How to get Driving License in Dubai?

This guide covers everything about getting driving license in Dubai.

Eligibility Criteria to get Driving License in Dubai

As a resident in Dubai an applicant can apply for a driving license, provided he/she meets the following requirements: 

• Should be Seventeen years and six months age or above.

• Should be medically fit and should join the training & qualification program offered by one of the driving institutes that are approved by the Roads and Transport Authority.

• Pass both required tests (the theoretical and practical test).

• Those who are interested in obtaining a commercial driving Permit, should be subject to Driver's Medical Test.

Note: Only applicants who are completely 18 years old or above, shall be issued driving license.

Documents Required to get Driving License in Dubai

1. Original Emirates ID

For residents with visas issued in the other emirates

1. Copy of the tenancy agreement approved by ejari as a proof of residence

2. Copy of the company's trade licence (Dubai branch and the branch that issued the residency)

3. Letter from the company certifying that the customer works in Dubai.

For diplomats

1. Copy of the diplomatic passport

2. Original Emirates ID, if any

3. A copy of the valid diplomatic card for embassies, consulates and international organisations instead of the Emirates ID

4. A copy of a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs valid for at least 6 months from the date of submission.

For People of Determination

1. Copy of the certificate of transfer to the doctor issued by the Licensing Agency .

Note: The customer should refer to Rashid Hospital for the medical test.

For the Emirati passport holder who is without a family book (Marsoom holders)

1. Copy of the valid passport

2. Copy of the valid Marsoom

For the Emirati passport holder who is the son of an Emirati woman

1. Copy of the valid passport

2. Valid letter from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs stating that the customer's mother is Emirati

From golden residency holders who have a driver licence from their countries

1. A copy of the customer previous valid driving licence
2. Knowledge test and Road test results.

How to get Driving License in Dubai?

Getting a Driving License in Dubai includes the following steps.

• The customer applies for the service through RTA Website using the valid Emirates ID.

• The customer identity is verified by sending an OTP to the phone number registered in the system.

• If the customer is a previous licence holder, he must submit a front and back copy of the licence.

• The Driving Institute contacts the customer to agree on the required training package.

• The customer settles the required fees at the Institute to complete the process for obtaining the service and start the training.

• The electronic contract is signed through RTA Website.

• The customer takes an eye test at an Eye Test Centre accredited by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and authorised by RTA.

• The customer receives the digital learning permit via SMS and e-mail to start the training.

• After the completion of the training requirements for each stage, the customer books the required test date (Knowledge, Yard or Road).

• The customer settles all the required fees after passing the all tests.

• The new digital driving licence is issued after paying all the required fees.

Which are the RTA approved training institutes?

 These are the RTA approved training institutes

Which tests should I complete to get Driving License in Dubai?

Fitness and Optical test 

You should successfully pass both tests (fitness and optical) from the approved concerned bodies. Hence, a medical report, to be rendered by a concerned doctor, is a prerequisite; be it by an approved doctor or a medical body authorized by RTA. The report should state your physical, optical and mental health, to insure your ability to drive safely on public roads. Vision enhancement devices such as contact lenses and glasses or any other related approved devices are permissible "if applicable".
Optical test should be conducted by one of the authorized optical centers, who shall send the test results electronically to the concerned bodies and institutes.
If you seek to obtain a commercial driving permit, you must clear a specialized medical test as per Federal Law.

Theoretical Test / Knowledge Test

You must pass the theoretical test, which is required to examine your knowledge and understanding about traffic laws and driving risk perception as well as awareness of safety procedures. 

• An electronic system linking all driving institutes is provided by RTA to standardize the theoretical test.
• For your convenience, the theoretical test is available in many language.
• In case of non-common languages, RTA will provide the prescribed solution after assessing the case.
• Passing the theory test is a mandatory step before the final On-Road test.

Yard Test

You must pass the yard test in order to obtain a driving license. This test should be cleared prior to the practical test on the road which is supervised by the RTA.

Assessment test

This test is designed to assess your competency and readiness, for the final On-Road test. The assessment test is a replica of the final test and is conducted after you pass stage 4 of the practical training.

On Road Driving test

After passing the theoretical test, you will be assessed practically in accordance with the testing plan set and approved by the Licensing Agency.

Note: In case you fail the practical test, you will have to undergo additional training sessions, according to the approved policy of the Licensing agency.

