai. If you are 18-21 year of age, you can apply for a probationary license.

If you have never driven before or have a driving license that is not on the approved list of countries then you must undergo training.

Documents:

  • Passport (original and copy) with residence stamp, No objection Certificate from employer and photos.

             Steps:

  • Get an eye test done either at an optician or at your driving school.
  • The school will handle all paper work with RTA who may even have a counter at the school.
  • Receive your temporary driving license, which you must carry in your training car.
  • Once you have passed all internal tests like garage and parking, your school will apply for your theory test followed by your road test.

What can I expect when taking the theory test?

The Theory test is carried out at the five authorized driving schools. Don’t forget to carry relevant ID, driving file + 2 photos and theory test RTA fee of AED 300 approx.

A total of 35 questions on road signals, hazards and guidelines on safe-driving will be asked in either English, Arabic or Urdu, with more languages to be added later. Candidates who cannot read the touch screen or are not computer literate can take the examination orally. The first segment with 17 questions focuses on general traffic situations, and the candidate will need to answer a minimum of 11 correct to pass. The second segment has 18 questions related to the specific driving license the candidate requires and a minimum of 12 correct answers are required to be eligible for the road test.

From july 2015, a new segment was added to the Theory test. Called Risks Recognition Test, the test contains a few videos that depicts specific environmental conditions and asks the driver how he/she can cope with them.

What can I expect when taking the theory test?

On the date assigned, go with your Passport, driving file + photos to the RTA License Section as advised by your driving school. Fill up application form and submit fees (around AED 300 for road test). When your name is called out, go along with the other three candidates and the RTA inspector to the designated car. You will be given just a few minutes to demonstrate your driving and anticipatory skills.

If you fail, you will have to register with your driving school for at least 7 more classes and get a new road – test date.

If you pass, collect the approval paper from your inspector and go to the Pass Counter, Submit along with suitable ID and AED 150 approx. Collect your test file and submit to Control Counter. After processing, pay required fee and proceed to photo area. When your name is called out, have your photo taken. In a few minutes, you will receive your DL and be eligible to drive in Dubai and the UAE.

What are the fees involved in taking the tests?

Fees involved getting a new driving license are the following:

  • AED200 – opening file
  • AED100 – learning fee
  • AED50 – handbook fee
  • AED200 – RTA Fee
  • AED 100/300 – Driving License Fee *AED100 if under 21 and AED 300 if above 21 years old.
  • AED500 – potential maximum fine for late renewal
  • AED300 – renewal license
  • AED20 – knowledge and innovation fee

How can I track reliable driving institutes?

Some driving institutes can be found in this link.

 

We trust that this publication will help you to understand the basics about obtaining a Dubai driving license and we remain at your complete disposal for any questions regarding this publication of general application.

For more information about UAE law  you can visit all our publications in this link as well as the videos of our director Maria Rubert, particularly a video about this very same topic here.