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Apply for a New Driving Licence

This service enables you to obtain a new driving licence in Dubai or add a new category to the current driving licence after passing the required tests in the emirate of Dubai.

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Eligibility
Individual customers, citizens and residents in Dubai, who are above the legal age and medically fit, are eligible to apply for this service.
Required documents
  1. Original Emirates ID

For residents with visas issued in the other emirates, one of the following

  1. Copy of the tenancy agreement approved by ejari or copy of the Title Deed 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
  4. An official document proving that you are currently a student 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.
Service fees
  • 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.
Process time
  • Website: 5 minutes.
  • Driving Institutes: 20 minutes.
Website
Driving Institutes


Institute

Area/Branch

Contact Number

Belhasa Driving Centre

Al Wasel Branch

04-3243535

Belhasa Driving Centre

Jebel Ali

04-8817171

Belhasa Driving Centre

Nad Al Hammar

04-2895908

Belhasa Driving Centre

Al Qouz 4

04-5091200

Belhasa Driving Centre

Al Qouz

04-3412636

Dubai Driving Centre

Jumairah

04-3455855

Dubai Driving Centre

Al Qouz Industrial 3

04-3236000

Dubai Driving Centre

Al Qusais 1

04-2381115

Dubai Driving Centre

Al Khail

04-4048000

Dubai International Driving Centre (Drive Dubai)

Dubai Investment Park 2

04-8855118

Galadari Motor Driving Centre

Al Qusais 4

04-2676166

Galadari Motor Driving Centre

Al Qouz 3

04-4043401

Emirates Driving Institute

Al Qusais 1

04-2631100

Emirates Driving Institute

Al Qouz 3

04-2631100

Emirates Transport Driving Institute

Warsan 3

8006006

Excellence Driving Centre

Al Qusais Industrial 5

600515154

Excellence Driving Centre

Port Rashid (Jumeirah)

04-5280744

Bin Yaber Driving Centre

Al Rowayyah

04-2156000

Bin Yaber Driving Centre

Jebel Ali

04-2156000

Eco Drive Driving Institute

Dubai Industrial City

600595959


Process
  1. The customer applies for the service through RTA Website using the valid Emirates ID.
  2. The customer identity is verified by sending an OTP to the phone number registered in the system.
  3. If the customer is a previous licence holder, he must submit a front and back copy of the licence.
  4. The Driving Institute contacts the customer to agree on the required training package.
  5. The customer settles the required fees at the Institute to complete the process for obtaining the service and start the training.
  6. The customer receives a link by SMS and enters the OTP to sign the electronic contract through RTA Website.
  7. The customer takes an eye test at an Eye Test Centre accredited by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and authorised by RTA.
  8. The customer receives the digital learning permit via SMS and e-mail to start the training.
  9. After the customer completes the training requirements for each stage, he books the required test date (Knowledge, Yard or Road).
  10. If he has a previous unexchangeable licence, he can take the golden chance for the Road Test. The test requires no training hours and the chance is given only once.
    • If the customer fails the Road test, he takes the training hours without the theory part based on his previous experience.
  11. The customer settles all the required fees after passing the all tests.
  12. The new digital driving licence is issued after paying all the required fees.
  13. The customer with an Apple device can receive the electronic licence from the Apple Wallet through the RTA Dubai App.
Average waiting time
  • Website: Instantly.
  • Driving Institutes: 10 minutes.
Validity

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.
What you will get

A new driving licence.

Terms and conditions
  • 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.
FAQs
  • Question 1: If the customer is taking driving lessons in Dubai and then changes the visa to another emirate, who issues the licence after the customer passes the Road Test knowing that the visa is not from Dubai anymore?

Answer 1: Knowing that the file is opened in Dubai, the licence is issued in Dubai after the customer passes the Road test.

  • Question 2: What is the required number of driving lessons if the customer wants to change the driving licence from automatic to manual?

Answer 2: There are no driving lessons required if the customer wants to change the driving licence from automatic to manual, but he should pass the Road Test.

  • Question 3: What is in the Dubai Drivers' handbook?

Answer 3: The handbook includes road rules information, including safe driving and crash prevention tips, and information on traffic offenses and black points. It also includes information about road signs and road markings that are used in Dubai and the UAE. This handbook is the only one related to road rules that is approved by the Dubai Government.

  • Question 4: When is the handbook's information updated?

Answer 4: A review of the handbook is conducted every 6 months, and an updated version is issued if necessary. When significant changes occur, a leaflet with the updated information may be provided with the handbook.

  • Question 5: What does the customer do if he thinks the information in the handbook is incorrect?

Answer 5: In this case, he can contact RTA Call Centre 8009090.

  • Question 6: Why does the handbook cost 50 AED?

Answer 6: The government of Dubai has set 50 AED as a cost for all similar documents. The cost includes the development and production of the handbook as well as the routine replacement of the handbook with new additions.

  • Question 7: Is purchasing the handbook mandatory with overseas licence exchange?

Answer 7: Yes, all customers who exchange their overseas licence to a Dubai licence must purchase a copy of the light vehicle handbook. The handbook cost is automatically calculated and added to the payment receipt.

  • Question 8: What if the customer already has a handbook?

Answer 8: The customer must purchase a copy of the handbook to make sure that everyone has his own updated copy.

  • Question 9: What if the customer does not want to purchase a handbook as part of the driving licence exchange process?

Answer 9: In this case, the customer will not be allowed to exchange the licence.

  • Question 10: Can a housemaid apply for a driving licence?

Answer 10: Yes, a housemaid can apply for a driving licence if she provides all the required documents.

  • Question 11: Is it possible for the customer to get the driving licence 1 year after passing the Road test?

Answer 11: If the customer did not get the driving licence within a period of 1 year from passing the test, he must take and pass another Road test.

  • Question 12: In case of failing the Road test, can the customer apply for another appointment?

Answer 12: Yes, after finishing the training lessons.

  • Question 13: If the customer's traffic file was issued in Dubai then there was a change in the place of issuance of the residence visa after passing the Road test, which emirate issues the licence?

Answer 13: The licence is issued in Dubai regardless of the residence visa place of issuance.

  • Question 14: What are the reasons behind not issuing the driving licence after passing the Road test?

Answer 14: The driving licence does not get issued after one year or more from passing the road test.

  • Question 15: What type of changes on the driving learning permit can a customer apply for?

Answer 15: The customer can apply for the following changes:

  1. Change the driving learning permit category from manual to automatic or the opposite
  2. Transfer the driving learning permit to another driving institute
  3. Change the driving learning permit from regular to special.
  • Question 16:Will the customer receive a notification when applying to change the permit category through the website?

Answer 16: The driving institute contacts the customer as soon as he successfully submits the application.

Question 17: Can the customer apply for changing the driving learning permit if it was expired?

Answer 17: No, the driving learning permit must be valid.

  • Question 18: Can the customer change the permit category from manual light vehicle to heavy vehicle?

Answer 18: The customer can change the permit category only from manual to automatic or the opposite.

  • Question 19: Are there any fees to change the branch of the driving institute?

Answer 19: There are no fees to transfer the driving learning permit to a different branch of the same driving institute. However, there are fees that vary according to driving institute when transferring the driving learning permit to another driving institute, in which case the customer also needs to submit a clearance certificate to transfer the permit to the other institute.

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