How to Get UAE Driving License? | Step by Step Guide

Driving a UEA car is like a privilege though you can find Metro and easily available other sources to travel easily. But if you like to join the freedom from waiting at the station or for any taxi guy, you must jump into and get a driving license. The license fee may vary from AED 360 to 700 AED or even more.

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The ultimate conditions to apply for a UAE Driving License are;

Minimum Age 18 Years
Medically Fit
NOC from the employer if you are an expatriate

If all these are ‘Yes,’ then you are good to go.

I know many people who hate to drive, but it is still one of the UAE’s basic needs. Remember, for 18 to 21 years of age are only applicable for a probationary license.

Who is Qualified to Apply

If you are lucky and have a driving license from these 36 countries & also a citizen there, you can get your license transferred to UAE by just visiting the RTA. No need to join a training school or even the test. Cool 🙂

Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.

If you need more updates on this list, simply call the RTA representative at 8009090. Source Dubai.ae

Documents Required for Transfer

It would help if you had a

Translated letter (English if not already) from Embassy or consulate
Valid Emirates ID
Original driving license & a copy
No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the sponsor
Eye test from a certified by the Dubai Health Department
Complete Medical for age 65 or above – by the DHA Authority Certified.

Also, you need to know about Best Car Insurance Companies in UAE.

Step to Transfer License

Once you are done with the above documentation now, you have to do some easy steps, and you are good to drive legally.

Take two passport-size photographs and get your eye test done by any approved optician, hospital, or clinic.
They may charge you a nominal fee or do it for free if you tell them it is just for a driving license.
Visit the Dubai Traffic Department Driving License section. check the timing before go like normally it is from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Fill up the form and submit the file.
Pay AED 360 & take the signed file.
Submit the file at the Data Entry section/counter
Your fresh photo will be taken here – Previous 2 will be used for application & medical form.
Now, they will hand over the license – on the spot 🙂

Easy Steps for Learner

By the way, your first step is to arrange money and time. Let say you are good a driving and complete all in a go without any fail; then, your cost will be 4,500 AED to 7,000 AED.

If you get failed, then each class will cost you 60 AED, and it will depend on how many classes you need to appear in the road test again. That will also cost you 1,500 AED for the second attempt.

Make sure to have a budget in your head. By the way, you can see a currency conversion here, AED Value.

Ok, if you are not lucky enough (not in those 36), then you have to to go through a complete process that includes;

Register for a Training School
Documents Submission
Medical Test/ Eye Test
Theory Test
Road Test

Register for a Training School

The first step is to find an authorized driving training school. Register, thereby opening your RTA file. You can choose here the transmission type like Automatic or manual. Remember, if you choose automatic, then you cannot drive a manual car legally. But if you choose Manual transmission, then you can drive both in this case.

They will give you a complete package containing the RTA book, CDs for practice. Even pick and drop with a nominal fee.

Now here is a criterion to appear before the road test;

Theory Classes

8 Hours Theory (9 hours if you want to drive heavy motors vehicles) is a must for everyone regardless of how long you have been driving.

Although training hours fall under three categories depending upon Driving License of your native country – Translation if required;

If you have 2 years of experience – 20 hours
If you have 2-5 years of experience – 15 hours
If you have more than 5 years of experience – 10 hours

Theory classes you can take online, or you can to any preferred institute, but you can only attend the driving institute if you are a heavy motorist.

If your schedule is no matching with your timing, then you can ask for special classes – an extra fee may require. After you pass the theory classes, you will get a learning permit to drive the school car on roads legally.

Language for Theory Classes

The major languages used are;

Urdu
Arabi
English

A few more languages are used, but online-only English and Arabic are available.

Documents Submission

The following documents are required to get register at an institute of choice:

Passport-sized photos – 8 number
Original Emirates ID card
Valid Passport copies
NOC – No Objection Certificate from sponsor (if expatriate). Mostly executive type professions are exempted from NOC.
Medical Test – just an eye test and can be done at your school.

