Dubai announces major changes for expat driving licenses: Full details revealed

“This is your Golden Chance to apply for a new driving license without attending driving classes and get a direct road test via RTA’s website,” the RTA said via Twitter.

Under the new scheme, individual customers, citizens and residents in Dubai, who are above the legal age and medically fit, are eligible to apply for this service, as per the RTA website.

However, the candidate must pass the RTA driving exams, both the theory and road test, in one go.

Required documents for Dubai expat driving licenses:

For residents in Dubai:

1. Original Emirates ID

For residents with visas issued in the other emirates:

1. Copy of the tenancy agreement approved by ejari 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

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 license from their countries

1. A copy of the customer previous valid driving licence
2. Knowledge test and Road test results

Fees:

• AED100 learning permit fees for motorcycles, light vehicles, light automatic vehicle
• AED200 learning permit fees for light buses, heavy buses, light equipment, heavy equipment, and heavy vehicles
• AED200 to open a traffic file
• AED50 for the handbook manual
• The electronic eye test at the Eye Test Centres: AED140 minimum and AED180 maximum

Changing the driving learning permit from manual to automatic or the opposite

• AED200
• + AED20 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 license

• AED100 new license fees for customers younger than 21 years old
• AED300 new license fees for customers 21 years old and above
• +20 AED Knowledge and Innovation fees

Adding a new category to the driving license

• AED200 new license fees
• +AED20 Knowledge and Innovation fees

If the driving license is not issued after passing the road test for more than one year

• AED200 for opening a training file
• AED100 for issuing a learning application
• AED50 for the handbook manual
• AED300 for issuing the driving license
• AED200 RTA test fees
• +AED20 Knowledge and Innovation fees

Driving test after withdrawing or cancelling the driving license

• AED200 RTA test fees
• AED200 for opening a training file
• AED100 for issuing a learning application
• AED3,000 rehabilitation fees after withdrawing or cancelling the license
• +AED20 Knowledge and Innovation fees

How to apply:

Customers can apply via the RTA website or at one of the Dubai driving institutes listed below: