The new rule applies to residents from certain countries…

Historically, in order to obtain a UAE driver’s license in Dubai when holding a foreign driver’s license– it was mandatory as per the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) for certain countries to complete driving classes and a knowledge or road test. However, the RTA recently announced that this rule has now been changed slightly with the unveiling of a ‘golden chance’ scheme, to make it easier to apply for a UAE driver’s license in Dubai.

 

What does this mean?

Depending on your country of origin, the application for a UAE drivers license differs. For some, you can simply apply to convert your foreign license to a UAE license, others are required to withdraw and exchange the foreign license altogether to receive a UAE driver’s license. For some foreign license holders, it was mandatory to complete driving classes, as well as a road test to receive their UAE driver’s license. For a list of countries that are exempt from taking the test click here.

But this rule has now been changed as of Thursday April 28. Foreign license holders that are required to take lessons and a driving test can now easily apply to complete the road test from the RTA website, without completing driving lessons, under the ‘golden chance’ scheme. This means that you are no longer required to take driving lessons. However, you must still take the road test.

rta.ae