Driving License formalities in Dubai, UAE
+ Driving License New/Renewal fee at RTA is Dh320. Can be paid through Credit/Debit Card or Cash.
Documents required for New Driving License Application:
+ Original passport with valid visa
+ photo copy
+ Filled application
+ No Objection Letter from sponsor with company seal and signature. For dependent sponsored visa holders, NOC from husband/father/mother is enough.
+ 4 photographs
+ Applicant’s age should not be less than 18 years
+ Normal applicants should appear for 40 practical classes and 4 theoretical classes.
+ GCC valid driving license holders can appear for road test directly along with the above mentioned documents.
+ If the applicant holds valid driving license from his home country, he needs to appear for 20 classes only, if the license is attested from the concerned Consulate.
The process of acquiring a driving licence:
+ Open an E-Traffic File and get a copy of the Light Motor Vehicle Handbook through one of the driving schools
+ Apply and get a learning permit
+ Begin theory classes
+ Book for theory test
+ Pass the theory test
+ Attend the required number of practical classes
+ Go through internal Smart Yard Assessment
+ Attempt RTA Smart Yard Test
+ Internal On-road Assessment
+ Book for practical test
+ Attend freeway/highway driving
+ Pass the practical driving test
+ Keep learning to drive and driving to learn
——————————————————————————
+ Average time taken – 3 months
+ Average test attempts – 3 trials
+ Average age group – 27 to 31 years
+ Minimum learning hours – 20
Steps for learners:
1. Register for a driving licence course in one of the authorised driving schools by opening your RTA file. Students can opt to register for either automatic or manual gear transmission for their car driving licence. However, automatic licence holders are not allowed to drive a manual gear vehicle.
Documents required: Passport (original and copy) with residence stamp, No-Objection Certificate from employer and eight photos.
Eye test: You need to get an eye test done either with an optician or at your driving school. The receipt of the test must be submitted at your driving school.
2. Theory Test: The training course begins with theory lectures and it is mandatory to take all the lectures for 8 hours before starting practical training classes.
(i) The theory test is carried out at the five authorised driving schools.
(ii) Don’t forget to carry a relevant ID, driving file, two photos and theory test fee of Dh200.
(ii) 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.
(iii) 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.
(iv) The second segment has 18 questions related to the specific driving licence the candidate requires and a minimum of 12 correct answers are required to be eligible for the road test.
(v) 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.
3. There is a pre-evaluation test for students who have signed up for 30 and 20 classes to evaluate their driving experience.
4. After passing the theory test and pre-evaluation test (if required), students can begin their practical training.
(i) Students who do not possess any driving licence (from any country) have to register for 40 classes.
(ii) Students possessing their country’s licence which is 2-5 years old have to take 30 classes.
(iii) Students possessing their country’s licence which is more than 5 years old have to take 20 classes.
5. After your practical training classes, your course-in charge will advise you to book your RTA parking test and assessment test.
6. After clearing your assessment test, you will complete your highway training before going for the final road test.
7. Road Test: On the date assigned, go with your passport, driving file, two photos to the RTA Licence Section as advised by your driving school. Fill up an application form and submit fees (around Dh200 for the 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 skills.
If you fail, you will have to register with your driving school for at least seven 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 a suitable ID and Dh100. Collect your test file and submit to the Control Counter. After processing, pay the required fee. In a few minutes, you will receive your DL and be eligible to drive in Dubai and the UAE. Congratulations!
Other caveats
1. Refresher Course: If you already have a valid UAE driving licence and only need practice, you can apply for this course. It includes 8 practical training classes. You can take 4 minimum classes also.
2. Simulator Training: All students registered for 40 classes will have to attend 1 session of Simulator prior to starting their training classes.
3. Solo Training: This is mandatory for 40 classes’ course and is optional for 30 and 20 classes’ course.
4. People who have a valid UAE driving licence from any emirate other than Dubai need to get their driving file transferred from that emirate to Dubai RTA before opening a file for any other vehicle category.
6. People who possess a valid GCC (Bahrain, Kuwait Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia) licence have to take two theory lectures at the beginning of the course. Then they have to take the RTA Knowledge test, parking test and the road test.
7. People who have any traffic fine in their name will not be able to open a file until the fine is cleared.
8. People who have opened any driving file before with other institute should transfer their file.
Book driving tests, give feedback on Dubai Drive App
Driving learners in Dubai can now give feedback about their learning experience, and schedule their tests through the Dubai Drive App.
With the latest upgrade of the Dubai Drive app, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has added a host of services for the driving learners on the flagship app and gateway for RTA’s frequently used services by road users.
Users can now schedule the theory and driving tests through the Dubai Drive app in four simple steps.
Learners can view their permit details, test scheduling details and status of their journey through the app, the What’s New section of the app states.
Online booking of appointments for driving tests in Dubai has been available through the RTA’s website since 2012. The service is available on RTA’s main app also.
The Ministry of Interior’s app (MOI-UAE) also offers the service to schedule driving test appointments in the UAE.
Tips for theory test
1. You should read the RTA handbook thoroughly
2. Take mock theory tests.
3. Practice on the RTA mobile app
Resources:
Traffic Sign Test: Try to memorise the common road signs and take a traffic sign test online here.