Whether you’re new to Abu Dhabi, or are just getting round to getting on the road there are a few things you need to know before you can get your UAE driving licence.
The good news is that some international driving licences can be transferred however some additional steps including an eye test may be necessary.
In order to apply for your driving licence in Abu Dhabi you need to be over the age of 18 and have a valid residency visa. If you’re under 21 you will need proof of your parent’s permission however.
Ready to find out what the next steps are?
Here’s how you can get a UAE driving licence in 2021.
You have a licence from another country
The first thing you need to know is that if you’re a resident you can’t hit the roads with any licence other than an Abu Dhabi version.
If you’re visiting it is possible to use your international licence, you will need to consult the rental company you’re getting your vehicle from before hiring.
However, if you’re a resident and you have a licence from one of the countries below you’re in luck, as it’s a relatively simple process:
• GCC countries
• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Canada
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hong Kong
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• South Africa
• Spain
• South Korean
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Turkey
• UK
• USA
The driving licence must be valid or within one year of expiry and the applicant must be a citizen of the country where the licenec was registered.
If your country does not feature on the above list, you’ll need to follow the ‘No licence at all’ procedure by visit www.edcad.ae/Default.
More information on eligibility can also be found here.
If the licence you hold is from a country not featured on the above list, it is not eligible and that means that you will be required to sit and pass the theoretical and practical driving tests here in the UAE.
But, if you do have a licence from one of the countries featured on the list above, your licence can be easily transferred once you’re ready.
The next steps, translation and documentation
First you’ll have to get your printed driving license translated into Arabic.
You can do that at any official typing or translation centre in the city.
Before paying for translation services, make sure to research if the translation centre you visit is licensed and recognised by the Ministry of Interior. For more information visit www.moi.gov.ae/en/eservices/issuing.light.vehicle.dl.313.aspx.
The next step, once translation is completed, is to visit the Drivers and Vehicles Licensing Department with all of the following documents:
• A passport photo
• Original and one copy of your passport
• Emirates ID
• Original and one copy of your foreign driving licence
• One copy of your valid Abu Dhabi residency visa
• A letter of no objection from your current employer or your visa sponsor
• An Arabic translation of your existing licence (which can be obtained at any translation outlet).
When you visit the licencing centre, you will be sent to take an eye test in a nearby building.
If that’s successful you’ll pay Dhs100 before being sent to collect your Abu Dhabi licence.
The whole process (including eye test and translation fees) will cost around Dhs800.
Drivers and Vehicles Licensing Department, Mussafah CAD (800 3333).
What to do if you have no licence at all
If you’re starting from square one, you will need to obtain a learning permit before you can get your motoring career into first gear. To do this, you need will first need to sit a theory test.
The first step is to go to Emirates Driving Company (EDC) (www.edcad.ae) and open a driving file.
Documents required to open a traffic file inlcude:
- A copy of your passport and residence visa page
- A copy and original Emirates ID card
- Two photographs
- An eye test report
- No objection letter from your sponsor.
This will enable you to participate in theoretical courses and the test itself.
EDC administers courses on the eight units you need to pass before you can get your driving licence.
The eight lessons are:
Lesson one: Traffic rules, road markings and road signs
Lesson two: Inside city limits
Lesson three: Outside city limits
Lesson four: Driving under difficult conditions
Lesson five: Dealing with critical situations
Lesson six: Driving behaviour and road manners
Lesson seven: Vehicle knowledge
Lesson eight: Safety
Once the classes are complete – each over a two-hour period – trainees sit a theoretical test so they can apply for a learning permit.
After the learning permit is obtained, drivers can start putting their theory into practice by taking lessons.
The number of lessons is dependent on the driver’s capability but is generally 30 hours for complete beginners, 20 hours for intermediate learners or ten hours for more advanced driving students.
The lessons are conducted in a contained environment within a driving rink.
Once you are ready to take the practical test, administered by the Emirates Driving Company, your instructor will give you a “certificate of readiness”, which you must present to the Emirates Driving Company before you can book your practical test.
Once you pass your practical driving test on the roads you’ll get a certificate, then you can take that to the Drivers and Licensing Department in Mussafah as proof of your completion.
Once there, you’ll be able to get your licence as described in the previous sections above in this article.
Renewing a driver’s licence
There are different terms to renewing your UAE licence. UAE and GCC citizens can renew their licence every 10 years whereas for foreign expats the licence renewal term is five years and can be applied for online here
A one-year renewal costs Dhs100 and multi-year licence renewal will set you back Dhs300.
Drivers have a one month grace period to renew their licence. Failure to so do will lead to a Dhs10 fine every month the licence has not been updated.
Emirates Driving Company, Musaffah, www.edcad.com (02 551 1911).