Theory Test

Now it’s time to evaluate your theory whatever you have learned from theory classes. First of all, there are below authorized school in that conduct a theory test;

Al Ahli Driving School
Dubai Driving Centre
Belhasa Driving Institute
Galadari Motor Driving Ce
Emirates Driving Institute

Make sure to take your Emirates ID, driving file, 200 AED fee, and two passport-sized photographs.

There are 35 questions for road driving evaluation like signal, hazards, guidelines for safety. Languages used are Urdu, English & Arabic, with a few more added. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to read or cannot operate a computer, even touch; then, they can take your test orally.
The first set is of 17 questions, and you have to make 11 correct to pass.
The second set has the remaining 18 questions, and you need to answer 12 to qualify for a road test.
Risk recognization Test – You will be shown a few videos, and they will ask you if you are in this situation then what you will do.

Road Test

This is the area where most of the people stuck. The procedure is simple if you are good at driving, or else try again and again.

Let’s see the steps here;

Step – 1: Go to the RTA License Section

Step – 2: Fill the application form and pay the fee (around 200 AED)

Step – 3: Wait for your turn – patiently

Step – 4: Show your skills here to the inspector confidently

Step – 5: If you fail to impress the inspector, you need to take a minimum of 7 more classes (each class will cost you 60 AED) to appear in the road test again.

Step – 6: If you pass, then collect the paper from the inspector

Step – 7: Go to the Pass counter.

Step – 8: Submit your ID and fee of 100 AED.

Step – 9: Collect your test file and submit it to the Control counter.

Step – 10: After processing the fee, they will handover you the license.

Congratulations!!

Tips & Tricks to Pass

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Theory Test | Tips & Tricks

If you have taken theory classes carefully, then you not worry about this. It is just a walk in the park. Still, I would recommend you to make sure to;

Read the RTA handbook thoroughly and practice at RTA mobile app.
Try to memorize common signs

Road Test | Tips & Tricks

Now, behave as a driver, not as a student!
First Impression is the Last Impression: Make sure to dress like an executive. It will boost your confidence automatically. Don’t wear sunglasses. Some people say to dress like a CEO – come on, don’t fake yourself!
A nice perfume is always recommended as mostly test is under a hot sun though cars have AC.
Once Enter the Car: Adjust your seat, side mirrors, rear mirror, wear a seat belt and check hand brake and also if the car is on the ignition or not. Check others, even the inspector, if they have already fastened the belt or advise them to do so.
Learn basic Arabic words: If you know common words left/right, so can better obey the inspector although they are good at English but in case.
On a normal day, an instructor is taking the test for around 30 people & they are definitely not meant to trick you but to evaluate your skills.
Never trust old failed students (or who made many attempts to clear) that a particular inspector is very hard or tricky like that. Instead, they are core professionals.
Once instructed, drive confidently with optimum speed, not too slow or too fast. See the signs on the roads and don’t blindly follow the other vehicles.
When you see a car a bit slower than by analyzing the road condition, cross it without waiting for any inspector’s instructions.
When you are about to hit the main road, always stop and observe that road’s speed. Now make sure that once you are there, maintain that speed as soon as possible so that other vehicles are not disturbed.
If you asked to change lane and see you cannot as vehicles are on that way and fast, you can ignore him as you can see the mirrors well and don’t panic and try forcefully. They know all this.
When you are about to turn to the main road, then stop for ‘3 seconds’ even if the road is clear.
While in traffic, keep the safe distance of ‘2 seconds’
Use indicators while changing the lane. And make sure before turning on the indicator, see your black point through mirrors. Don’t just put on the indicators. Inspector will see your eye movement, and that’s why sunglasses are not recommended.
Same as always, stop and wait for ‘3 seconds’ while on T junction, roundabouts, U-turns, etc.
Never apply hard brakes and avoid any hiccups. Always try to apply ‘Progressive brakes’; also, look out of the box. Don’t just see your next car’s movement, as that car may have a perfect updated braking system.
If you are asked to park the car, don’t rush but wait for a proper place.