Abu Dhabi Driving License Guide – Requirements, Test & Fees

Many people in Abu Dhabi prefer driving their private vehicles; however, it is impossible without a driving license. Getting Abu Dhabi driving license is quite difficult, especially if you are a new driver or have recently moved to the city.

Generally, you must take driving lessons and complete vision and RTA tests to get an Abu Dhabi driving license. Similarly, submit all of the required documents and pay the fees. Knowing the age criteria for the vehicle you want to issue a license on is essential.

In this Dbd guide, you will learn all the necessary processes to get driving license in Abu Dhabi. So keep reading on till the end.

How to get a driving license in Abu Dhabi?

You can quickly obtain an Abu Dhabi driving license by following the process mentioned below.

1. Open a traffic file

To get a driver’s license in the UAE, you must open a traffic file at an RTA-based driving institution. You must submit documents such as your passport, Emirates ID, and UAE residency visa.

Additionally, you will also need to provide two photographs, a NOC letter from your sponsor, and your recent eye test report. Once the RTA authority has verified your documents, you can take the driving test and obtain your license.

2. Vision test

You need to go to an approved eye test center and take an eye test before you can take a driving lesson or test. The test will only take 5-6 minutes. You may have to pay between 100 AED and 200 AED to take the test. Some of the best eye test centers in Abu Dhabi are Yateem Opticians, Al Jaber optical, and Vision express.

3. Take driving classes

To get a driver’s license in Abu Dhabi, you must complete both theory and practical lessons. In theory classes, you will learn about the rules of the road, traffic signs, driving behavior, speed limits, road manners, and more. Not only will you learn how to handle crises and driving in harsh weather, but you will also study the science behind car accidents and how to keep passengers secure.

In practical classes, you will learn how to drive for 30 hours. However, you will only need 20 hours of driving lessons if you already know how to drive.

4. Complete parking and RTA tests

After you have completed all your required driving lessons and classes, you will need to take a series of theory, practical, and parking tests. Once you have passed those practice tests, the driving instructor will allow you to take the official RTA road test. The road test is the final step in getting your driver’s license.

5. RTA road test

The UAE government prioritizes traffic safety and only issues the most qualified and safe driver’s licenses. After a full assessment by RTA, you can apply for and receive your license from RTA Abu Dhabi after passing the RTA Road test.

Convert International driving license to Abu Dhabi driving license

If you have a driving license from a country that the UAE government approves, then it will be easy to convert your license to an Abu Dhabi driving license. You need to follow some simple steps.

• Submit original and photocopy of your passport, visa, current license, Emirates ID, and Abu Dhabi residency.
• Submit one passport-size photo.
• NOC certificate from your sponsor or your employment office.
• Legal translation of your current license to Arabic.
• Latest eye test result.
• AED 250 for processing your license.

Likewise, the countries that are approved are Germany, Italy, Belgium, Greece, Poland, France, Denmark, Australia, South Korea, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Kuwait, Bahrain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, UK, Portugal, Austria, Turkey, America, Finland Romania, South Africa Oman, New Zealand, Spain, Canadia, Qatar, and Ireland.

How to check driving license status in Abu Dhabi?

It is essential for driving license holders to renew their licenses regularly. In the UAE, drivers have 30 days to renew their licenses without getting fined. If they don’t renew it within that time, they will be charged AED 10 monthly. However, if they take even more time to renew their licenses, they will have to pay AED 500.

Therefore, it is essential for all drivers to keep track of when their license is due for renewal and to make sure that they renew them on time. By doing so, they can avoid incurring unnecessary fees and penalties.

You can check your license status by following the simple process below. ^[1]Road and Transport Authority, “License Renewal Fine, https://www.rta.ae/wps/portal/rta/ae/home/rta-services/service-details?serviceId=3704299″

Step1: Visit the Emirates Vehicle Gate website or evg.ae

Step2: Enter your login ID and password to access your ID.

Step3: Enter your driving license number.

Step 4: Check your license status

Now, you can check the validity of your driver’s license and the black points you have received, with the fines you need to pay.

It is essential to keep your driver’s license up to date, so make sure you follow the procedure we outlined.

Eligibility age requirements of Abu Dhabi driving license

Before applying, you must be eligible to receive your own Abu Dhabi driving license. You must be over a certain age to be allowed to drive. ^[2]UAE Government, “Eligibility Age, … Continue reading

• The age requirement for motorcycle license holders is at least 17 years.
• The age requirement for car or light vehicle license holders is at least 18.
• The age requirement for heavy vehicle license holders is at least 20 years.
• The age requirement for bus license holders is at least 21 years old.

Required documents

You must submit the proper documents while applying for an Abu Dhabi driver’s license. You only need to submit your Emirates ID card if you are a local applicant.

