Introduction
Getting a driving license in Dubai is a crucial step for residents, expatriates, and tourists who wish to drive legally in the UAE. Whether you’re applying for the first time or converting an existing license, the process involves multiple steps, including theory and practical training, a parking test, and the final road test. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to book the RTA test in Dubai, from eligibility requirements to document submission and test preparation. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth and successful application process.
The renowned RTA Dubai app offers over 40 services designed to assist drivers and passengers across various locations, including service centers, metro and bus stations, taxi bookings, parking facilities, and more throughout the UAE.
Who is eligible to schedule a Dubai RTA Driving Test?
Driving in the UAE is available to residents, expatriates, and tourists, but the conditions vary depending on the type of visa and duration of stay. Those holding a UAE Golden Visa can skip driving classes if they have a valid license from their home country. They only need to book the RTA test in Dubai to obtain their UAE driving license.
If you want to book the RTA test in Dubai, you may need to be in good health and ensure you are over the legal age. The legal age for getting a Dubai driving license depends on the type of vehicle you want to drive and the license you have applied for. The details of the minimum age for getting a Dubai driving license are as follows:
- For special needs vehicles: 17 years and above
- For cars: 18 years and above
- For motorcycles: 17 years and above
- For light vehicles: 18 years
- For tractors and heavy vehicles: 20 years
- For buses: 21 years
Any applicant between the ages of 18 and 21 is allowed to obtain a driving license in Dubai.
What document do you need to book the RTA test in Dubai?
To book the RTA driving test online, you may need to submit the following documents to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA):
- Copy of passport and residency visa page (for foreigners)
- No Objection Letter from the sponsor
- Original and copy of Emirates ID
- Four passport-sized photographs
- Eye test report
Steps to book the RTA test in Dubai
The following explains the steps to get a driving license in Dubai:
1- Apply for a Dubai Driving License
The first step is to apply to the RTA. Then, enroll in an approved driving school to complete the required theoretical and practical training. Driving school fees vary, so choose a training institute that is affordable and conveniently located.
2. Submit the required documents book the RTA test in Dubai
Once enrolled, submit all necessary documents to process your application and book the RTA test in Dubai.
3. Obtain a provisional learner’s certificate
After submitting your documents, you will receive a provisional driving license or a learner’s certificate, allowing you to start practical training.
4. Attend theory and practical classes
Once your driving school has completed its assessment and analysis of all the documents and data you have provided, they will ask you to attend a series of classes and sessions. In these classes and sessions, you will be given information about the basics of driving and parking.
According to the RTA, each applicant may attend 8 classes. Applicants can attend them at their chosen training center or take online theory classes. The applicant can begin their practical training after completing these classes.
5. Know traffic laws and regulations
You may need to know Dubai’s driving regulations:
- Driver attitudes and responsibilities
- Road user characteristics
- Driver status and conditions
- Driving environment
- Traffic violations, driving on freeways and paved roads
- Hazard recognition training
- Case studies, traffic accidents, and how to deal with an accident
Ensure you have attended all these classes before starting practical training or preparing for the driving license test in Dubai.
6. Passing the theory test
The driving test in Dubai consists of questions from the Dubai Driving Regulations book that assess the applicant’s understanding of road signs, road hazards, etc. The test is held at an RTA-approved driving school, such as the Emirates Driving Institute in Dubai.
The applicant may need to bring their Emirates ID card, 2 passport-sized photos, and their driving record. In addition, they will be required to pay the theory test fee. It consists of 35 questions divided into three sections:
- Part 1: 17 questions on traffic situations (minimum 11 correct answers required to pass)
- Part 2: 18 questions on general driving knowledge (minimum 12 correct answers required to pass)
- Part 3: A video-based hazard perception test evaluating your reaction to real-world driving scenarios
This test is mainly taken to analyze the candidate’s understanding of how to react to such situations with minimal risk. The candidate must take this test on a monitor or touch-screen computer. The candidate can choose between English and Arabic, but those who do not have expertise and skills in these languages can take the oral test to obtain a driving license in Dubai.
7. Attend Practical Classes
Practical driving classes are also important for applicants to book the RTA test in Dubai. In this section, instructors who are approved by the “RTA” organization provide practical training sessions. In practical classes, applicants are taught how to drive a vehicle. You need to set a specific date to take the road test.
