How to get your motorcycle licence in Dubai
- How to Get a Motorcycle Licence in Dubai
- Dubai Motorcycle Licence Cost
- Institutes Offering Motorcycle Training Course
- Things to Consider
- FAQs
While Dubai residents mainly prefer to commute in cars to avoid the sweltering heat, you’ll find a dedicated group of bike lovers who find it thrilling and convenient to get around on two wheels. If you belong to this small group and want a motorcycle licence in Dubai, you have come to the right place!
This post will guide you through the registration process, the documents required, how to renew the licence and how much a motorcycle licence in Dubai costs.
HOW TO GET A MOTORCYCLE LICENCE IN DUBAI
Riding a motorcycle is both thrilling and convenient, especially during traffic jams. But before that, you must get an official motorcycle driving licence in Dubai.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR A MOTORCYCLE LICENCE IN DUBAI
According to the RTA’s motorcycle handbook, bike riders must abide by all rules applicable to drivers in the country. To be eligible for the Dubai motorbike licence, you need to be at least 17 years old.
Owning a Dubai driving licence won’t grant you automatic access to motorbikes. You’ll need a separate motorcycle licence. For those completely new to two wheels, a minimum of 20 hours of training as a “beginner” is mandatory.
If you have had your country’s motorcycle licence for over two years, you can register for a 10-hour training. For this, you need an affidavit from the consulate that confirms your possession of a valid motorcycle licence.
Additionally, you must:
- Either be an Emirati national or have a valid residence visa
- Have an eye test from an RTA (Road and Transport Authority ) and DHA (Dubai Health Authority) approved and licenced eye testing centre
- Clear any previous fine that you incurred on another category licence before you register
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR APPLICATION
Requirements vary between driving schools, but generally, you need the following documents to apply for a motorcycle licence in Dubai:
- A copy of your valid passport
- A copy of your valid Dubai residence visa
- Your Emirates ID card and a photocopy of both sides of the card
- 2 passport-sized photographs
- A copy of your eye test report
- No Objection Letter (NOC) from your sponsor or company
- If you hold a UAE passport and are under 21 years old, you need a No Objection letter from your sponsor
- Submit the original and a copy of your country’s motorcycle licence
Please note that your motorcycle licence from another country needs to meet a few requirements for a smooth transfer in Dubai. First, the licence must have a clearly visible hologram. They accept valid and expired licences only if the expiration date is within the last 10 years.
Finally, if your licence isn’t in English or Arabic, you’ll need an official translation from a legal translation service in Dubai.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To get a driving licence, you need to follow these steps:
Open an RTA File
Driving institutes often have dedicated RTA counters for quicker application processing. Once you’ve passed your eye test, these counters can help you open your traffic file. With that completed, you’ll receive your learner’s permit, an RTA handbook packed with essential traffic rules and regulations to prepare you for the road ahead.
Take an Eye test
To obtain a motorcycle licence in Dubai, you must pass an eye test conducted by a healthcare facility accredited by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Many driving institutes offer this service for your convenience.
Alternatively, you can find a list of RTA-approved eye testing centres in Dubai. The eye test is a standard vision assessment and shouldn’t be a major hurdle unless you have colour blindness. The RTA website provides details on the specific eyesight requirements.
Attend Theory Lectures and Take the RTA Test
You must complete eight mandatory lectures as part of the motorcycle licencing process. These lectures cover crucial topics such as traffic signs, rules and regulations, road safety practices and risk management. You can attend these classes online or in person.
Once you complete the lectures, you can book the RTA theory test. This computer-based test typically consists of 40 multiple-choice questions. To pass the test, you must answer at least 30 questions correctly.
Practical Training and Test
Your existing qualifications also determine the amount of practical training you require. For instance, new applicants must complete 20 hours of practical classes. If you already have a motorcycle licence from RTA’s non-exception country list, you may only require 10 hours of practical classes.
These practical sessions cover two parts of essential skills.
- A yard test is conducted in a closed area to develop basic motorcycle control and manoeuvring.
- Second, the road navigation program provides practical experience in applying traffic rules and safe riding practices on actual roads.
Once you’ve completed these components, the institute will authorise you to book the official RTA road assessment test.
Pick up your UAE driving licence
If you pass the RTA road assessment test, you can get your driver’s licence within 2 to 3 months.
Please remember that applicants aged 17 years and 6 months can take the training lessons. However, they will be issued a motorcycle licence after turning 18.
HOW TO RENEW MOTORCYCLE LICENCE IN DUBAI
You can quickly renew your motorbike licence in Dubai through the RTA website, RTA app, or by visiting your nearest RTA service centre. One can also apply for the renewal process at your driving school.
Take an eye test (if you haven’t received one in the last six months), clear your dues and pay the fees. If you have applied online and want to receive your licence by courier, pay an additional AED 25. The RTA will send you a licence via courier companies in Dubai.
MOTORCYCLE LICENCE DUBAI COST
Are you wondering what is the motorcycle licence Dubai fees? The amount you need to pay to get a motorcycle licence depends on the driving school you register with.
Here’s a breakdown of the Dubai motorcycle driving licence fees per the RTA website.
