If you reside in Dubai and love to ride bikes, you need to have a motorcycle licence. Here’s all that you need to know about getting a motorcycle licence in Dubai, right from the documents required to the fees associated with procuring the motorbike license.
HOW TO GET A MOTORCYCLE LICENCE IN DUBAI
Riding a motorcycle is both thrilling and convenient, especially during traffic jams. But before that, you need to get an official motorcycle driving licence in Dubai.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A MOTORCYCLE LICENCE IN DUBAI
When can you apply for a motorcycle licence? According to the RTA’s motorcycle handbook, bike riders have to abide by all rules incumbent on drivers in the country. To be eligible for the Dubai motorbike licence, you need to be at least 17 years old.
Note that even if you have a valid Dubai driving licence, you still need to apply for a separate licence to ride a motorbike in the city. If you don’t have a Dubai bike licence, you must register as a ‘beginner’ for a mandatory minimum of 15 hours.
If you have your country’s motorcycle licence for more than two years, you can register for 8 hours. For this, you need an affidavit from the consulate that confirms your possession of a valid motorcycle licence.
Moreover, expats from these 41 RTA listed countries can transfer their motorbike driving licences to a motorcycle licence in Dubai. These countries include:
- Bahrain
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Kuwait
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- USA
- Australia
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- New Zealand
- China
- Singapore
- South Korea
- South Africa
DOCUMENTS FOR APPLICATION
Requirements vary between driving schools, but generally, you need the following documents to apply for a motorcycle driving licence in Dubai:
- Emirates ID (original and copy)
- Sponsor’s NOC (preferably signed and stamped)
- Eye test
- Copy of passport with valid Dubai residence visa
- Two photographs (passport size)
If you already have your country’s motorcycle licence, you need to submit a copy of that too.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Once you have collected these documents, go to the driving school of your choice to register your application and open a file.
You will have to first attend theory lectures for a minimum of 8 hours, after which you need to pass a test. The next step is to attend practical lessons, after which you have to pass the driving school’s assessment.
The theory and practical lessons cover essentials like balancing your motorbike, driving with a load, risk management, traffic signs, rules of the road and lane discipline.
Once you clear the road test at the driving school, you need to enrol for the RTA tests, and once you pass them, you will successfully obtain your motorcycle licence in Dubai. RTA tests are conducted both at designated yards as well as on the road. If you fail these tests five times, you will have to complete more lessons to become eligible again.
Overall, the Dubai motorbike licence process can take two months, assuming you take two lessons every weekend and pass all your tests on the first go.
IMPORTANT CONTACT DETAILS
ROADS AND TRANSPORT AUTHORITY (RTA)
Phone: +971-4-284-4444
Website: rta.ae
EMIRATES DRIVING INSTITUTE
Phone: +971-4-263-1100
Website: edi-uae.com
AL AHLI DRIVING CENTRE
Phone: 800-252454
Website: alahlidubai.ae
DUBAI DRIVING CENTER
Phone: +971-4-345-5855
Website:dubaidrivingcentre.net
MOTORCYCLE LICENCE FEES
The amount you need to pay to get a motorcycle licence in Dubai depends on the driving school you register with. For example, the motorcycle course at the Dubai Driving Center can cost upwards of AED 3,800.
The Emirates Driving Centre motorcycle package cost around AED 4,600, which includes tests and fees as well. The cost can increase if you opt for Fridays or gold training.
At the Al Ahli School, the total cost can go up to AED 5,000. But this includes everything from lessons to the RTA test.
The price also varies with your schedule and timings. Regardless of The Dubai motorcycle driving school you opt for, you will have to take mandatory theory training. In addition to the lessons, you will also have to pay for opening a file, permits, tests and insurance along with knowledge and innovation fees. Be prepared to pay up to AED 1,500.
The motorcycle licence in Dubai cost can also increase based on any previous fines in your name. You need to clear them before applying for a new licence.
HOW TO RENEW MOTORCYCLE LICENCE IN DUBAI
You can easily get your Dubai motorbike licence renewed through the RTA website, app or by visiting your nearest RTA service centre. One can also apply for the renewal process at your driving school. You will have to give 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 license via any of the reliable courier companies in Dubai.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE APPLYING FOR A DUBAI MOTORCYCLE LICENSE
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. Also, make sure that you can be easily seen by other drivers in their side or rear-view mirrors.
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 AED 200 fine and that’s not all. You also get four black points on your licence.
The rules of the road 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. It’s always best to know the UAE traffic signs to make your commute even safer.
Ultimately, getting a motorbike licence in Dubai expands your list of ways to explore the city. The emirate is friendly to motorcyclists and routes across the UAE are generally biker-friendly. Of course, parking spaces for motorbikes are not as plentiful as they should be.
This wraps our instructional on getting a motorcycle licence in Dubai. Those who travel frequently can consider having an international driving license in Dubai. If you are considering off-road biking, don’t forget to check out our quad biking in Dubai guide. To know more about the rules and regulations in the UAE, subscribe to MyBayut.
