In Dubai, driving licences are issued by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Everyone trains with an RTA-approved driving institute and passes three tests. Here is the process step by step.
Who can apply
- Citizens and residents with a valid Emirates ID who are medically fit.
- Since 29 March 2025 (Federal Decree-Law 14 of 2024) the UAE minimum age for a light vehicle licence is 17. Some older government service pages still say 18, so the RTA or your institute will confirm the exact step at which your licence can be issued.
The steps
- Apply online with the RTA (website or app), verify your phone, and choose a driving institute.
- Pay: the full package, a 20% initial payment, or at the institute.
- The institute calls you within 3 working days to agree on a training package.
- You receive a digital learning permit by SMS and email, and start training.
- Take an eye test at an accredited eye test centre (valid for 3 years).
- After each stage of training, book and pass the knowledge test, the yard test and the road test.
- After the final test you get an SMS to pay the licence fee, then a digital licence. Collect the card from a self-service machine or have it delivered.
If you do not take an official test within 6 months of your last scheduled appointment, your file is suspended, so keep going once you start.
RTA fees (checked October 2026)
- Learning permit (light vehicle): AED 100
- Traffic file: AED 200
- Electronic eye test: AED 140 to 180
- Driver's handbook: AED 50
- Knowledge and innovation fee: AED 20 (added to most services)
- New driving licence: AED 100 under 21, AED 300 from 21
- Card delivery: from AED 20
- Training at the driving institute is priced by the institute, and is the largest cost.
Golden chance
If you hold a driving licence from a country whose licence cannot be exchanged in the UAE, you may get a golden chance: take the knowledge and road tests once, without training hours. If you fail the road test, you must take training before trying again.
Preparing for the knowledge test
The knowledge test is based on the RTA's Light Motor Vehicle driver's handbook: road signs, rules, traffic offences and black points. The RTA does not publish the number of questions or the pass mark, so ask your institute. Read how to pass the RTA theory test and practise with free Dubai mock tests.
Checked against official sources on 17 October 2026.