However, If you are a foreigner living in Abu Dhabi, you must submit the following documents: ^[3]UAE, “Required documents, … Continue reading

1. Original and copy of Emirates ID.
2. Copy of your passport and visa page.
3. Your latest eye test report.
4. Two passport-size photos.
5. Permission letter from the sponsor if necessary.

Tests required for Abu Dhabi driving license

There are several courses or tests you have to complete or pass to get a driving license in Abu Dhabi. Let’s get into it.

1. Theory test

Applicants must take theory classes and give theory tests before taking practical assessment exams.

The Abu Dhabi driving theory test has 35 questions that measure your understanding of the laws related to driving in the country.

• You need to get 11 or more questions right to pass the first part of the test, which is about traffic regulations.
• Next, there are 18 questions about Abu Dhabi driving license specifics. You need to answer 12 of them correctly to pass.
• Another section is the risk recognition section, where you will watch videos of different environmental conditions you will face and then present your proper solution.

You have to choose between writing in Arabic or English. If you are not comfortable writing in either language, you can choose to take an oral test.

Here are some tips to help you pass your theory test:

1. First, make sure you study the material or handbook thoroughly.
2. Give online practice exams to prepare.
3. Revise all traffic and road signs that are important.

2. Practical driving classes

After completing the theory test, you are eligible to take the practical driving test in Abu Dhabi. However, before taking the practical test, you must take mandatory practical driving classes. The number of lessons required depends on whether your international driving license is suspended or expired.

• If you don’t have a driver’s license, you must take 40 practical classes.
• If the person is driving in different countries for 2 to 5 years, they have to take 30 classes in Dubai that are practical.
• Similarly, you must take 20 classes if you have had a Dubai license for more than five years.

These practical driving and parking simulators are conducted in the driving rink, which is mainly suitable for first-timers. Besides, you will have to complete an internal parking test if you are confident. Once you complete the parking test, you will be approved by the instructor to take your RTA test.

Related info: Check out the Best Driving Schools in Abu Dhabi.

3. Practical or RTA test

To obtain a driving license in Dubai, applicants must pass an official RTA test under the supervision of an instructor from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

After completing your practical driving classes, your instructor will give you a certificate of readiness, which is the permit to register for your practical test.

You will give your practical exam under the observation of the examiner. In this test, the examiner will look for your ability to control the car, use signals, yield, change lanes safely, back up, park, and follow directions. This test will take 10-12 minutes, and you will receive the result immediately after you complete the test.

If you don’t pass the RTA test, you must take seven more hours of training. If you do pass, you will be able to get your own driving license. Furthermore, you will need to go to the Pass counter, show your ID, and pay the required fees when you pass.

Once you take your photo, it will take about 15 minutes for your Abu Dhabi driving license to be ready.

Here are some tips to help you pass your practical test:

1. Dress sensibly.
2. Avoid using sunglasses.
3. Put on the seat belt and adjust the seats and mirrors.
4. Check on gear and handbrakes before starting.
5. Drive at the speed limit.
6. Be wary of traffic signs.
7. Check lanes with mirrors.
8. Use indicators before turning.
9. Avoid unnecessary brakes.
10. Park in the instructed spot.

Fees for Abu Dhabi driving license

Like in other countries, you have to pay specific fees to apply for or get a hand on your Abu Dhabi driving license. For the applicants who already have licenses from other approved countries, you can convert their international license to an Abu Dhabi driving license by paying AED 250.

However, first-time applicants must take part in driving classes and eventually have to pay fees for those classes. There are different driving schools in Abu Dhabi, and generally, the cost or fees differ from AED 4500 to AED 7000.

Apart from paying for driving school fees, you have to pay certain fees for other things like:

• Opening new traffic file – AED 200
• Issuing new driving license – AED 300 with more than one-year validity and AED 100 for one-year validity.

Related Info

• If you want to learn how to renew your license in Abu Dhabi, check out our guide on – Abu Dhabi Driving License Renewal.
• Check out this guide on – car registration in Abu Dhabi if you want to learn how.
• Or, if you want to be familiar with the licensing process in Dubai, check out the Dubai driving license guide.
• Learn how to apply for an international driving license in Dubai.
• This guide will teach you how to check black points on license in Dubai.

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FAQs

Final thoughts

To get your own Abu Dhabi driving license, you need to know all the traffic regulations. It is very important to avoid shortcuts and pay attention to your driving lessons, especially if you are a first-time driver.

A driver’s license is not just a permit to drive a car. Its main purpose is to help prevent traffic accidents. These accidents can cause loss of life or damage property.

We hope our guide on Abu Dhabi license has helped you to feel confident about applying for a driving license. Please share this guide with your friends and family who might need help with the process.