Dubai Driving Licence Renewal Process: A Comprehensive Guide
Dubai is known for its high standard of living and luxurious lifestyle. However, one must have a valid driving license to enjoy the perks of living in this city. The necessary documentation for driving legally on Dubai’s roads is a driver’s license. After a certain amount of time, you must renew your driver’s license; otherwise, you risk fines and penalties.
Renewing a driver’s license in Dubai is an easy process that can be completed online to save time and effort. Residents must renew their driving license every 5 or 10 years, depending on their citizenship status. UAE and GCC citizens can renew their driving licenses for ten years, while residents can renew theirs for five years. However, clearing all outstanding traffic fines is essential before renewing the license. A fine of AED 10 per month is levied on customers who delay the renewal of their driving license.
To renew your driving license, you must first pass an eye test. Once the eye test is done, the renewal process can be completed online. The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, or RTA, has made renewing a driving license convenient and hassle-free. Furthermore, residents can choose from various driving centers and registration offices to complete the renewal process. The maximum fine due to renewal delay can reach up to AED 500.
Eligibility Criteria for Renewal
To renew a Dubai driving license, the applicant must meet certain eligibility criteria. This section outlines the two main criteria that applicants must meet: age requirements and residency status.
Age Requirements
To be eligible for driving license renewal, the applicant must be at least 21 years old. However, for certain categories of vehicles, such as heavy trucks and buses, the minimum age requirement is 24 years old. If the applicant is under 21, they must wait until they reach the minimum age limit before renewing their driving license.
Residency Status
Residency status is Another important eligibility criterion for Dubai driving license renewal. UAE citizens and GCC nationals can renew their driving licenses for up to 10 years, while residents can renew their licenses for up to 5 years. It is important to note that the applicant must be a UAE resident to be eligible for driving license renewal in Dubai.
To renew a driving license in Dubai, the applicant must also ensure that they have no outstanding traffic fines. If the applicant has any traffic fines, they must settle them before renewing their driving license. The renewal procedure is able to be completed via the RTA Dubai app, the RTA website, or by visiting a Customer Happiness Center.
Overall, to be eligible for driving license renewal in Dubai, the applicant must meet the age and residency requirements and have no outstanding traffic fines.
Required Documents for Renewal
When renewing a Dubai driving license, applicants must provide a few documents. These documents include the Emirates ID, original driving license, and passport and visa copy.
Emirates ID
For applicants older than 21 years old, the original and valid Emirates ID is required. The Emirates ID serves as a form of identification for the applicant and must be presented during the renewal process.
Original Driving Licence
Applicants must provide their original driving license during renewal. The license must be valid and not expired. It is important to note that if the license has been lost or stolen, a police report must be filed before the renewal process can proceed.
Passport and Visa Copy
Besides the Emirates ID and original driving license, applicants must also provide a copy of their passport and visa. A copy of the passport and visa prove the applicant’s residency in Dubai.
Overall, the required documents for Dubai driving license renewal are fairly straightforward. Applicants should ensure that they have all the necessary documents before proceeding with the renewal process.
Renewal Process Overview
To renew a Dubai driving license, one can do it online or visit an RTA service center or kiosk. The process is straightforward and can be completed within a short time.
Online Renewal Steps
For online renewal, one needs to follow these steps:
- Visit the RTA Dubai website and create an account if you don’t have one.
- Login to the account and select the ‘Renewal of Driving License’ option.
- Fill in the required information, such as license number, passport details, and visa status.
- Pay the renewal fee using a credit or debit card.
- Once the payment is confirmed, print the temporary driving license, which is valid for 30 days.
RTA Service Centers
If one prefers to visit an RTA service center, the following steps are involved:
- Visit any of the RTA service centers in Dubai.
- Fill in the renewal form and attach the required documents, such as a passport copy, residency visa, and original driving license.
- Pay the renewal fee using cash or a credit/debit card.
- Once the payment is confirmed, collect the temporary driving license, which is valid for 30 days.
Kiosk Locations
For renewal at a kiosk, one needs to follow these steps:
- Visit any of the RTA kiosk locations in Dubai.
- Insert the original driving license into the kiosk machine.
- Adhere to the screen directions and fill in the required information.
