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Are you planning to get or renew your driving license in Abu Dhabi? Here’s your complete guide with updated information. A driving license simplifies your travel and commute in Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a whole. Owning a vehicle helps you save more time by traveling more conveniently than depending on public transportation, but only if you have a valid driving license.

Applying for a driving license or renewing one after it expires in Abu Dhabi only requires a few easy steps. Before we go ahead and tell you in detail about it, let us also tell you that motor insurance in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, etc. is equally important. People who are on the hunt for car insurance in Dubai or in any other Emirate can visit policyhouse.com to choose the best deal. Now let’s dive deeper into the complete guide for driving license in Abu Dhabi.

Eligibility Criteria for Getting a New Driving License

You should be aware of the minimum age for applying for a driving license according to the type of vehicle you have chosen, in addition to the appropriate medical fitness.

Age-specific eligibility criteria are listed:

Cars & light vehicles: 18 years

Motorcycles and other transportation for people with special requirements: 17 years

Tractors and other heavy vehicles: 20 years

Bus: 21 years

Driving License Applying Categories

There are two categories for applying in Abu Dhabi: Emiratis and ex-pats applying for the first time, and ex-pats with a license from another nation.

The Abu Dhabi government allows residents of certain nations to transfer their foreign driving licenses to Abu Dhabi; the procedure is easier than that for first-time applicants. You won't have to reapply for a license if you have a valid driving license from one of the following nations: GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries, Austria, Australia, Denmark, Canada, Belgium, Ireland, Germany, France, Greece, Finland, Romania, Portugal, Japan, New Zealand, the Netherlands, the USA, the UK, Spain, Turkey, Switzerland, South Korea, Sweden, Norway, South Africa, Poland, and Italy.

The first step in having your driving license converted is to take your license information to any translation center and have it translated into Arabic. After completing this step, you can go to the official road and transport authority with all the required documentation to attend the eye test. Your driving license will be provided by the concerned authority as soon as all the procedures are completed successfully.

Important Documents Required for a Driving License 

You must provide the following documents as part of your verification process to get your driving license:

1. Passport-size photographs

2. Emirates ID (original)

3. A valid passport with a copy

4. Copies of documents regarding your Abu Dhabi residency (must have a minimum validity of six months)

5. Driving license with a copy

6. No-objection certificate (from the employer or visa provider)

7. Arabic-translated foreign driving license (original)

Steps to Get a Driving License for First-Time Applicants

1. The applicant must first complete the necessary driving lessons and training.

2. Opening a driving file in your name with the Emirates Driving Company is required to begin the training. For the training, a cost of AED 830 will be charged.

3. You must take a theory test to receive a learner's permit. The following level entails an internal examination, often known as the "yard parking test."

4. A road test will thereafter be performed.

You will receive a driving license if you have passed all of these tests.

Required Documents During Training at Emirates Driving Company

UAE nationals need only present their Emirates ID to start the training session. On the other hand, UAE ex-pats must provide the following documents:

1. Emirates ID (original and copy)

2. Passport and visa page (copy)

3. Result of an eye test

4. Passport-size photographs

5. No-objection certificate from your visa sponsor

About the Driving License Theory Test

The driving license theory test will be conducted only after the successful completion of all your training.

The test has a total of 35 questions.

All questions are about driving laws in Abu Dhabi.

The test is subdivided into three main portions.

You must correctly answer at least 11 of the first 17 questions about traffic scenarios.

The following 18 questions pertain to the driving license of Abu Dhabi; to pass this section, you must give 12 correct answers.

The final section is about situational risks; the test is situation-based, therefore, once a video is shown, you will need to submit the solutions for a specific issue.

The test is available in Arabic or English (written). You have an option for the oral test if you are unable to take the written test because of language barriers.

The fee for the test is AED 50.

Practical Test for a Driving License

After passing the theory test, you move on to the next step of the parking and road test, in which you must prove your driving skills within a limited time. You should have the "Certificate of Readiness" allowed by your instructor to be qualified for both practical tests. You should provide the essential documents of a driving file, passport-size photographs, and a valid Emirates ID once you get the allotted time and venue.

How to Renew Your Driving License

Every driving license holder is required to renew their license on a regular basis.

A person under the age of 21 must show their original Emirates ID, and those aged 21 and above must have their eye test result and a valid Emirates ID to renew their driving license.

Every ten years, UAE nationals and GCC citizens must renew their licenses. UAE ex-pats, on the other hand, must follow the same procedure after a 5-year break.

The completion of the renewal process online is possible in Abu Dhabi.

Pay off all the traffic fines before renewing your driving license.

A fine of AED 10 will be applied on a monthly basis if you fail to renew for more than a month.

The Roads and Transport Authority charges AED 100 from individuals under 21 years of age and AED 300 from individuals aged 21 years or more whenever they renew their driving license.

3 Simple Ways to Renew Your Driving License 

• Apply through the official RTA website

• Apply through the mobile application

• Apply through one of its self-service machines

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Getting a driving license in Abu Dhabi is not a complicated task; all you require is that you adhere to all the rules and instructions. To avoid paying fines, you must carefully read all the terms and conditions and listen to the instructions provided by the transport authorities. Visit the official website of the Roads and Transport Authority to learn more.

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