Getting a Dubai Driving Licence (RTA)

Who runs this process

Before you start

• You are at least 18 years old for a car or light vehicle (17 for motorcycles, 20 for heavy vehicles, 21 for buses)
• You hold a valid Emirates ID and passport
• Any outstanding traffic fines are settled before the licence is issued
• A 'No Objection' letter from your sponsor if the traffic department requests one

The journey

Each step is marked by who acts: YouEmployerYou + employer

1. 1
   YouRTA-accredited driving institute

   Register with an accredited institute and open a traffic file

   New learners apply through an RTA-accredited driving institute, not the RTA directly

   To learn to drive you open a traffic file at one of the registered driving institutes in Dubai. You bring a copy of your passport, your Emirates ID, two photographs, an eye test report, and, if the traffic department requests it, a 'No Objection' letter from your sponsor. The institute registers you with the RTA and your file is created. The minimum age is 18 for a car or light vehicle.

   You get

   An open RTA traffic file and a training plan at the institute

   Typical time

   same day to a few days (indicative, confirm on the portal)

   Fee

   Fee varies, confirm at the official portal · paid by you (Institutes charge registration and file-opening fees that vary by institute and package; confirm the current amount with your chosen institute)

   Watch out for

   • Assuming you can apply straight to the RTA as a new learner: the file and training run through an accredited institute
   • Unpaid traffic fines: settle them, because outstanding fines block the licence at issuance

   Licence Exchange: If you hold a valid licence from an approved country you still open a file, but you skip the theory and road tests. You must be at least 18. See the list of eligible countries.

   Motorcycle: The minimum age is 17 for motorcycles and for vehicles for people with special needs.

   Heavy Or Bus: The minimum age is 20 for heavy vehicles and tractors, and 21 for buses.

   Full guide: Register with an accredited institute and open a traffic file

2. 2
   YouApproved eye test centre

   Take an eye test at an approved centre

   Any optical centre approved by the traffic department

   You complete an eye test at any centre approved by the traffic department. The eye test report is one of the documents needed to open or complete your traffic file, and it confirms you meet the vision standard to drive. Many institutes and typing centres have an approved optician on site.

   You get

   An eye test report accepted by the RTA

   Typical time

   same day (indicative, confirm on the portal)

   Fee

   Fee varies, confirm at the official portal · paid by you (Eye test centres charge a small fee that varies by centre; confirm locally)

   Watch out for

   • Using a non-approved optician: only reports from traffic-department-approved centres are accepted

   Licence Exchange: The eye test is still required for a licence exchange, even though the tests are waived.

   Full guide: Take an eye test at an approved centre

3. 3
   YouDriving institute / RTA

   Complete theory classes and pass the RTA theory test

   Delivered by the institute; the test is set by the RTA

   You attend the required theory (knowledge) classes at your institute covering road rules, signs, and safe driving, then sit the RTA theory test on a computer. Passing the theory test is a condition before you can move on to the road test. If you do not pass, you re-book and sit it again.

   You get

   A passed RTA theory (knowledge) test

   Typical time

   a few sessions, then the test (indicative, confirm on the portal)

   Fee

   Fee varies, confirm at the official portal · paid by you (Theory classes and each test attempt carry fees set by the institute and RTA; confirm current amounts)

   Watch out for

   • Skipping the classes and relying on memory: the RTA sets the theory syllabus and pass mark, and a fail means re-booking and re-paying

   Licence Exchange: Not required. Approved-country licence holders are exempt from the theory test.

   Full guide: Complete theory classes and pass the RTA theory test

4. 4
   YouRTA-accredited driving institute

   Complete practical driving training and the internal assessments

   Behind-the-wheel lessons at your institute

   You take the behind-the-wheel driving lessons at your institute, then pass the institute's internal assessments, including a yard or parking test that covers manoeuvres such as parallel and garage parking. The institute clears you for the RTA road test only once you pass these internal checks. The number of lessons depends on your experience.

   You get

   Institute clearance to book the RTA road test

   Typical time

   several weeks of lessons (indicative, confirm on the portal)

   Fee

   Fee varies, confirm at the official portal · paid by you (Driving lessons are charged per hour by the institute and are the largest part of the total cost; confirm the current rate and package)

   Watch out for

   • Under-booking lessons to save money: too few can mean failing the road test and paying for more attempts anyway

   Licence Exchange: Not required. Approved-country licence holders skip the lessons and the road test.

   Full guide: Complete practical driving training and the internal assessments

5. 5
   AuthorityRTA

   Pass the RTA road test

   Conducted by an RTA examiner

   The final road test is conducted by an RTA examiner on public roads. You are assessed on control, observation, lane discipline, and following the rules of the road. Pass it and your licence is approved for issue. If you do not pass, the institute schedules further training before you re-book.

   You get

   A passed RTA road test and approval to issue the licence

   Typical time

   one test slot, plus any re-attempts (indicative, confirm on the portal)

   Fee

   Fee varies, confirm at the official portal · paid by you (Each road test attempt carries an RTA fee; confirm the current amount)

   Watch out for

   • Common avoidable faults fail more candidates than nerves: see the guide on why people fail the RTA road test

   Licence Exchange: Not required. Approved-country licence holders are exempt from the road test.

   Full guide: Pass the RTA road test

6. 6
   YouRTA Dubai (app / self-service)

   Settle any fines and collect your licence

   Issued by the RTA once tests are passed and fines cleared

   With the tests passed, you settle any outstanding traffic fines and the RTA issues your Dubai driving licence. You can receive it as a digital driving licence through the RTA Dubai app and add it to your phone wallet, or collect a physical card. A new licence is valid for 1 year if you are under 21, and 2 years if you are 21 or older.

   You get

   A valid Dubai driving licence

   Typical time

   same day once tests are cleared (indicative, confirm on the portal)

   Fee

   Fee varies, confirm at the official portal · paid by you (The RTA charges a licence issuance fee; confirm the current amount. Any traffic fines must be paid first)

   Deadline

   A new driving licence is valid for 1 year for those under 21 and 2 years for those 21 or older, after which it is renewed.

   Watch out for

   • Forgetting the fines: unpaid traffic fines hold up the licence at the issuance stage

   Licence Exchange: For an exchange, the licence is issued once the file and eye test are done and fines are cleared, with no theory or road test.

   Full guide: Settle any fines and collect your licence

Documents checklist

Where this goes wrong

What comes next

• Buy a used car and transfer ownership at the RTA
• Register your car and renew the Mulkiya
• The RTA vehicle inspection (Tasjeel), step by step