Dubai is the smallest of the 7 Emirates in the United Arab Emirates. This city is only 2 times bigger than the microstate of Monaco. But still, Dubai attracts tons of tourists yearly due to its lucrative lifestyle, tall skyscrapers and the dynamic vibe of the city. If you’re a tourist who doesn’t know what to expect in the driver’s license department, CarSwitch has got you covered. Remember to buy used cars in Dubai after getting your license!
What is the cost of gaining a driver’s license in Dubai?
The cost can vary between AED 4,500 to AED 7,000 but only if you succeed in the first try of the final road test. The cost also depends on the driving institute which you selected for training. A total of 7 driving institutes have been approved by the RTA in the city of Dubai in order to conduct driving training.
In case a candidate does not pass the first try, an extra 4 hours of practical training is needed. The general price of the additional training falls between the range of AED 1,200 to AED 1,500, for the second attempt.
I have my past driving experience. How many more hours of classes should I take?
Depending on the previous driving experience, the total training hours are divided into 3 types. Candidates having 2 years of driving experience are obliged to undergo at least 20 hours of practical training. This includes both road and yard training. As for the candidates having a driving experience between 2 to 5 years, they are required to take at least 15 hours of training.
Lastly, candidates having more than 5 years of driving experience require at least 10 hours of practical training prior to final attempt. However, all candidates have to take 8 hours of theory lessons. These rules and regulations are applicable if the candidate does not belong to the list of exempted countries.
How can I replace my foreign driver’s license with a national one?
An estimated 37 countries fall under the RTA’s exempted list of countries. The citizens of those exempted countries having a valid driver’s license from their countries can switch or directly replace it to achieve the UAE driving license. The list of exempted countries includes a lot of EU countries, Asian countries, North America, South Korea, the Gulf, Japan and more.
Read More: How to renew your international Indian driving licence in UAE
How many theory lessons should I take?
There are 8 theory lessons present for light motor vehicles and 9 theory lessons for heavy motor vehicles. A student of the light motor vehicle will have their theory lessons in 2 separate methods: seeing the lectures online via the institute’s learning platform or visiting their selected driving institute for attending the prescribed lectures.
As for the students of heavy motor vehicles, they are forced to visit their selected driving institute to attend lectures because e-learning is usually not available for them.
What languages are offered for the theory lessons?
Most driving institutes in the city of Dubai offer their lectures in 3 primary languages that are Urdu, Arabic and English. There are some driving institutes that offer training in some more languages. The languages used in the online lectures definitely include English and Arabic.
As for the theory tests, the student is made to visit the selected driving institute in order to attempt the test. This is because the RTA conducts the theory tests instead of the driving institutes. For the students that are unable to take theory lessons given in the 3 primary languages namely, English, Arabic and Urdu, the institute then offers an interpretative and translation service. These excellent services cross all cultural barriers and deliver the lessons in 195 or more languages.
Can I transfer my file from one driving institute to another?
Yes, it is allowed to transfer your file from one driving institute to another. The student can apply or request for a file transfer from the first driving institute after taking care of all the bills.
What documents are needed to register for a course?
When it comes to Emiratis, only the Emirati ID is needed. As for expats, the needed documents are the resident visa and Emirates ID from Dubai. RTA has compiled a list of 66 exempt professions such as managers, doctors, and lawyers, that do not need a “No Objection Certificate (NOC)” from the sponsors.
However, when it comes to all the other professions, like security guards, carpenters, cooks, home drivers and gardeners, the sponsor’s no objection certificate is compulsory.