Fees Required to get Driving License in Dubai

• 100 AED learning permit fees for motorcycles, light vehicles, light automatic vehicle

• 200 AED learning permit fees for light buses, heavy buses, light equipment, heavy equipment, and heavy vehicles

• 200 AED to open a traffic file

• 50 AED for the handbook manual

• The electronic eye test at the Eye Test Centres: 140 AED minimum and 180 AED maximum

Changing the driving learning permit from manual to automatic or the opposite

• 200 AED

• + 20 AED Knowledge and Innovations fees.

Transferring the permit to a branch of the same institute

• This service is free.

Transferring the permit to a different driving institute

• Fees vary according to the institute.

Changing the driving learning permit from regular to special

• This service is free.

New driving licence

• 100 AED new licence fees for customers younger than 21 years old

• 300 AED new licence fees for customers 21 years old and above

• +20 AED Knowledge and Innovation fees

Adding a new category to the driving licence

• 200 AED new licence fees

• +20 AED Knowledge and Innovation fees.

If the driving licence is not issued after passing the road test for more than one year

• 200 AED for opening a training file

• 100 AED for issuing a learning application

• 50 AED for the handbook manual

• 300 AED for issuing the driving licence

• 200 AED RTA test fees

• +20 AED Knowledge and Innovation Fees.

Driving test after withdrawing or cancelling the driving licence

• 200 AED RTA test fees

• 200 AED for opening a training file

• 100 AED for issuing a learning application

• 3,000 AED rehabilitation fees after withdrawing or cancelling the licence

• +20 AED Knowledge and Innovation fees.

Time Required

• Website: 5 minutes.

• Driving Institutes: 20 minutes.

Validity of Driving License in Dubai

Learning Permit

• 3 months from the date of the permit issuance.

Driving licence

• Customers under 21 years old: 1 year

• Customers 21 years old and above: 2 years.

Terms and Conditions to get Driving License in Dubai

• The customer must be present in person.

• The customer must be medically fit.

• The customer agrees to the terms and conditions when signing the training agreement and submitting the application through the DLS system.

• The training file is suspended if the customer doesn't take one of RTA tests (knowledge test, yard test, road test) within 6 months from his last appointment date.

• The customer must pass all the required tests to obtain the driving licence.

• Once the customer passes the Road test he receives a temporary licence valid for 7 days through email.

• If less than two years have passed since the last appointment, the customer must reopen the learning file again to continue the application. If more than two years passed, the customer must apply again for the service.

• The customer must abide by the following conditions to apply for a learning permit:

Driving licence for motorcycles

• The customer must not be younger than 17 years old.

Driving licence for light vehicles

• The customer must have completed the legal age of 17 years and 6 months to open a file; however, the licence is issued when the customer turns 18.

Driving licence for vehicles that transport passengers

• Its weight while empty must not exceed 2.5 tonnes, and the number of passengers must not exceed 14 without the driver.

Driving licence for vehicles that transport cargo

• Its weight while empty must not exceed 2.5 tonnes, and its cargo must not exceed 2 tonnes.

Driving licence for heavy vehicles (all types of heavy and light vehicles)

• The customer must be 20 years old.

Driving licence for light buses (all types of light buses and vehicles, which number of passengers do not exceed 26 without the driver)

• The customer must not be younger than 21 years old.

Driving licence for heavy buses (all types of light and heavy buses and light vehicles)

• The customer must not be younger than 21 years old.

Driving licence for tractors or light equipment (all types of tractors or light equipment, which weight while empty does not exceed 7.5 tonnes)

• The customer must not be younger than 20 years old.

Driving licence for tractors or heavy equipment (all types of light and heavy tractors and equipment)

• The customer must not be younger than 20 years old.

Conditions related to the Eye Test

• The customer must pass the eye test according to the requested category.

• The customer must take an eye test at an Eye Test Centre accredited by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and authorised by RTA.

For drivers of light vehicles and motorcycles

• Right eye 6/18 -- Left eye 6/18

• Right eye 6/12-- Left eye 6/24

• Right eye 6/9 -- Left eye 6/36 or 6/60

• Right eye 6/6 -- Left eye blind.

For drivers of heavy vehicles with or without spectacles

• Right eye 6/6 -- Left eye 6/18 or 6/12 or 6/9

• Right eye 6/9 -- Left eye 6/9.

For the drivers of light and heavy buses, tractors and mechanical equipment with or without spectacles

• Both eyes must be 6/6 with or without spectacles.

For colour blind customers

• The customer can apply for the permit on the condition of passing the eye test.

For holders of visas issued in other emirates

• The customer must not have a driving licence file in another emirate.

• The activity and name on the trade licence of the company’s Dubai branch must correspond.

• The customer is exempt from presenting a trade licence if he was a CEO of a company, institution, bank, public oil equipment company, university, or organisation.