Navigating the bustling streets and vast highways of the UAE requires more than just a sense of direction; it demands a valid UAE driving license. Acquiring this essential document efficiently is a top priority for many expatriates and residents.
You might have already heard that obtaining a driving license in the UAE isn’t a walk in the park. However, if you do things absolutely right, you can get your driver’s license quickly. To help streamline the process, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide with the top 10 tips for obtaining a UAE driving license swiftly.
Choose The Right Driving School
The first step on your journey to obtaining a UAE driving license is selecting the right driving school. Extensive research is crucial to find an institution that suits your needs. Look for schools with positive reviews, experienced instructors, and a reputation for providing comprehensive training.
If you are in a hurry to complete your driving training sessions quickly and get your license as soon as possible, here’s a tip: opt for a driving school that isn’t very popular or is located in a less crowded area. The number of applicants is bound to be lower, therefore leading to lower waiting periods between sessions and tests.
Master The Theory
Invest time in thoroughly studying the UAE traffic rules and regulations. All driving schools provide theory classes to help you understand the rules and regulations of driving in the country.
By mastering the theory, you not only increase your chances of passing the theory test on the first attempt but also make way for quicker progression through the following practical tests. It also helps to know your car well. Here’s a list of the seven most common car alerts faced in the UAE.
Schedule Your Tests Strategically
To expedite the licensing process, strategically schedule your practical tests. Once you’ve successfully passed the theory test, and trained for the initial assessment, promptly schedule your practical test. Avoid unnecessary gaps between tests to maintain the momentum of your training and increase the likelihood of a swift licensing process.
Ace Your Lines For The Parking Test
The five parts of the parking test in the UAE are all about memorising your visual clues and lines while also understanding the exact dimensions and size of the car you’re driving. Keep the speed to a minimum, avoid dry steering, and make the right amount of steering inputs at exactly the right time. Did you know? Cars with ADAS can automatically park themselves.
Tips For The Final Road Test:
Passing the final road test for your UAE driving license can be a nerve-wracking experience, but with the right mindset and preparation, you can increase your chances of success on your first attempt. Here are some crucial pointers to help you navigate through the test smoothly:
Stay Calm & Relaxed
One of the keys to acing your road test is to remain calm and relaxed. Anxiety can cloud your judgment and hinder your performance. Take a deep breath, focus on the task at hand, and remember that you’ve prepared for this moment.
Adjust The Seats & Mirrors Correctly
Before hitting the road, ensure that your driving environment is comfortable and allows good visibility. Adjust your seat, mirrors, and steering wheel to the correct positions to guarantee optimal control and awareness. Always wear your seatbelt and make sure everyone in the car is buckled up as well.
Always Look In The Mirrors
Constant vigilance is crucial during the road test. Make it a habit to check your mirrors before starting the car, changing lanes, or braking. This not only demonstrates attentiveness but also enhances overall safety on the road.
Never Lower The Speed Or Stop Unnecessarily
Maintain a smooth and consistent speed throughout the test. Abrupt stops or unnecessary slowdowns can be perceived by the examiner as indecisiveness or lack of control. Be mindful of the flow of traffic and adjust your speed accordingly. Know the speed limit for the road you are driving on and stick to it. Do not drive too slow or too fast.
Maintain A Safe Distance From The Car Ahead
Keep a safe following distance to the vehicle in front of you. This not only ensures your safety but also showcases your understanding of road etiquette and helps avoid potential accidents. Here’s a tip: You should at all times be able to see the rear tyres of the vehicle ahead of you and the road underneath it. If you aren’t able to see this, you are too close to the car in front.
Follow Lane Discipline & Roundabout Transition Rules
Adhering to lane discipline and correctly navigating roundabouts is essential. Signal your intentions, merge into lanes cautiously, and yield the right of way as required. Remember, the vehicles on your lane approaching from the left side of the roundabout always have the right of way.
