All about Dubai driving licence renewal process

• Eligibility
• Required Documents
• Service Charges
• Penalties
• Procedure
• Eye Test Centres
• Processing Time and Validity

Those living in the UAE know that driving is essential to everyday life. In a city famous for its robust infrastructure and strict driving rules, having a valid driving licence is crucial. You must learn about the Dubai driving licence renewal process to do so. Here’s our step-by-step guide on how to renew your driving licence in Dubai.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR DUBAI LICENCE RENEWAL?

Before discussing the renewal process, it’s important to know the Dubai driving licence eligibility criteria. According to RTA guidelines, residents aged 21 years and above can get a driving licence in Dubai.

Residents younger than 21 can apply for a probationary driving licence. Six months after getting the first-time learner’s permit, you can apply for a driving test.

DOCUMENTS NEEDED

These documents are required for driving licence renewal in Dubai:

• Original and valid Emirates ID for applicants older than 21 years old.
• Eye testing, according to the RTA guidelines, is mandatory for applicants older than 21 years.
• Original and valid Emirates ID for applicants younger than 21 years.

RTA-Approved Eye Test Centres in Dubai

Getting your eyesight tested is mandatory in the Dubai driving licence renewal process. Here’s a list of eye test centres in Dubai.

Prime Medical Center

• Location: First Floor, Dubai International Airport, Terminal 1, Departures Hall
• Contact: +971-4-707-0999

Dubai Optical

• Location: Dubai Optical Group, 402, Apricot Tower, Dubai Silicon Oasis
• Contact: +971-4-397-6549

Emirates Driving Institute

• Location: Al Quoz | Al Qusais | Port Rashid
• Contact: +971-4-263-1100

You can read our guide on EDI Driving Institute to find out more.

Some of the other eye test centres are:

• Belhasa Driving Centre – Eye Test
• Yateem Optician
• Salik Optical
• Rivoli EyeZone
• Malak Typing – Photocopying & Optical
• Magrabi Optical
• Leen Optics
• Grand Optics
• Executive Optics
• Barakat Optical
• Apple International Optical
• Al Jaber Optical

An extra AED 500 must be paid by applicants aged 21+ if they request mobile truck service for an eye test. To request a truck, please call Al Jaber Optical at +971-55-600-2116.

WHAT ARE THE SERVICE CHARGES FOR DUBAI DRIVING LICENCE RENEWAL?

The RTA Dubai driving licence renewal fees vary. Applicants older than 21 must pay a Dubai driving licence renewal fee of AED 300. Other charges include AED 20 for Knowledge and Innovation fees.

Those younger than 21 must pay AED 100 for licence renewal and AED 20 for Knowledge and Innovation fees.

PENALTIES FOR DELAYING DRIVING LICENCE RENEWAL IN DUBAI

Any delay in driving licence renewal in Dubai for less than 10 years is charged at AED 10 per month. The maximum fine due to renewal delay can reach up to AED 500.

If your licence expired more than 10 years ago, you are only allowed to renew the licence after successfully passing the mandatory road test. In this case, the Dubai driving licence renewal fee is AED 1,370.

HOW TO RENEW YOUR DRIVING LICENCE IN DUBAI

Wonder “how and where to renew the driving licence in Dubai?” RTA has introduced multiple ways to renew a driving licence in Dubai online. Here are the various channels that you can rely on.

RTA DUBAI OFFICIAL WEBSITE

The RTA official website offers a comprehensive and easy-to-use online Dubai licence renewal tool. Whether you wish to apply for a new licence or renew a previous one, follow these steps:

• The applicant has to undergo a mandatory eye test at one of the eye test centres.
• Go to the RTA official website and browse through the Driver and Car Owner services tab.

• Click on the Driving Licence Services tab to access services related to Dubai driving licence renewal.
• Enter Emirates ID or driving licence details to retrieve data
• Upload all the required documents.
• Pay all the necessary fees or fines (if applicable).
• You will get a temporary driving licence to print until the original licence is ready.
• The temporary licence is valid for 5 to 15 working days.
• Receive your driving licence from Happiness Centres at Al Barsha or Deira.
• You can also get your new licence delivered by paying additional shipping charges shared here:
  • Standard delivery AED 20
  • Same-day delivery AED 35
  • Delivery within 2 hours AED 50
  • International delivery AED 50

DUBAI DRIVE APP

The RTA Dubai Drive App offers a convenient way to renew your driver’s licence. The app is available for both Android and iOS. The process is the same as that on the RTA website.

