All you need to know about RTA’s Smart Services
It’s no surprise that Dubai has become known for its modernity. The government and the private sector have come together to embrace technological advancement and use modern-day tools to make life easier for Dubai residents. In industries like real estate, healthcare, environment, logistics and government procedures, the creative utilisation of technology has been remarkable. The emirate’s transportation sector is no exception, with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) embracing state-of-the-art technology across all their many operations. In this article, we profile all the RTA’s smart services and how they help make things smoother for Dubai’s eclectic populace.
ABOUT RTA
To locals, expats, residents and tourists, Dubai’s RTA offers a variety of smart services that they can utilise to make daily commutes easier. Interestingly, these services are not limited to travelling on roads, but also offer access to other modes of transport including boats.
RTA has managed to completely transform customer services and uses smart technology to develop easy-to-use products and processes. These services continue to effectively serve the people and have helped Dubai in becoming the world’s smartest city in terms of roads and transport systems.
RTA APPS
The following six RTA apps are available on multiple platforms including Google Play Store and Apple Store.
RTA DUBAI
RTA Dubai is an interactive mobile-based application that can assist you as your guide in Dubai. It offers a variety of services designed to help passengers and drivers by specifying points of interest such as service centres, parking areas, metro and bus stations and taxi booking services. The following are the features RTA Dubai offers.
- Personalized dashboard providing users with a complete view of their profile along with important emergency numbers, government services and weather conditions for safe driving
- Parking services allow users to pay parking fees and remember their parked locations
- Fine inquiry and payment
- Nol balance inquiry, top-up and view past transactions
- Salik balance inquiry and top up
- Taxi booking service
- RTA theory test practice for drivers
- Highlighting of hundreds of points of interest across Dubai
- Information regarding RTA services for disabled
- Madinati service offering users to report any violations or defects in roads or hurdles in transportation services offered by the RTA
- RTA’s directory of services and locations
- Green points calculator that calculates savings in time, CO2 emissions and the costs saved by taking public transportation.
S’HAIL
The S’hail app allows people to use Dubai’s public transportation and other transportation options to save time. The app offers the following features.
- Inquiry about or top-up of NOL Card balance
- Booking a taxi or on-demand transportation
- Application for personalised NOL Cards
- Plan intercity trips
- Provides information about public transport such as Dubai Metro, tram and buses
- Offers traffic updates to easily navigate the city
DUBAI DRIVE
One of the best apps for drivers in Dubai, it allows drivers to view registration cards, licenses and more. Here are some of its features that you can use.
- Access to a digital version of users valid driving license, vehicle registration cards and distinguished plate number certificates
- Parking services to pay parking fees and remember the parked location
- Requesting for a Dubai plate number
- Applying for a damaged or lost driver’s license replacement
- Applying for vehicle registration and vehicle registration card renewal or a change of plate number
- Applying for Vehicle Ownership Certificates
- Paying or inquiring about traffic fines
- Driver’s/vehicle license renewal via barcode scan
- Viewing vehicle registration cards, licenses and plate certificates
- Locating the nearest RTA centre with the app’s GPS functionality
- Applying for a distinguished number plate or for the replacement of a lost or damaged distinguished plate number certificate
- Those employed as taxi drivers, school bus drivers, luxury vehicle drivers or other such services, can pay for their professional driving permit in Dubai via this app. Once the application is filled and the payment is made by the employer, you can get the permit immediately.
RTA SMART DRIVE
RTA Smart Drive app allows you to navigate through Dubai. The app can operate without an internet connection and provides turn-by-turn voice and visual instruction, automatic re-routing and speed limit alerts. It also displays points of interest along the way. Its features include the following:
- ‘Live Traffic’ gives updates about traffic, roadwork and accidents. It also re-routes your trip when required.
- Updated UAE map locations of Metro, Tram, Bus and Marine stations in Dubai
- Real-time traffic information and adjusted travel times on multiple saved routes.
SALIK APP
The Salik app makes travelling convenient by managing users’ accounts on-the-go. Through it, users can recharge any account, view their balance, download statements and access other information content. It has the following features.
- Tag activation
- Balance inquiry
- Recharge any account
- View recent trips
- Violation management
- View Salik account registered vehicles
- Happiness meter integration
SALAMA
The Salama app aims to educate children aged 4 to 14 about traffic and public safety through games and stories. It is highly entertaining and an app your kids should use. Here are some of the features it offers.
- Books and magazines for easy reading.
- Stories and lessons for kids.
- Games such as riddles and puzzles.
- A talking animation book.
- Augmented reality for raising awareness.
- Films teaching children about traffic safety.
FAQS ABOUT RTA SMART SERVICES
WHERE CAN YOU DOWNLOAD THE RTA APPS?
In order to download any of the RTA apps, all you need to do is open your smartphone and to go Google Play Store or Apple Store and search for the app you want to install.
ARE RTA APPS FREE?
Yes, the RTA apps are completely free and aim to make the lives of Dubai residents easier.
And that concludes our guide to RTA smart services. It’s important that you use the apps to make the most of your time in Dubai. Especially if you are a tourist, these apps can help you move around Dubai with ease.
