How to Get a Driver’s License in Dubai? A Step-by-Step Guide

If you are an expat living in Dubai, the rules, regulations, and the process of getting a driving license can get quite confusing, especially since Dubai has different regulations for citizens of different countries. But don’t worry! In this guide, we will explain how to get a driver’s license in Dubai, no matter where you are from.

How to Get a Driving License in Dubai 

The basic procedure to get your driver’s license goes like this:

Step 1: Get your eye tests done.

Step 2: Get yourself registered at a driving school.

Step 3: Submit the required documents.

Step 4: Get a temporary learner’s permit.

Step 5: Take 8 theory classes.

Step 6: Take practical classes.

Step 7: Pass the internal parking test.

Step 8: Finish the highway and city road classes.

Step 9: Pass the final RTA road test.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai has set out different rules and regulations to acquire a driver’s license, depending on where you come from:

1. For beginners with no valid license
2. For citizens with transferable licenses from RTA-listed countries
3. For non-citizens of the RTA-listed countries with a valid license from those countries
4. For citizens of countries not listed in the RTA list

Before we get into discussing how each scenario works, let’s first see what the RTA list is.

RTA List for Transferable Licenses

RTA Dubai has created a list of 32 countries, including the GCC and other friendly countries. Citizens belonging to these countries can get their driving licenses transferred to Dubai. These countries include:

1. Saudi Arabia
2. Bahrain
3. Kuwait 
4. Oman
5. Qatar
6. South Africa
7. Canada
8. United States of America
9. Austria
10. Belgium
11. Japan
12. Spain
13. Germany
14. France
15. Ireland
16. Norway
17. Turkey
18. Italy 
19. Sweden
20. Australia 
21. Greece
22. New Zealand
23. Switzerland
24. Denmark
25. United Kingdom
26. Poland
27. Romania
28. Finland
29. Portugal
30. Cyprus
31. Netherlands
32. South Korea

The countries mentioned in bolded letters will need to get their licenses translated into Arabic and/or English with the help of an embassy or approved agents. However, this doesn’t apply to Canadians. Canadian license holders will require a special letter from the Canadian Consulate in Dubai to authorize their license. 

Now that you know which countries fall under RTA’s list of countries with transferable licenses, let’s look at the different scenarios and procedures for expats, depending on where you come from.

1. For Beginners With No Valid License

If you are a beginner at driving, you will need to register at a driving school or institute and attend at least 40 classes. After attending the classes, you will need to take your institute’s driving tests and then the final RTA tests for driving. 

If you pass all your tests on your first attempt, you will have to pay about AED 5,500 to get a license. This cost includes all the tests, classes, and school fees.

In order to apply for the driver’s license as a beginner, you will need the following documents:

• Your original Emirates ID with a copy.
• Your passport with a photocopy of the main page and the visa.
• Eight or more passport-sized photos.
• Eye test reports.
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your sponsor (depending on each case).

2. For Citizens With Transferable Licenses from RTA-Listed Countries

For people with valid licenses and citizenship in any of the 32 RTA-listed countries, they can transfer their licenses to a Dubai license. The transfer fee for such residents will start from AED 360. So if you are a citizen of these countries and also have a driving license from any of these countries, you can easily transfer it to a Dubai license. 

For instance, if you are a British citizen with a British driving license or a British citizen with a German driving license, you can visit the RTA and get your license transferred to your UAE license in less than 30 minutes if you have the following documents:

• Your passport with a copy of it.
• Your residence visa copy.
• Your original license with its copy.
• A consulate letter or a translated license if you are from Canada, Turkey, Poland, South Korea, Japan, or Greece. 
• Your passport-sized photos.
• Your eye test reports from test centers that are approved by DHA.
• NOC from your sponsor.

3. For Non-Citizens of RTA-Listed Countries With a Valid License from Those Countries

If you don’t belong to an RTA-listed country but do have a license from any of these countries, you will need to register yourself with a driving school to get your license. For instance, if you are a Chinese citizen with a valid driving license from the U.S., you will need to get in touch with a driving license.

You will also be required to register for the RTA test process. Take all the necessary documents and make an appointment for the RTA tests. You will have to pay an estimated AED 2,200 for the registration fees of the school and the RTA test fees. If you don’t pass the final RTA tests, you will need to take at least 8 classes before you retake the test.

You will need to take the following documents along with you:

• Your original license with its copy.
• Your passport, its copy, and the copy of its visa page.
• Your Emirates ID with its copy.
• NOC from your sponsor.
• Eight or more passport-sized photos.
• Eye test reports.

4. For Citizens of Countries Not Listed in RTA’s List

If you have a driver’s license from a country that is not on RTA’s list, you will need to take driving classes to attain a UAE license. The number of classes depends on the validity of your current license.

If your current license from your home country has remained valid for more than 5 years, you will need to complete at least 20 classes before you take your driving tests. If it has been valid for 2-5 years, you will need to take at least 30 classes. But if you have had the license for less than 2 years, you will need to take at least 40 classes. 

To apply, you will need the following documents:

• Your current license with its copy.
• Your Emirates ID with its copy.
• Your passport with a copy of its visa page.
• Eight or more passport-sized photos.
• NOC from your sponsor.
• Eye test reports.

The fees for the driver’s license will depend on the validity period of your license. For more info, call 8009090 to get more info about your documents and the requirements.