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Driving License (رخصة قيادة)
Get a Gulf driving licence: check whether you can exchange your current licence, pass the eye test, enrol at a driving institute, pass the theory and road tests, and collect your licence. Authorities, fees and training rules vary by emirate and country.
- Gulf countries
- ~28 days
- 11 steps
- 4 documents
Curated by Raaya · Last reviewed Oct 2026
Steps
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Check eligibility and the exchange option
1 dayIn the UAE the minimum age is 18 for cars and light vehicles (17 for motorcycles, 20 for heavy vehicles, 21 for buses). First check whether you can skip training: residents holding a valid licence from certain countries can exchange it for a UAE licence, usually with just an eye test. The list of eligible countries is on the traffic authority's site.
Licensing is run by each emirate: the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai, the Abu Dhabi Police and TAMM in Abu Dhabi, and the Ministry of Interior traffic departments elsewhere.
Other Gulf countries: Saudi Arabia licenses through the General Department of Traffic (Muroor) with appointments on Absher. Qatar uses the MOI Traffic Department (Metrash). Bahrain uses the General Directorate of Traffic, Kuwait the MOI General Traffic Department, where expatriates must meet strict eligibility conditions, and Oman the Royal Oman Police.
Tip: If you are eligible for an exchange, skip to the eye test and licence issue steps.
- Online
- rta.ae
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Gather your documents
1 dayThe UAE portal lists a passport copy, Emirates ID, photographs, an eye test report and, where required, a no-objection letter from your sponsor or employer. For an exchange, add your original foreign licence and, if it is not in English or Arabic, a legal translation.
Make sure your residence is valid; many services are blocked if it is close to expiry.
Other Gulf countries: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman ask for the Iqama, QID, CPR, Civil ID or resident card, plus the eye test and, in some cases, a sponsor letter.
Tip: Keep digital copies on your phone; driving institutes upload them to open your file.
Valid passport copyEmirates ID cardPassport-size photographsSponsor or employer no-objection letter -
Pass the eye test
1 dayAn eye test at an approved optician or medical centre is required before you can open a file. The result is sent electronically to the traffic authority. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, the licence will note that you must wear them while driving.
Other Gulf countries: eye tests are also required in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman, and are done at approved centres or at the traffic department.
Tip: Bring your Emirates ID; many approved opticians do the test in about ten minutes without an appointment.
- Where
- Approved optician / eye test centre · Bring Emirates ID. Result is sent electronically to the traffic authority.
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Open your traffic file at a driving institute
1 dayChoose a licensed driving institute and register. The institute opens your traffic file, issues your learning permit and sets your training plan. Compare packages: price, class times, instructor language, and whether there is a fast-track or assessment option for experienced drivers.
Other Gulf countries: in Saudi Arabia you book driving school enrolment via Absher; in Qatar you register at a licensed driving school; Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman also require enrolment at an approved school or the traffic department.
Tip: Ask the institute which tests are included in the package and what each retest costs.
- Online
- rta.ae
Emirates ID cardPassport-size photographsSponsor or employer no-objection letter -
Complete theory classes
5 daysAttend the required theory lectures before you can sit the knowledge test. The UAE portal lists 8 hours for light vehicles, motorcycles and buses, 9 hours for heavy vehicles and 4 hours for equipment. Topics include traffic law, road signs, hazard perception and safe driving.
Other Gulf countries: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman have their own theory requirements and tests, available in several languages.
Tip: Use the institute's mock tests until you score well consistently before booking the real one.
- Attend all required theory lectures
- Study road signs and right-of-way rules
- Take the institute mock tests
- Practise hazard perception exercises
- Book the knowledge test once ready
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Pay test fees and training package
1 dayIn Dubai, the RTA knowledge test costs AED 220 (AED 200 test plus AED 20 knowledge and innovation fees); optional remote interpretation or an instant test costs extra. Road tests, the learning permit and the licence itself have separate fees, and driving institutes charge their own training packages, which vary widely. Fees in other emirates differ.
Other Gulf countries: fees are paid on Absher (Saudi Arabia), Metrash (Qatar), Sahel (Kuwait), bahrain.bh (Bahrain) or ROP online services (Oman), plus the driving school package.
Tip: Budget for at least one retest; many first-time candidates fail the road test.
- Fee
- AED 220 · RTA Dubai knowledge (theory) test fee including knowledge and innovation fees
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Sit the knowledge test
1 dayBook the knowledge (theory) test through the traffic authority or your institute. In Dubai you can book online with UAE PASS or Emirates ID and get confirmation by SMS and email. Passing the theory test is mandatory before the final road test.
Other Gulf countries: theory tests in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman are booked through the driving school or the traffic department.
Tip: Arrive early with your Emirates ID and learning permit; late arrivals can lose the slot.
- Where
- RTA / traffic authority test centre · Bring Emirates ID and learning permit. Computer-based theory test.
Emirates ID card -
Complete practical training and yard test
14 daysTake your practical lessons with the institute. The number of lessons depends on the institute's assessment of your skills. You must pass the yard (parking) test, which covers manoeuvres such as parking and hill starts, before you can take the road test.
Other Gulf countries: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman also combine practical lessons with a yard or parking test before the road test.
Tip: Practise in traffic at different times of day, including on highways, before the road test.
- Complete the required practical lessons
- Practise parking and manoeuvres
- Pass the yard (parking) test
- Practise highway and roundabout driving
- Book the road test
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Take the road test
1 dayThe final road test is conducted by a traffic authority examiner. You are assessed on observation, lane discipline, speed control, roundabouts and following instructions. If you fail, you will usually need more lessons before rebooking.
Other Gulf countries: road tests in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman are conducted by the traffic department, often at the driving school.
Tip: Ask the examiner or instructor for the feedback sheet if you do not pass; focus your extra lessons on those points.
- Where
- Traffic authority road test examiner · Bring Emirates ID and learning permit. Road test with an official examiner.
Emirates ID card -
Collect your driving licence
1 dayAfter passing, pay the licence issue fee and get your licence. In Dubai you can download the digital licence in the RTA app and order the physical card for delivery or collection. In the UAE, a new licence is valid for 2 years (1 year if you are under 21); renewals are valid for 5 years for expatriate residents aged 21 and over.
Other Gulf countries: Saudi Arabia shows the licence in Absher; Qatar in Metrash; Kuwait in the Sahel and Kuwait Mobile ID apps; Bahrain and Oman issue cards through the traffic department and ROP.
Tip: Add the licence to your RTA or MOI app so fines and expiry alerts reach you.
- Online
- rta.ae
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Set a reminder to renew your licence
1 dayRenew before the licence expires: driving on an expired licence is an offence and can affect insurance cover. In the UAE, renewal needs a valid Emirates ID and usually a new eye test.
Other Gulf countries: renew through Absher (Saudi Arabia), Metrash (Qatar), Sahel (Kuwait), bahrain.bh (Bahrain) or ROP (Oman).
Tip: Check for unpaid traffic fines before renewing; outstanding fines can block the renewal.
Documents you'll need
| Valid passport copy | Listed among the documents for a new licence; keep a copy with your file. |
|---|---|
| Emirates ID card | Needed to open the traffic file, book tests and issue the licence. Residence must be valid. |
| Passport-size photographs | Required when opening the traffic file and printed on the licence card. |
| Sponsor or employer no-objection letter | Required in some cases; check with the driving institute whether your profession or visa type needs it. |
Official sources
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General guidance, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change; confirm with the official source before you act.