Apply for UAE driving licence

LIVING IN THE UAE

HOW TO'S

A comprehensive step-by-step instruction guide to setting up in the UAE, from applying for your residence visa and resident ID to renting a home and opening a bank account.

Open a Bank Account (1/19)

Take the medical test (2/19)

Apply for visa (3/19)

Renew of visa (4/19)

Apply for a resident ID card (5/19)

Renew a resident ID card (6/19)

Apply for a health card (7/19)

Apply for Mobile (8/19)

Connect Electricity & Water (9/19)

Connect Internet (10/19)

Apply for a landline (11/19)

Subscribe to satellite / cable TV (12/19)

Buy a property (13/19)

Apply for UAE driving licence (14/19)

Transfer a foreign driving licence (15/19)

Buy a new vehicle (16/19)

Buy a second-hand vehicle (17/19)

Have a baby (18/19)

Obtain a Birth Certificate (19/19)

Overview

Once you have a UAE residence visa and if you want to drive a car (private or leased) in the UAE, you must apply for a UAE driving licence. International and foreign driving licences are valid for use only up to the date on which the residence visa is issued.

Prerequisites

UAE resident

Aged 18 or older
Has driving licence from home country

What to bring

Passport with residence visa (copy and original)
No objection certificate (NOC) from employer or sponsor
Existing driving licence
Eight passport-sized photographs
Eye test certificate, available at any approved optician for Dhs.50-100

Procedure

Attend a driving school approved by the authority responsible for driving licences in your emirate.
The driving school will usually handle all the necessary paperwork on your behalf.
You will be given a temporary driving licence.
Your school will apply for your theory and road test on your behalf.
If you fail the road test, you will be required to take eight driving lessons and re-sit the practical.

The responsible transport authorities in the UAE include the Drivers Licensing Department (DLD) in Abu Dhabi, Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai, Sharjah Roads & Transport Authority, Ajman Public Transport Corporation, Fujairah Transport Corporation, Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority, and Umm Al Quwain Municipality will be able to provide further advice.