Illustration by Adina Maratkyzy
Step-by-step: How To Get a Driver’s License in Abu Dhabi
An updated guide on the steps required to get your Emirates driver’s license, outlining the three main processes you may take.
Nov 14, 2020
Exploring the UAE, which many aim to do during their four years at NYU Abu Dhabi, becomes easier and cheaper with a car. Whether you’re a senior planning a road trip across all seven emirates or you simply want to explore the city more, obtaining a driver’s license is the first step.
Emirates Driving Company, the only recognized driving school in Abu Dhabi, is located in Musaffah Industrial Area, approximately 40 minutes away from NYUAD, and costs 80 AED by cab.
As the Covid-19 pandemic remains on its high tide, the UAE government has reopened driving centers, while keeping in place precautionary steps. One significant change in regards to the process is that theory classes can now be done online rather than in person, saving time and cab fares for students.
Three different options are available if you’re planning on getting your license.
Converting Your License
If you already have a valid driving license from home or an International Driver’s License, converting it to an Emirati license is simple and can be easily done in an afternoon. It is important to note, however, that this is only applicable for certain countries. To convert your existing license to an Emirati License, follow the steps outlined below:
- Gather all your documents, with photocopies. You’ll need your passport, visa page, Emirates ID and current driver’s license. You will also need a letter of no objection from NYUAD, which can be issued by the Immigration Office.
- You also need an eye test, which costs 100 AED and can be taken at the driving company itself.
- You will need a legal translation of your current driver’s license if it is not already in Arabic. There are numerous translation offices around the city; one that is often recommended is Abu Afeefa Typing and Photocopy Office. The small, pink-signed shop is located behind Madinat Zayed. A translation costs 50 AED and takes around an hour to be completed.
- Head to the Traffic and Licensing Department in Musaffah, approximately 15 minutes from Madinat Zayed.
- Present your original license and translated license, passport and Emirates ID, and pay 600 AED. A picture will be taken of you and you’ll have your new UAE license in hand within 15 minutes.
Golden Chance
Golden chance is a process that can be taken by people who have a driver’s license from their home country, for at least a year, but cannot directly convert it to a UAE driver’s license. The process is simpler, saving both time and money.
- Gather all the aforementioned documents, including the eye test and translation.
- Complete the required eight theory courses and pass the written test. There are three packages to do so. The first, and cheapest, is 872 AED for two hour sessions over the course of four days. The second costs 1102.5 AED for four hour sessions over the course of two days. The final costs 1607 AED for two sessions condensed into one day. You can book sessions through email, rather than having to make the trip in person. The written test costs an additional 50 AED.
- After this, you are eligible to take the final driving test directly while skipping the practical driving lessons and other tests. The exam includes driving, switching lanes and parking on the side of the road. Students have shared that passing is not as easy as it seems to be.
- If you pass the test, you immediately receive your license. If you fail, you will need to go through the same process as new drivers.
New Drivers
If you do not yet have a license from home, you will need to take lessons and a driving test.
- Open a driving file with Emirates Driving Company; this will allow you to register for a driving theory course. You will need to bring your passport, Emirates ID, two passport pictures and a visa page with photocopies. Opening a file costs 200 AED.
- Complete the theory courses and written test as aforementioned.
- After this, you can start your practical driving courses. A PEP test, which costs 70 AED, will determine what level driver you are and how many hours of courses you need to take. Beginners require 30 hours of lessons, intermediate drivers require 20 hours and advanced drivers only 10 hours. Depending on the level you place into and how frequently you wish to do classes, it will cost at least 2,000 AED. Paying more means finishing sooner, which may be worth it — especially once you add up all the cab fares.
- To take the practical driving test, you need to make an appointment at the Traffic and Licensing Department, which is located behind Mushrif Mall. Bring your passport, Emirates ID and proof of passing the theory test. It costs 50 AED to schedule a practical driving test appointment, and the test itself costs 200 AED.
- Once you have passed the road test, you can apply for your Emirati drivers license at the Emirates Driving Company. Go back to the Drivers Licensing Department with a certificate of having passed the test, passport and 200 AED. Your photo will be taken and your license will be printed.
Parts of the application process, such as booking appointments, can also be done online or on the MOI UAE app, made available by the Ministry of Interior. Students who have licenses that expired or will expire in the next three months are eligible to renew their license on the app as well. Given the pandemic, all licenses will be renewed for another year, irrespective of any fines, black points or eye tests.
Once you have a valid driver’s license, you are free to drive in any of the seven emirates. Europcar, which has a rental booth on the ground floor of the Campus Center, charges between 100 and 150 AED per day for a car with unlimited miles for NYUAD students. If you are under 21, you will need to pay a 30 AED young driver's cost on top of the rental price.
Matilde Handal Rabaj, Class of 2021, acknowledged the frustration and costly process of obtaining her driver’s license here, but ultimately stated that it was worth it: “The amount of freedom that having a license gives you is incredible, it has completely changed the way we interact with the city.”
Segments of this article were taken from an earlier article by Clare Henning.
Additional reporting done by Vimal Minsarya.
Sarah Afaneh is Senior Communications Editor and Features Editor. Email her feedback at feedback@thegazelle.org.
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