If you are driving in Dubai, this app is handy. It is one of the most useful apps to help drivers in Dubai.

SERVICES CENTRES

There are various driving licence renewal centres in Dubai. Some of these centres have eye testing facilities as well.

The process for renewing your driver’s licence is easy. All you need to do is visit any eye test centre and get your eyes tested. Once your tests are clear, apply for a driver’s licence renewal. Pay all the required fees and fines. Get a printout of the temporary licence from any Customer Happiness Centres.

Here is a list of areas with Customers Happiness Centres with Self Service Machines:

• Umm Ramool
• Deira
• Al Barsha
• Al Manarah
• Al Twar
• Al Kifaf Tasjeel
• Al Tawar
• Barsha Tasjeel
• Muhaisna Shamil
• Tamam Vehicle Testing
• Al Qusais Tasjeel
• Wasel Vehicle Testing – Al Jaddaf

APPLY FOR DUBAI DRIVING LICENCE RENEWAL FROM KIOSKS

Apart from online services and RTA Service centres across Dubai, another option is to apply for a driving licence renewal at the RTA kiosks. The kiosk renewal procedure is the same as that for licence renewal through service centres.

Here are the various kiosk locations for driver’s licence renewal in Dubai.

• Customer Happiness Centre in Umm Ramool
• Customer Happiness Centre in Deira
• Customer Happiness Centre in Al Barsha
• Customer Happiness Centre in Al Manarah
• Customer Happiness Centre in Al Towar
• Customer Happiness Centre in Al Aweer
• Customer Happiness Centre in Al Kifaf
• Tasjeel Al Tawar
• Barsha Tasjeel
• Quick Cars Testing
• Muhaisnah Shamil
• Tamam Vehicle Testing
• Al Qusais Tasjeel
• Wasel Belhasa

Dubai Licence Renewal Through Mahboub Chatbot

You can also renew your Dubai licence via the Maboub Chatbot on the RTA website. Here’s the process for online renewal:

• Open the Mahboub chat window and type “Renew Driving Licence.”
• When prompted, enter your traffic file number, licence issuance date (YYYY format), birth year (YYYY format) and driver’s licence number.
• Select “Electronic document sent to the customer’s registered email” as your preferred delivery method. Additional delivery charges will apply depending on the request, ranging from AED 20 to AED 50.

PROCESSING TIME AND VALIDITY FOR DUBAI LICENCE

On average, the processing time for driving licence renewal in Dubai is 3 to 5 working days. The validity of the driver’s licence is 1 year for applicants below 21 years. Driver’s licence validity for those aged 21 and above is 10 years for Emirati and GCC citizens. The licence is valid for 5 years for residents of other nationalities.

FAQS About Driving Licence Renewal Dubai

CAN I RENEW DRIVING LICENCE IN DUBAI ONLINE?

You can visit the official RTA website to renew your Dubai licence online.

Can I drive without a licence in Dubai?

No, it’s not recommended to drive without a licence in Dubai. Please remember that driving without a licence or an expired one may lead to legal trouble and monetary fines. Here’s our list of all the traffic fines in Dubai.

How long does it take to get your Dubai licence?

Getting your licence is easy and usually completed within 3 to 5 working days. An urgent licence can be processed and home-delivered within 2 hours for an additional charge of AED 50.

What is the age limit for a driving licence in Dubai?

Anyone over 18 can apply for a driver’s licence if they qualify and meet the required tests and criteria.

HOW TO DISPUTE TRAFFIC FINES IN DUBAI?

Go through our guide which explains how to dispute traffic fines in Dubai.

That’s all for our guide to the Dubai driving licence renewal. Check out this handy guide to getting a car licence in Dubai if you want to apply for a new licence. An international driving licence is essential for those who travel frequently. If you are planning to buy a used car, here we explain how to switch car ownership in the UAE.

You can also learn how to apply for one with our complete guide to international licence in Dubai.

We have listed various convenient ways to renew your licence. For more information about other services, look at our detailed RTA Dubai guide to learn about the facilities offered by RTA.

For those residing in the capital, here is the process for Abu Dhabi drivers licence renewal.

To learn more information on government services in the UAE, stay tuned to MyBayut.