Driving license in the UAE - how to get one?

If you decide to move to the UAE for permanent residence, you should know that you can't do without a car. Although public transportation is available in major cities, not everyone will want to get used to its schedule. In addition, the summer in the Emirates is particularly hot, so a long wait at a public transport stop will not be pleasant for you.

To address this issue, obtaining a UAE driver's license is advisable. With it, you will be able to rent or buy a car without any problems and enjoy driving around the country.

What are the requirements to get a UAE driving license?

Getting a Driving License in Dubai: What documents should I prepare?

How to get a driving license in Dubai?

To get the coveted license, you need to go through the following steps:

1. Choose a driving school that meets all your requirements.
2. Apply for registration and pay the required fees.
3. Receive confirmation of your enrollment in the driving school.
4. Pass a vision test.
5. Study the theoretical part of the traffic rules and take the exam at the end.
6. Take the practical lessons and pass the second test.

How to choose a driving school in Dubai?

You can choose almost any school in Dubai to study and get your license. To choose the right driving school, consider the following points:

• Whether the driving school has an RTA license;
• How long it has been in operation;
• How convenient its location is for you;
• Whether it offers distance learning;
• How much you will have to pay for the training.

We also recommend that you visit the driving school's website and read real reviews about them before making a decision.

What are the theoretical and practical lessons at the driving school?

Theory lessons

During the theoretical lessons you will study in detail all the traffic rules, road signs, learn how to act in various unforeseen situations that can happen on the road. How you master the theory depends on the further practical part.

Practical part

In the practical part of the course you will learn about the car's equipment and how to drive it. Special attention is given to parking, turning and driving in heavy traffic. The total duration of the practical training is 10-20 hours.

Passing the practical test

During the practical test, a candidate for a driver's license must perform the following tasks

• Park parallel to a stationary vehicle (parallel parking);
• Park in reverse
• Make a turn, U-turn, or turn around;
• Demonstrate skills in city traffic.

A grade will be given at the end of the test. If the exam is unsatisfactory, a retake will be offered. If you receive a passing grade, you will be issued a driver's license.

"Golden Chance" for foreigners

The Golden Chance program was launched in the first half of 2023 and was aimed at those who already hold a driver's license in another country. To obtain a UAE license, a foreign license holder had to come to a UAE driving school, pay a set fee and pass theoretical and practical tests. After that, the applicant could receive a UAE license in just a few days without undergoing any training.

Citizens of Ukraine, USA, Japan and European countries could change their driver's license automatically. Russian driver's licenses in the UAE did not fall under this program. Therefore, Russian citizens must undergo full training at a driving school.

Currently, this program has been suspended and it is unknown if it will be resumed.

How much does it cost to get a driver's license in Dubai?

The total cost of obtaining a driver's license in Dubai is approximately 1-3 thousand US dollars. It depends on how many times you have to retake the test.

Getting a driver's license in Dubai can take some time, but the process is fairly simple. By following the steps above, you will be able to obtain a local driver's license and enjoy the freedom of driving anywhere and everywhere.

Contacts

United Arab Emirates, Dubai, Barsha Heights, I-Rise Tower, 29th Floor, Office 5