Use Hazard Lights Wherever Necessary
In situations where you need to alert other drivers to potential hazards or emergencies, use your hazard lights judiciously. This demonstrates your awareness and consideration for others on the road.
Use hazard lights when suddenly and rapidly slowing down from high speeds because of traffic in front of you and when you’ve stopped for pedestrians to cross. If you want to know what ‘Hazard Lights’ mean or want to know more about automotive terms, read our beginner’s guide to automotive terms.
Always Give Way To Pedestrians
Pedestrians have the right of way at designated crossings. Be sure to stop and allow them to cross safely, showcasing your commitment to pedestrian safety.
Beware of Blind Spots & Perform Head-Checks
Blind spots can be a source of potential danger. Regularly check your blind spots and perform head checks when changing lanes or making turns to ensure a comprehensive awareness of your surroundings.
Park The Car Properly At The End Of The Test
Completing the road test successfully includes parking the vehicle properly at the designated spot. Take your time, use your mirrors effectively, and align the car accurately within the parking space.
What Happens If You Fail A Test?
Motorists in the UAE are among the most disciplined in the world. This is because the driving license testing procedure is very stringent and you get through only if you drive well. Hence, failing one or more driving tests is quite common and shouldn’t be taken to heart. Here’s what you can do in case of a failure.
- Theory Test Failure: Pay the required fees and reschedule the test
- Parking Test Failure: There are five sub-tests of the parking test. You only have to retake the one that you failed in.
- Road Test Failure: Pay the required fees and reschedule your test.
Top Tip: If you end up failing a test, do pay the extra fee required and schedule extra practice sessions as this will help you get through it the second time around.
Exemptions From The Driving License Process In The UAE
- Individuals with a valid GCC license do not need to take any training classes and can directly apply for RTA Theory, Parking, and Final tests.
- Pilots & cabin crew personnel of Emirates Airlines and FlyDubai can directly apply for the RTA Road Test with a valid license from their home country.
- Licenses issued by all European countries, USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Israel, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa to their respective nationals can all be converted to a UAE driving license.
How Much Does It Cost To Get A Driving License In The UAE?
Getting a driving license in the UAE can possibly be an expensive affair. The amount you spend on getting a driving license is directly dependent on how quickly you go through the process. The longer you take, the more expensive it becomes.
Prices For Driving Classes:
- Galadari Motor Driving Centre: AED 110 to AED 150 per hour
- Emirates Driving Institute: AED 120 to AED 210 per hour
- Excellence Driving: AED 80 to AED 120
- EcoDrive: AED 70 to AED 110
Number of classes needed for your driving license:
- Residents applying for a fresh license or holding a home-country driving license under 2 years old: 20 Hours
- Residents with a home-country driving license between 2-5 years old: 15 hours
- Residents with a home-country license over 5 years old: 10 hours
Additional fees to get your driving license:
- Opening a file: AED 675 to AED 769
- Eye test: AED 140 to AED 145
- Evaluation test (only for those who have another country’s license): AED 210
- Simulator training: AED 100
- Initial assessment test: AED 105 to AED 250
- Smart Yard assessment test: AED 130
- RTA Smart Yard test: AED 293.5
- RTA Road Test: AED 293.5
- RTA Re-Test: AED 293.5
- Issuing a driving license for one year: AED 120
- Issuing a driving license for one year: AED 320
- Renewing a learning permit: AED 140
Acquiring a UAE driving license is a significant milestone for residents and expatriates. By following these top tips to get your UAE driving license, you can expedite the process and hit the road with confidence. Good luck on your journey towards obtaining your driving license! Once you’ve received your driving license, you might want to head out to the top 10 roadtrip destinations in the UAE.
Want to buy a car after getting your driving license? DubiCars is all you need. Check out new cars for sale in the UAE and used cars for sale in the UAE.
Also Read:
– Kaiyi X7 Review — Premium Chinese SUV At An Affordable Price
– Jetour T2 Off-Road SUV Launched In The UAE
– Toyota Supra History & Generations
