There’s no misery like the misery of public transport. Getting squashed into a stranger’s wet armpit on a crowded bus is not fun, nor is having your leg grabbed for support by a toddler with sticky hands. As for taxis, anyone who has waited around in the blazing hot sun for one to arrive while their shopping bag of groceries slowly spoils knows just how frustrating that option can be. The answer? You guessed it – get yourself a set of wheels. So here’s everything you need to know about getting yourself road-ready in the capital.
Already have a licence?
Do you already have a licence from your home country? If so, then you may have just saved yourself a considerable amount of time (and cash). Abu Dhabi recognises licences from multiple countries, including all GCC countries, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and the USA.
Already the lucky holder of an approved licence? All you need to do is head to the Traffic and Licensing Department of the Abu Dhabi Police, undergo an eye examination and present the required documents. Couldn’t be simpler.
Pro tip: If your driving licence is not on the approved list, you still may be able to skip the practical lessons once you’re done with the theoretical exams, but you’ll have to ask the driving school if your licence applies. If it does, we suggest you brush up on your driving skills anyway, perhaps using an independent driving instructor; the examination officers don’t look too kindly on people who fail their tests.
What you’ll need: Passport (original and copy – and you must have an Abu Dhabi residency visa in there), three passport photographs, your valid license (original and copy) as well as a legal translation of it (if not in Arabic), letter from your sponsor (who has to be Abu Dhabi-based), the result of your eye examination, and your blood type.
What it’ll cost: Dhs200
First steps
It all starts with a file. Before proceeding any further you need to notify the government of your intention to learn, and this is best done at the Emirates Driving Company. So head over there and fill in an application. Alternatively, you can open this file at the Traffic and Licensing Department of the General Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police. And while you’re getting all of this done, you’ll also need to sit for an eyesight examination, so might as well get that out of the way. A nice lady will ask you to read letters off a board with each eye individually, then flash some card with numbers you’ll need to identify. Easy stuff, if you’re not blind.
Pro tip: Eye examinations can be performed at many of the capital’s opticians, so consider doing this to save time. Vision Express even offer free eye tests, so pay a visit to their Al Wahda Mall branch.
Learn to drive
If you’re like any of the TOAD team, then your driving skills have no equal; fame, glory and fizzy drinks would be ours if we ever decided to grace the racing scene, something we’ve only refrained from because of good sportsmanship; no one else would stand a chance. Well, the driving school doesn’t care. No matter your level of skill, you’ll still need to take driving lessons, so you might as well swallow your pride and go for it.
You’ll need to take two courses, starting with the theoretical, which you’ll schedule as soon as you fill in your first form. There are a number of factors that decide what type of classes you’ll be taking, and how many of them you need. Your visa type will affect this (managers and engineers for instance get fewer classes) as will your skill in driving. The lessons cover everything from putting the key into the ignition, to parallel parking and understanding road signs and markings. Your lesson plan will also include gear-specific information, depending on whether you’re applying for manual or automatic licensing.
And then comes the test, and you shouldn’t take it lightly. Read the theory handbook from cover to cover. The theory test is a computer-based examination that consists of 45 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 30 minutes, and to pass you’ll need to get 36 or more correct answers. Be prepared, but don’t worry, we’ve heard of many people finishing in under 20 minutes.
Pro tip: Don’t try to cheat! Not only will it get you in trouble, the questions and answers are shuffled on each sheet.
What you’ll need: Passport (original and copy – and you must have an Abu Dhabi residency visa in there), two passport photographs, and a copy of your driver’s test appointment and training permit.
What it’ll cost: Cost of the theory classes will vary depending on what type of vehicle you plan on driving. The most common (light vehicles) will set you back Dhs830. The theoretical examination will cost an additional Dhs50.
Practise, practise, practise
Passed the theory test? Good, you’re almost there. While by this point you’ve certainly proven your ability to push buttons on a keyboard and read signs, you still haven’t driven a car.
The type and duration of the practical training will vary depending on your individual case and driving experience. The Emirates Driving Company calls this the PEP, or the Personal Education Plan. Beginners will get the full shebang, 42 practical lessons and six simulator lessons, while the advanced students will only get 12 practical lesson and two simulator lessons. In special circumstances, you may even be allowed to get away with just six lessons.
Many additional factors will determine how long this all takes, including scheduling conflicts and availability of instructors, but it’s not uncommon for experienced drivers to finish all their lessons in under three weeks. EDC will train you on their own premises, a custom built yard that covers all the practical aspects of real road driving, and lessons are almost always one-to-one with the instructor.
