Expats could face driving test to get UAE licence

DRIVING PLANS: Proposals have been put forward to reform driving regulations in the UAE. (Getty Images)

Expats may have to pass new driving tests before receiving their UAE licences under new proposals being drawn up to improve road safety, it was reported on Thursday.

Newcomers from countries such as the UK, Canada and Australia would be required to take a theoretical and practical test even if they already hold a driving licence in their home countries, reforms from a UK consultancy firm hired by the UAE government said.

Taxi drivers would also be required to have at least two years of driving experience in the UAE before being allowed to work, UAE daily The National reported.

The proposals also included an age limit of 20 years before drivers can operate some kinds of heavy vehicles.

They were debated at a session attended by representatives from the consultancy, Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), as well as public and private transport officials on Wednesday.

The TRL representatives said the proposals reflected international best practices, but some met with immediate resistance.

The proposals on taxi drivers was criticised by taxi officials.

“This is not practical. We already have a shortage of drivers. We need 50 per cent more drivers every year than we already have,” Masood Hashem, the director of compliance, regulation and licensing at TransAD, the Abu Dhabi taxi regulator said in comments published by the paper.

“The sector would die, and the salaries of taxi drivers will double.” He said higher standards were important, but should be balanced against the availability of qualified drivers.

TRL officials said that the recommendations were still in the consultation stage and detailed questionnaires would be sent out next week. Based on feedback, the proposals would be revised.

A final report will be presented by the end of this year to Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, the Minister of Interior.

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READERS' COMMENTS

One more thing ...
Posted by Bob Steve on Sunday 25 October 2009 at 10:06 UAE time


If the police dept wants to limit the number of drivers , this is a sign of their failure & that's why they like to fail people for no true reason ( as I heard ) .Instead of exsisting on roads adjusting things , they stop people from driving all together.This is bad.They should just make the test 7 the good driver should be granted the license - as simple & direct as that.They should also know that expats do not buy cars for fun there , they buy it to go to WORK !! which is sometimes so urgent , e.g.doctors,etc.

The police dept should know ...
Posted by Bob Steve on Sunday 25 October 2009 at 09:47 UAE time


Though a driving test for all seems fair BUT it will not stop the accidents.Bad drivers ( who cause accidents ) really know how to drive but their behavior is the problem & there is only ONE thing to do abut that : constant "wise" existence of police people on the roads .People should also know that not only fast cars cause accidents but cars running too slow e.g.in the left lane ( thinking that this is careful driving !! ) or hesitations e.g.stoppig in the middle of a roundabout after making the move in , all these are among practices that can cause accidents.Reckless driving is known & easy to spot but people who do not have enough courage should be kept off the road too.I have never had any problem with speedy aggressive drivers.Drivers who are too slow & hesitant ( thinking that they are careful ) caused me troubles before.Now, I 've been driving for over than 25 years , in Gulf , Europe,UAE, I can deal with all kinds of drivers !! Funny enough , I do not belong to an exempt country & will be tested probably at the time when I can actually teach driving !! lol

Tax Tax Tax
Posted by John, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 22 October 2009 at 09:06 UAE time


Just another form of taxation, just like the municipality fee charged.

Omar, where is the racism?
Posted by Amused on Monday 19 October 2009 at 18:06 UAE time


Omar,

You, like too many others, are so quick to shout "racism" whenever some makes a comment you don't like, especially about a particular group. The British are a multiethnic society so any policy against them would be hardly be racist. The same for any and all groups, countries, etc. that are not a single ethnic entity (few are). The discrimination, animosity, indifference, or whatever in the particular case may be behavior, nationalist or even culturally based, but not "racist". Claims of "racism" permiate the posts on this site. Sometimes justifiably, but more often when the person posting has no cogent argument, even when the other person is wrong. That being said, tell me where "racism" comes inot play here, Omar.

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