The number of practical training classes to book the RTA test in Dubai and obtain a driving license depends on the applicant’s previous driving experience. For example, if the applicant has 2 years of driving experience and previously had a license, a total of 5 hours will be deducted from the number of training sessions.
Furthermore, in case of 10 years of driving experience, 10 hours will be deducted from their practical training class.
8. Pass the parking test
The parking test is automated and conducted at the driving institute’s smart yard. It includes:
- Inclined parking
- Emergency parking
- Parallel parking
- 60-degree parking
- 90-degree parking
Applicants who fail the test can retake it multiple times. If failed more than five times, a reassessment is required.
Applicants who have completed a 20-hour practical training course to book the RTA test in Dubai must complete at least 12 hours of this before taking the test. Also, applicants with 15-hour and 20-hour courses must complete 10 and 12 hours of the course, respectively, before taking this test. Finally, for a 10-hour course, the applicant must complete at least 6 hours of the parking test.
9. Highway and Night Driving Training
To book the RTA road test, applicants may need to complete highway and night driving training. Female applicants are exempt from night driving training and only need to attend the highway driving session.
10. Attending the RTA final road test
Passing this final step is mandatory for RTA final road test booking online and obtaining a license. The road test lasts about 10-12 minutes, during which an examiner assesses your driving skills. Applicants must bring:
- Emirates ID
- Driving record
- Passport-sized photos
- Test fee payment
If you fail, you must attend seven additional driving lessons before retaking the test. Upon passing, the examiner provides an acknowledgment slip, after which you must:
- Register the slip at the license counter
- Pay the license issuance fee
- Take a photo of the driving license
Once completed, you will receive your UAE driving license and can buy your desired car in Dubai.
Cost of obtaining a license in the UAE
The cost to book the RTA test in Dubai and get a driving license varies based on factors like nationality and the number of test attempts. If your home country is on the UAE’s exemption list, you can simply exchange your license for a UAE one by paying a service fee of AED 100 to 500, avoiding the lengthy process of obtaining a new license.
By following these steps, you can successfully book the RTA test in Dubai and obtain your Dubai driving license with ease! The list of countries whose citizens are exempt from re-licensing in Dubai includes:
- GCC countries
- Germany
- France
- Ireland
- Canada
- Belgium
- Australia
- Austria
- Denmark
- Ireland
- Italy
- New Zealand
- Netherlands
- Japan
- Norway
- Poland
- South Africa
- Romania
- Portugal
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Switzerland
Those whose countries are not on this list will have to pay the full cost to book the RTA test in Dubai and get their license, which varies between AED 4,000 and AED 7,000. The cost can be higher if you fail the UAE driving test repeatedly.
Some of the authorized driving schools in the UAE:
Emirates Transport Driving Institute
If you are in Abu Dhabi, you may need to register with Emirates Driving Company:
- Emirates Driving Company (Contact details: +971-6-0058-8880)
If you are in Dubai, you need to choose one of the following driving schools:
- Emirates Driving Institute (Contact details: +971-4-263-1100)
- Dubai Driving Centre (Contact details: +971-4-345-5855)
- Galadari Motor Driving Centre (Contact details: +971-4-267-6166)
- Belhasa Driving Centre (Contact details: +971-4-324-3535)
- Al Ahli Driving Center (Contact details: +971-4-341-1500)
If you are in Sharjah, you need to register with Sharjah Driving Institute:
- Sharjah Driving Institute (Contact details: +971-6-538-2020)
If you are in Ras Al Khaimah, you must register with one of the following driving schools:
- Ras Al Khaimah Driving Academy
- Al Taleb Motor Driving School (Contact details: +971-7-222-3295 and +971-55-779-1339)
- Al Thana Ladies Motor Driving School (Contact details: +971-50-690-4346)
- Belhasa Driving Center (Contact details: +971-7-236-1099 and 800-235-4272)
- Al Neel Motor Driving School (Contact details: +971-7-222-1119)
- Al Kharan Motor Driving School (Contact details: +971-7-222-0133)
If you are in Fujairah, you must register with the Fujairah National Driving Institute Contact:
- Fujairah National Driving Institute (Contact details: +971-9-236-0037)
