Those who reside in Dubai are aware of how crucial driving is to daily life. In this day and age, the ability to drive a car is very important for transportation, and some jobs even require a license as a job requirement. It is, therefore, imperative that you understand the process of renewing your Dubai driving license. You might have learned to drive from an institute, for instance, the Emirates Driving Institute in Dubai. As far as driving institutes go, this is one of the best in the UAE. The UAE has always regarded obtaining a driving license as a major achievement, especially for those residing in Dubai properties as an ex-pat.
In case you are one step behind this stage and are still attempting to enter the city, don’t forget that you could get a residency visa by buying property in Dubai.
So without further ado, we will show you the full details regarding the driving license renewal process in Dubai and its different procedures.
To start with your driving license renewal, you must have all the necessary documents with you. A valid Emirates ID card is necessary for anyone under the age of 21. According to the RTA guidelines, applicants above the age of 21 must bring an original Emirates ID card along with an eye test based on the required category. For residents and other GCC nationals, the license is valid for five years.
Residents under the age of 21 may also apply for a probationary license to drive. Upon receiving a first-time learner’s permit, the applicant may apply for a driving test six months later.
Any driver’s license application in any nation requires an eye exam; the same applies to renewing your driving license in Dubai. Following the eye exam, the optical store will update your personal data on the system so you can move on to the next phase. It is really important and noteworthy to know that you don’t need to go for an eye test in certain cases. If an eye test has been done, for example, the results are valid for up to three years. Therefore, you won’t need any kind of eye test if you are renewing your driving license for the first time, which is done after a two-year interval. Make sure to pay all fines and fees before proceeding to apply for a driver’s license renewal at the optician.
Dubai has a number of eye test centers, including:
The application process is quite simple. There are, however, a variety of ways in which you can accomplish this. These include RTA smart Kiosks, the Dubai Drive mobile app, customer delight centers, service centers, and the website of the Road and Transport Authority (RTA). For each, we’ll walk you through the procedure step-by-step.
The RTA official website delivers a perfect and user-friendly tool for online Driver’s license renewal in Dubai. Whether you desire to apply for a new license or just renew your previous one, make sure to follow these steps:
The process of applying through the Dubai Drive mobile app is just the same as that of the website. The only thing you need to make sure of is that you, the driver, should have a mobile phone first. You can then follow the app’s guide to renewing your driving license; it’s really that easy!
You can renew your driver’s license easily with the RTA Dubai Drive App. Both Android and iOS devices can access the app.
Most ex-pats in Dubai apply for their driver’s license renewal through the RTA website, call center, or smartphone apps. However, there is a large number of transactions recorded regarding the increasing use of smart kiosks, also known as self-service smart machines.
The process of license renewal from a kiosk is just the same as license renewal through Service Centers. Here are the kiosks in Dubai used for driver’s license renewal:
The owner of the driver’s license must go to any RTA kiosk and take the steps outlined below in order to renew their license at an RTA smart self-service kiosk:
RTA-trusted opticians in Dubai can also renew your driver’s license. To renew your RTA driver’s license at the eye doctor, simply follow the instructions below:
While you wait for your own original license, a temporary license will be sent to you via email to print. It can be delivered by courier for a one-time fee of just 25 AED through a customer delight center in Al Barsha or Deira, or both.
No, Dubai does not require an international driving license (IDL). The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai allows visitors to drive with a valid driving license from any country in the world, provided it is in English or Arabic. Visitors and tourists can drive in Dubai with their foreign driving license for up to 6 months from the date of entry in the UAE. However, if the driving license is not in English or Arabic, it must be attested and translated into either of these languages by the embassy of the issuing country. Alternatively, a visitor can obtain an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) from their country of origin, which is valid for up to one year. The IDP should be used in conjunction with a valid foreign driving license.
This is very beneficial for those who travel frequently or have a Dubai work visa and permit.
Your Dubai driving license renewal will cost AED 10 more per month if it takes longer than ten years. The maximum fine might be AED 500 if the renewal process is delayed. If your driver’s license has been out of active service for more than ten years, you can only renew it after passing the required road test.
Dubai’s major costs of living are enough to deal with without having to pay such fees. This is why it is important to keep track of your license renewal date and make sure to renew it before it lapses. To avoid this fee, it is recommended that you renew your license at least two months prior to its expiration. Renewing your license on time helps you save money and avoid the hassle of taking a road test.
We hope this guide regarding Driving License Renewal in Dubai was useful for you. As you can see, the procedures mentioned in this article were quite simple and straightforward. We didn’t want to explain only one procedure because the UAE has utilized advanced methods for receiving a new driver’s license or even renewing one in order to set its residents at ease. An international driving license (IDL) is also crucial for those who travel frequently or have a Dubai work visa and permit.
The cost of renewing a driver's license in Dubai is around AED 100. If the renewal process is delayed, the cost will increase by AED 10 per month. The maximum fine might be AED 500 if the renewal process is delayed for more than ten years.
Generally, it takes approximately two weeks to receive a new driver's license in Dubai. The application process must first be submitted online, after which the applicant will receive a text message confirming the submission. The applicant will then have to visit the Vehicle Licensing Department to submit the required documents and have the medical test done. After that, the applicant will have to wait for the license to be processed and issued. Once the license is issued, the applicant will receive a text message informing them that the license is ready for collection. The applicant can then collect the driver's license from the Vehicle Licensing Department.
Yes, if the driver's license is not renewed in time, it could lead to a suspension of the license and a fine. The fine will depend on the time of renewal, with AED 10 per month for early renewal and a maximum fine of AED 500 for those renewing after 10 years. After the driver's license is suspended, the driver must go through the process of license renewal again, which includes passing the required road test and meeting other requirements.
