Dubai driving license: full guide 2026

UAE driving license

UAE is a country with a well organised transportation system that has been made accessible to people of different categories. The UAE driving license is a verified approval that permits you to drive any vehicle across all the Emirates.

If you hold UAE resident visa, it is mandatory to have a valid driving license in the UAE.

The regulatory body in charge of managing the UAE transportation system including the licensing is the Road and Transport Authority commonly referred to as the RTA. This covers every aspect of road transportation in the UAE including the metro system.

For entrepreneurs involved in business setup in UAE, obtaining a driving license may be essential for business operations, whether for personal mobility or logistics-related purposes.

So, this article will be walking you through all the stages to obtaining your own UAE driving license including some important additional information.

UAE driving license categories list

Just like there are categories of road transportation systems, there are also different UAE driving license categories. This means, each category of vehicle requires its own licensing methods and also a different method of learning.

Below is the UAE driving categories list, they are 8 in number:

How to convert your driving license in Dubai

If you have a driver’s license from your home country and want to convert it into a Dubai driver’s license you need  to fulfill the necessary requirements.

First, you need to check if your license is from a country that is eligible for conversion. You can see a full updated list of countries on the official RTA Licensing Services section (Driving Licence Exchange / Conversion). Residents holding a valid foreign driving licence from RTA-recognised countries can apply online to exchange it for a Dubai licence via the RTA website or app using UAE Pass, without mandatory driving lessons. Furthermore, some residents may qualify for the "Golden Chance" initiative; this allows eligible individuals with foreign licenses to attempt a one-time direct road test without mandatory training, with the package cost typically ranging around 2,000–2,500 AED depending on the school.**

Note that licenses from some countries will be withheld and a UAE license will be given as a replacement.

If you are eligible for license conversion, just follow these steps:

1. Do eye test at RTA approved facility
2. Do legal translation of your driving license if it was not in English
3. Visit one of RTA service centers or use the RTA website/app for a fully online process
4. Submit required documents: eye test, original license and copy, passport, resident visa, Emirates ID
5. Pay the fees of 870 AED
6. Receive a UAE driving license

How to get a new Dubai driving license

The following categories of applicants need to enrol to UAE driving school, take classes and exams in order to obtain a UAE driver’s license:

• Those who have a valid license from home country, but it is not eligible for conversion. 
• Those who never had a driving license and want to start driving in UAE.

Below are the steps to obtain a new Dubai driving license:

1. Register with one of the verified driving schools in the Emirate you reside. Note that many initial steps, such as opening a driving file, paying fees, and booking tests, are now accessible online through the RTA Dubai / Dubai Drive app and the rta.ae portal with UAE Pass authorization.
2. Go for an eye and fitness test at any medical center approved by the RTA
3. Complete theory classes and exam
4. Start driving classes. The number of classes will be assigned by the school based on your previous driving experience and the results of internal school assessments.
5. Once all classes are completed, you may take the exams: yard test and road test
6. Upon passing the exams successfully, get your Dubai driver's license

You need to get your license from the Emirate where your visa is issued. Note that different Emirates have slightly different rules on getting a driver’s license in terms on the lessons and the number of hours you need to practive before the exam.

Documents required for the UAE Drivers License

• Emirates ID
• Valid passport and visa copy
• Original copy of no objection certificate from your sponsor
• Eye test results
• 2 copies of your passport size photograph

Basic Conditions for Obtaining the UAE Drivers License

• The candidate must be at least 17 years old for a light vehicle (Category B), in line with the federal regulations effective from March 29, 2025.
• Must have a valid Emirates ID
• Must be medically and physically fit to enroll in the training session
• Must pass all the required tests, both the practical and theoretical aspect

Dubai Driving Centers

To get a valid Dubai RTA driving license for any UAE citizen or resident requires you to apply to any of the RTA approved driving centres and fulfill the necessary processes.

There are 6 RTA certified driving schools in Dubai where you can take training and exams for a driver's license.