After all of that come the dreaded practical tests. The first of these will test some skills including your reverse parking abilities, and if you’re not a parallel parking wizard then we suggest you practise until you are. The second is the road test, and this is where you’ll be scrutinised the most. And because we love you, we’ve put together a few handy tips to help you through this difficult time (see page 19).
Tips for your road test:
1 Put your seat belt on as soon as you step into the car; starting the car without doing that will likely result in automatic flunking. Also take a moment to settle into the driving seat, and adjust the seat (if necessary) and the rear-view mirror. Even if your mirror doesn’t need adjusting, make it clear that you’ve checked that by fiddling with it for a second. And remember, keep both hands on the steering wheel if you’re driving an automatic, and always, always use your indicator lights before you change lanes.
2 Obey the traffic laws under all circumstances – you should know these from the theoretical training. It is the instructor’s job to scrutinise your knowledge of traffic laws under pressure, and some may ask you to increase the speed beyond the speed limit or overtake on a lane clearly marked against that. Explain that you’ve seen the speed limit sign and refuse to break it.
3 Be aware of your surroundings, and show it! Let the instructor note that you’re glancing at your rear-view every so often, and don’t you dare get distracted by some obscure flora or fauna.
4 Don’t panic. A true driver’s mettle shows only in moments of extreme stress, so the tense atmosphere in the testing car is actually good for you. Remain alert, remain confident, follow the rules and you’ll do just fine.
What you’ll need: A copy of your driving test file with preliminary course recommendation, a valid Emirates Driving Company ID number.
What it’ll cost: The total cost will depend on your personalised plan. The school charges Dhs2,250 for the beginner’s course, Dhs1,750 for intermediate, Dhs1,450 for the upper intermediate, and Dhs650 for the advanced course. Depending on your plan you may also be required to pay other fees, including Dhs50 for a personal evaluation, Dhs200 for the intensive practical booking service, Dhs50 for testing (per test) and Dhs50 for additional practice classes.
The licence at last
You’re done! It’s finished! One more hoop to jump through and you’ll have a shiny new permit to the open road. So hold your head high, and walk up to the counter for the last time.
What you’ll need: Passport (original and copy), three passport photographs, eye sight examination (original and copy), blood type and passing certificate (original and copy).
What it’ll cost: Dhs200
Places you need to know
Emirates Driving Company
Musaffah, Industrial Area. Administration open Sun-Thu 7.30am-3.30pm, theory section open Sat-Thu 6.45am-10.45pm, practical section open Sat-Thu 24 hours a day, evaluation section open Sat-Thu 7am-3pm, customer service open Sat-Thu 7am-11pm, (02 551 1911) www.edcad.ae.
General Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police
Al Saada Street. Offices open Sun-Thu 7am-3pm, open to the public Sun-Thu 7am-3pm, 4pm-9pm, police centre open 24 hours a day. (02 446 1461 or 999 for emergencies). Traffic and Licensing Department (02 419 5555).
Getting a used car online
Looking to buy a second-hand car? Here are some tips from our friends at Dubizzle.
‘The UAE’s second-hand car market has to be one of the best in the world, both in terms of quality of choice as well as price. We at Dubizzle are doing our best to not only provide a platform for sellers to list their cars, but to give buyers the tools they need to find what they want quickly so that they can get cruising right away.’
– Sim Whatley, co-founder at Dubizzle
1 Get familiar with the website’s search criteria. There are often multiple ways to find a product or service on a classifieds site, so spend a few extra minutes understanding the search feature. In addition to price and brand, Dubizzle’s advanced search feature lets you filter results by fuel type, horsepower and a host of other technical features. The more time spent searching, the better the chances of finding exactly what is right for you.
2 Go on, haggle. Many sellers will have allowed for bargaining room when they set the price, especially in this part of the world where negotiation is a customary part of trade. Check for exactly what’s included in the price and ensure that the seller includes any work that they have agreed to do before the handover.
3 Keep the personal information personal. Never offer information such as credit card numbers to someone you don’t know, and never agree to send passport or legal ID information. You can always refer to the website’s privacy policy, and if there isn’t one posted on the site, you should probably take your business elsewhere.
4 Collect the right paperwork. You may not be signing any contracts, but request things like warranties, instructions and service slips when making an important transaction. As the new owner, draft a list of what you need ahead of time and get as much history about the item as possible.
You can always consult with the UAE’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) for additional information.
