Driving License in Dubai

How to Apply for a Driving License in Dubai?

To get a driving license in Dubai, you would need to be a permanent resident of Dubai or have a proof of residency. On top of that you would need to undergo a driving course and get a no objection certificate from your employer. Now most people think that getting a driver’s license in Dubai and getting an international driving permit in Dubai is the same. They are not; certain rules and regulations apply to foreign citizens.

Getting a Driving Licence

If you have proof of residency and are applying for a Dubai driving license then you must undergo a driving course from one of the five authorized driving school in Dubai. Note this, Dubai is cutting down the numbers of citizens who can drive in their city and so the certification coming from employer would play an important role in getting a license. 

Get an eye test from your optician or through your driving school. Your driver’s license’s application form would have to be mechanically typed in Arabic. Your driving school can help you with this and with the submission of your license to Road and Transport Authority (RTA); you will then receive your temporary license that you need to strictly bring with you during your training. You will then be required to pass all internal tests like the parking and garage tests before you can apply for the theory test. Once you’ve passed this test, you can now proceed to road test. In the road test, you will be given a few minutes to demonstrate your skills, once you’ve passed, you may then get your driving license.

Getting an International Driving Permit in Dubai

International Driving Permit or IDP can be acquired by applying through Automobile and Touring Club of UAE. You must be 18 years and above as well as have a valid driving license. For the IDP, you wouldn't have to get a driving course as long as your driving license came from any of the GCC or Gulf Cooperation countries. If you are from a non-GCC country you will need to get a letter from your embassy about the validity of your license as well as the Arabic translation of everything written in your license if not already written in Arabic or English.