Driving schools Dubai

Below is the list of Dubai RTA approved driving institutes:

• Al Ahli Driving Centre https://alahlidubai.ae/ 800 252454 / 04 341 1500
• Belhasa Driving Centre https://www.bdc.ae/ 800 235 4272 / 04 324 3535
• Emirates Driving Institute https://edi-uae.com/ 04 263 1100
• Drive Dubai https://www.drivedubai.ae/ 04 885 5118
• Dubai Driving Centre https://www.dubaidrivingcenter.net/index.html 04 345 5855
• Galadari Motor Driving Centre https://www.gmdc.ae/ 600 595956 / 04 267 6166
• Excellence Driving School excellencedriving.com 600 524444
• Eco Drive ecodrive.ae 600 533331

Click on the links above to visit any of the Dubai driving centres and check if they have some special offers or promos, which they frequently run.

Dubai driving license fees 2025

To get an exact amount for the Dubai driving license may be a bit difficult for you until you have contacted the driving institute you desire. This is because it all depends on the institute's standard prices and the type of training you want to enroll in.

As of 2025, a full Dubai driving licence course for new drivers typically starts from around 4,000–5,000 AED and can go higher depending on the school, package type, number of attempts, and additional services. Always check current packages and promotions directly with the driving schools or via RTA-approved channels.

If you fail to pass the first road test, you will have to take and pay for extra seven classes, so your expenses will increase.

RTA theory test

The theory test also referred to as the knowledge test comes after attending the classes either online or at the learning centre. This is where you learn about all the basic and important aspects of driving before finally putting it into real practice.

The theory test is split into 3 parts which examine your knowledge of:

• general traffic environments
• traffic rules
• risk recognition techniques

So, to pass the theory test, it is advisable to practice as much as possible. Using online resources of your driving school or different RTA platforms like their mobile app and website could be a good directive to exam preparation.

RTA parking test

This part of training is specifically geared towards strengthening your parking skills. So the parking test is actually to assess your parking abilities in different dimensions. A full instruction on how to go about various parking is given.

If you fail this exam in RTA five times consecutively, you may need to go back to the internal testing at your driving school in order to proceed again.

If you pass this test, you go over to the road test. Below are the parking tests to expect:

• Parallel parking
• Slope and hill parking
• Emergency brake
• Garage parking (90 degree)
• Angle parking (60 degrees)

RTA driving road test

RTA road test is where you put all your knowledge of driving into practice. You will be tested in various ways including how you adhere to the traffic signs and rules. How you handle basic safety measures while driving will also be tested.

You need to be confident while going for the road test so as not to make mistakes. This test is usually the last form of assessments before getting your licence. So, be confident and focused to make the best out of it. It takes roughly between 10 and 13 minutes to complete it.

For all the RTA tests, you always need to go along with your Emirates ID or as instructed. Any other information relating to the road test would be communicated to you prior to the day including the road test fee.

RTA eye test

Prior to getting your driving license in Dubai RTA requires you to go for an optical examination. This is carried out to ensure you are optically fit to drive around.

You may need to go to an RTA approved medical centre or have an eye specialist come to the training centre for the examination. Whichever way, the driving school usually helps to sort it out.

Final steps to getting your Dubai driving license

Once you pass the final RTA test, you will be given a paper of approval which will allow you to proceed with getting your license.

Next, you take along your requested form of identification, your approval paper and your driving license fee and submit it at the pass counter located at the institute. You will also need to submit your driving file records which you opened at the onset at the control centre. Then you take a photo to be used on your Dubai drivers license.

After all these, you receive your driving license. The steps above may vary a little depending on your training centre but this is basically the final step.

RTA Dubai driving license renewal

Your UAE driving license needs to be renewed regularly. The expiration date is mentioned on your license. The Dubai driving license lasts for 10 years for the UAE nationals and 5 years for expats. This validity period also applies to those who converted their foreign licenses. Renewal can be initiated online several months before the expiry date. It is essential to renew on time, as fines are incurred if you exceed the grace period.

There are a couple of ways to renew your drivers license in UAE.

Through the RTA website

Here are the steps to renew your UAE driving license online:

1. Visit the RTA website at www.rta.ae
2. On the home page click on “services” on the listed options
3. From the dropdown options click on “drivers and car owners’ service” or any of the options that concern you