- Learning permit fees for motorcycles: AED 100
- Open a traffic file: AED 200
- Handbook manual: AED 50
- The electronic eye test at the Eye Test Centres: AED 140 – AED 180
- Knowledge and Innovation fees: AED 20
Transferring the permit to a branch of the same institute:
- This service is free.
Transferring the permit to a different driving institute:
- Fees vary according to the institute.
New driving licence:
- New licence fees for customers younger than 21 years old: AED 100
- New licence fees for customers 21 years old and above: AED 300
- Knowledge and Innovation fees: AED 20
Adding a new category to the driving licence:
- 200 AED new licence fees
- Knowledge and Innovation fees: AED 20
If the driving licence is not issued after passing the road test for more than one year:
- Opening a training file: AED 200
- Issuing a learning application: AED 100
- Handbook manual: AED 50
- Issuing the driving licence: AED 300
- RTA test fees: AED 200
- Knowledge and Innovation fees: AED 20
Driving test after withdrawing or cancelling the driving licence
- RTA test fees: AED 200
- Opening a training file: AED 200
- Issuing a learning application: AED 100
- Rehabilitation fees after withdrawing or cancelling the licence: AED 3,000
- Knowledge and Innovation fees: AED 20
Also, note that the service fee to swap motorcycle licences from exemption countries is AED 870.
DRIVING INSTITUTES IN DUBAI
The following institutes are authorised by the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) and are counted among the best Dubai driving schools, offering motorcycle riding courses.
- Emirates Driving Institute
- Galadari Motor Driving Centre
- Eco Drive Driving Institute
- Belhasa Driving Centre
- Dubai Driving Centre
- Dubai International Driving Centre
- Excellence Driving Centre
- Bin Yaber Driving Centre
You can find the location of these centres and how to contact them on the RTA official website.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Even with the wide roads and stringent traffic laws, you can’t take your safety as a motorcyclist lightly. Always maintain a safe distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you so you at least have three seconds to come to a stop.
And, of course, you should always wear a helmet, fully-closed shoes and proper clothing to stay safe during accidents. If you are caught without a helmet, you will have to pay an AED 200 fine, and that’s not all. You also get four black points on your licence.
Road rules for car drivers also apply to motorcyclists. For instance, you cannot move between lanes of traffic or ride on the hard shoulder. Also, avoid blind spots where other drivers can’t see you. Furthermore, understand the UAE traffic signs to make your commute even safer. You must also know Dubai pedestrian crossing fine.
Ultimately, getting a motorbike licence in Dubai expands your options to explore the city. The emirate is friendly to motorcyclists, and routes across the UAE are biker-friendly. Of course, parking spaces for motorbikes are not as plentiful as car parking slots.
FAQs About Motorcycle Licence in Dubai
What if I own an RTA handbook and don’t want to purchase it?
The handbook is updated every six months, so to ensure you have the updated one, it’s crucial to purchase the recent RTA handbook.
What are the conditions related to the eye test to get a motorcycle licence?
The customer must pass the eye test according to the requested category at an eye test centre accredited by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and authorised by RTA.
For drivers of light vehicles and motorcycles
- Right eye 6/18 — Left eye 6/18
- Right eye 6/12– Left eye 6/24
- Right eye 6/9 — Left eye 6/36 or 6/60
- Right eye 6/6 — Left eye blind.
Please note that the eye test is valid for two years only.
If I have a valid motorcycle licence issued by my home country, do I still need to apply for a licence in Dubai?
Those with a motorcycle licence from an RTA-approved country can skip the training. Just head to any RTA office with the necessary documents and fees. Your foreign licence will be transferred to a Dubai motorcycle licence without mandatory lessons.
Here’s the list of RTA-exception/approved countries:
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Albania
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Qatar
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Australia
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Iceland
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Romania
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Austria
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Ireland
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Saudi Arabia
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Bahrain
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Italy
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Serbia
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Belgium
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Japan
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Singapore
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Britain
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Kuwait
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South Africa
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Bulgaria
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Latvia
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South Korea
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Cyprus
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Lithuania
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Spain
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Denmark
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Netherlands
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Sweden
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Estonia
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New Zealand
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Switzerland
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Finland
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Norway
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Turkey
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France
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Oman
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Ukraine
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Germany
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Poland
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United States of America
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Hong Kong
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Portugal
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Can I use my car driving licence to drive a motorcycle?
No, you cannot drive a motorcycle with a car driving licence. Remember, you must have a motorcycle endorsement. Also, you must complete a motorcycle training course and pass a practical test to obtain a motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s licence.
How long does it take to get a motorcycle licence?
It usually takes two months to get your licence if you pass your test on the first attempt. On average, you should be able to do it in under three months, including the retrials.
This wraps up our instruction guide on getting a motorcycle licence in Dubai. Those who travel frequently can consider getting an international driving licence in Dubai.
Our guide on how to apply for a motorcycle licence in Abu Dhabi can come in handy for those looking to commute via bike in the capital city. You can read about Abu Dhabi licence renewal to ensure you always have a valid licence.
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