Driving License
In spite of U.A.E’s well-functioning public transportation system, a sizable portion of the populace relies on personal transportation. Owning a car has advantages of its own. In the UAE, it is advisable to have a valid driving license even if one does not own a car, as it is necessary to rent a vehicle.
A citizen or resident of the relevant emirate must apply to a registered driving institute, complete driving instructions, and pass necessary tests for obtaining a new driver’s license. For citizens, nationals of the GCC, and people of other nationalities, a new driver’s license valid for two years can be obtained upon completion of all coursework and test results.
Eligibility to drive
Customers, citizens, and residents who meet the eligibility requirements and are of legal age can apply for a new driver’s license and obtain a driving learning permit. Depending on the kind of vehicle you’re getting a license for, there may be a minimum age requirement. The following is the minimum age requirement:
- 17 years for motorcycles and vehicles for people with special needs.
- 18 years for cars and light vehicles
- 20 years for heavy vehicles and tractors
- 21 years for buses.
Required documents
- Copy of passport and residence visa page
- Copy and original Emirates ID card
- 2 photographs
- Eye test report
- No objection letter from the sponsor (if required by the related traffic department).
Procedures
- Conducting an eye test at any center approved by the traffic department
- Opening a traffic file in one of the registered driving centers in the related emirate
- Completing all required driving classes
- Passing all tests set by the related traffic department
- Obtaining the driving license from the traffic authority.
Mandatory Theory Classes & On Road sessions
- Before choosing to enroll in the practical driving classes, each person must complete the required training courses and attend all required lectures for a total of eight hours.
- Whichever Emirate's driving license you want to get, the theory courses and exams are taken at the approved driving schools.
- You will need a traffic file to register with any driving school in the United Arab Emirates.
- Upon completion of the mandatory theory courses, candidates must pass a theory exam. They have to respond to 35 questions about traffic signs, safe driving practices, and potential hazards on the road. The questions are posed in Urdu, Arabic, or English.
- A touch-screen gadget is used to administer the test.
- Answers may be provided orally by those who are not computer literate and/or are unable to read from a touch screen.
- To pass the first section of the test, which consists of 17 questions about typical traffic situations, a candidate must provide at least 11 accurate answers. For passing the second section of the test, a candidate must correctly answer at least 12 out of the 18 questions concerning the particular driving license they need. You won't be allowed to take the practical road test if you don't pass the theory exams.
- The Risks Recognition Test is the third section of the exam. In this section, candidates watch multiple videos that illustrate various environmental conditions. After calculating the associated risks, the candidates are put to the test and evaluated based on how they intend to handle such situations.
- A candidate can proceed with their practical training once they pass the theory exam.
- In terms of hands-on training, students who do not have a driver's license from one of the nations on the UAE-approved list must sign up for 40 classes.
- The driving rink serves as the location for all of the internal practical assessments.
- Your course coordinator suggests that you make reservations for the assessment and parking tests after you have completed the practical training sessions.
- The parking test consists of five steps that you must complete: parallel parking, emergency brakes, slope or hill parking, angle parking, and garage parking. You must retake the practical internal assessments if you fail the parking tests five times in a row.
- You are allowed to take your final assessment test, the road test; if you pass the parking test.
Practical Test
Bring your passport, driving file, and photos to the license head office that your driving school has recommended for taking the practical road test. Fill out the application and send in the payment when your name is called. When you’re finished, accompany the instructor to the car that has been assigned to you and use that opportunity to confidently and fully demonstrate your driving abilities.
You will be required to take a minimum of seven additional refresher classes with your driving schools and will be given a new date for the road test if you fail it.
Your inspector will give you an approval paper after you pass the road test. Present that at the counter with your ID paperwork and the necessary payment. After that, get your driving file and turn it in at the control desk. After that, you will need to wait for your picture to be taken and pay the license fee. It will take a few minutes after this step for you to receive your driver’s license.