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Discuss this article (19 Comments)Over 40% support driving licence test for all expats
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Wednesday, 21 October 2009
DUBAI DRIVING: Under plans all expats will have to retake their test to get a UAE driving licence. (Getty Images)
More than 40 percent of people support plans to make all expats pass a new driving test in the UAE before being granted a licence, the latest Arabian Business poll has found.
Forty one percent of respondents to the online poll said all expats should have to go through the same process in order to improve road safety across the country.
Newcomers from countries like the UK, Canada and Australia, currently do not have to retake their test in the UAE if they have passed back home.
However, reforms to the system, suggested by a UK consultancy firm, include introducing a blanket rule for all expats requiring them to take a theoretical and practical test even if they already hold a driving licence.
The poll found that 21.6 percent of people thought the new rules would not help improve road safety, and that it was just a “money making scheme”.
Some 15.4 percent of people said expats from all countries should be exempt from UAE driving licence testing if they have passed back home.
While, 20 percent of people said UK motorists had to go through a much stricter testing at home and so would be better drivers than some other expats.
Under the rules taxi drivers will be required to have at least two years of driving experience in the UAE before being allowed to work, and the age limit for people driving heavy vehicles will be raised to 20.
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
Drivers Licence
Posted by Tanza, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Friday 23 October 2009 at 03:04 UAE time
I have a drivers licence from Canada. I would prefer NOT to drive on UAE roads. If I had to get tested AGAIN I would simply ask my employer to provide a driver for me 24 hours a day or take the test. Driving in any country is a privilege and not a right so if the country decides that all get tested then so be it. No citizen of another country can demand the right to drive in the UAE.
Posted by Tanza, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Friday 23 October 2009 at 03:04 UAE time
I have a drivers licence from Canada. I would prefer NOT to drive on UAE roads. If I had to get tested AGAIN I would simply ask my employer to provide a driver for me 24 hours a day or take the test. Driving in any country is a privilege and not a right so if the country decides that all get tested then so be it. No citizen of another country can demand the right to drive in the UAE.
Right on topic
Posted by wael, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 22 October 2009 at 18:20 UAE time
it's nice to see everybody on topic, especially since the main factor that everybody seems to agree on is nationality!!?. Go to a police station Thursday night and do a statistic on DUI per nationality :) and yes others have zero common sense, keep ur yaris and mini bus out of the fast lane. but you can't fix that if the policeman is busy on his phone while driving down SHZ road without a seatbelt. So 40% say yes! it should be all!!, lets all agree if u plan to drive in the UAE and ur a holder of a respectable driving license, get a test drive, if you pass, u get a temp license for 6 months, one offense ur off the road. if you r getting ur license for the first time, go to school, take a test, and get a temp license and voila, it's got nothing to do with nationality, it's all about common sense, respect, and courtesy. Respect
Posted by wael, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 22 October 2009 at 18:20 UAE time
it's nice to see everybody on topic, especially since the main factor that everybody seems to agree on is nationality!!?. Go to a police station Thursday night and do a statistic on DUI per nationality :) and yes others have zero common sense, keep ur yaris and mini bus out of the fast lane. but you can't fix that if the policeman is busy on his phone while driving down SHZ road without a seatbelt. So 40% say yes! it should be all!!, lets all agree if u plan to drive in the UAE and ur a holder of a respectable driving license, get a test drive, if you pass, u get a temp license for 6 months, one offense ur off the road. if you r getting ur license for the first time, go to school, take a test, and get a temp license and voila, it's got nothing to do with nationality, it's all about common sense, respect, and courtesy. Respect
Driving Tests
Posted by Fred, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 22 October 2009 at 16:48 UAE time
What's your Nationality got to do with it? Tests for all is the only way forward. Your either capable or your not. The standard of the examiners and type of tests certainly need to be reviewed. Driving around a car park then the roads of Jebel Ali is not a high enough standard to allow a new driver onto SZ Road. The UK system is a good example, get the level of tests and examiners up first, then we may start letting capable drivers onto the roads of the UAE.
Posted by Fred, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 22 October 2009 at 16:48 UAE time
What's your Nationality got to do with it? Tests for all is the only way forward. Your either capable or your not. The standard of the examiners and type of tests certainly need to be reviewed. Driving around a car park then the roads of Jebel Ali is not a high enough standard to allow a new driver onto SZ Road. The UK system is a good example, get the level of tests and examiners up first, then we may start letting capable drivers onto the roads of the UAE.
driving test for all
Posted by SS, Dubai on Thursday 22 October 2009 at 16:23 UAE time
This is a rediculous idea, and has nothing to do with improving safety standards. UK tests are better, more reliable, and consistant than UAE, why should UK license need to be validated by a test in UAE. If UAE want to improve road safety, first educate the testers and have a fair and reliable tests, then make sure that bad drivers (regardless of nationality and including Emaratis) are penalised and re tested in necessary. Statistics of which nationality casues more accidents are useful, but more importantly education of the police, pedestrian, and drivers to know and respect the law..when all is done, the final lesson is courtesy .. sadly does not exist on the raods of the UAE.
SS
Posted by SS, Dubai on Thursday 22 October 2009 at 16:23 UAE time
This is a rediculous idea, and has nothing to do with improving safety standards. UK tests are better, more reliable, and consistant than UAE, why should UK license need to be validated by a test in UAE. If UAE want to improve road safety, first educate the testers and have a fair and reliable tests, then make sure that bad drivers (regardless of nationality and including Emaratis) are penalised and re tested in necessary. Statistics of which nationality casues more accidents are useful, but more importantly education of the police, pedestrian, and drivers to know and respect the law..when all is done, the final lesson is courtesy .. sadly does not exist on the raods of the UAE.
SS
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