- Pay the renewal fee using a credit or debit card.
- Once the payment is confirmed, collect the temporary driving license, which is valid for 30 days.
It is important to note that the renewal process can only be completed without pending traffic fines. If there are any fines, they must be settled before proceeding with the renewal process. Additionally, if the driving license has expired for over a year, one must retake the driving test.
Eye Test Requirements
To renew a Dubai driving license, an eye test is mandatory for all applicants. The test will assess the applicant’s visual acuity, color vision, and field of vision. The eye test certificate must be obtained from an approved eye test center. This section will discuss the approved opticians and RTA-authorized centers where you can take the eye test.
Approved Opticians
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has a list of approved opticians where you can take the eye test. It is important to ensure that the RTA authorizes the optician you visit. The following are some of the approved opticians:
- Yateem Optician
- Magrabi Optical
- Grand Optics
- Al Jaber Optical
- Dubai Opticians
It is advisable to call ahead and book an appointment to avoid long waiting times.
RTA Authorized Centers
Besides approved opticians, the RTA has authorized centers where you can take the eye test. These centers offer a range of services related to driving licenses, including eye tests. The following are some of the RTA-authorized centers:
- Dubai Driving Center
- Galadari Motor Driving Center
- Drive Dubai
It is important to note that branches can provide all training, registration, and testing services, while registration offices can only provide registration services.
Overall, it is important to ensure that you take the eye test at an approved optician or RTA-authorized center to avoid any delays in the renewal process.
Renewal Fees and Charges
Renewing a Dubai driving license requires payment of various fees. Here are the different fees that drivers need to pay:
Standard Renewal Fees
The standard renewal fee for a Dubai driving license varies depending on the driver’s age. For drivers under 21 years old, the renewal fee is AED 100. For drivers over 21 years old, the renewal fee is AED 320.
Knowledge and Innovation Fee
Besides the standard renewal fees, drivers must pay a Knowledge and Innovation fee of AED 20. This fee is charged to support the development of knowledge-based industries in the UAE.
Additional Service Charges
Drivers who opt for additional services when renewing their Dubai driving license must also pay additional service charges. The following are the additional service charges:
- Standard Delivery: Drivers can receive their renewed driving license within five working days for a fee of AED 20.
- Same-Day Delivery: Drivers can receive their renewed driving license on the same day for a fee of AED 35.
- 2-Hour Delivery: Drivers can receive their renewed driving license within 2 hours for a fee of AED 50.
It is important to note that drivers must settle all their traffic fines before renewing their Dubai driving license. Failure to do so will result in a fine of AED 10 per month for delayed renewal.
In conclusion, drivers should have enough funds to cover the renewal fees and additional service charges when renewing their Dubai driving license.
Payment Methods
When it comes to renewing a Dubai driving license, there are two main payment methods available to the drivers: Online payment options and Payment at RTA Centers.
Online Payment Options
The RTA website offers a convenient way to renew your driving license online using a credit card. The payment procedure is simple and quick online, saving you the hassle of visiting an RTA center in person. To renew your driving license online, you will need to follow these steps:
- Visit the RTA website and log in to your account.
- Select the driving license renewal option and follow the instructions on the screen.
- Enter your credit card details and pay the renewal fee.
Payment at RTA Centers
If you prefer to pay in person, you can visit any RTA center to renew your driving license. You can pay by cash or credit card at the center. Here are the steps you need to follow to renew your driving license at an RTA center:
- Visit an RTA center and collect a token.
- Wait for your turn and present your documents to the RTA representative.
- Pay the renewal fee by cash or credit card.
It is important to note that there may be additional fees or fines to be paid if your driving license has expired or if you have any outstanding traffic fines. Therefore, settling all your fines before renewing your driving license is advisable to avoid delays or additional fees.
In summary, drivers in Dubai have two main payment options available to renew their driving licenses: Online payment options through the RTA website using a credit card or payment at RTA centers by cash or credit card.
Penalties for Late Renewal
Driving license renewal is an important process that every driver in Dubai must undergo to maintain their legal driving status. Failure to renew the driving license on time can lead to various penalties, including fines, black points, and delay charges. Here are some penalties drivers may face if they fail to renew their driving license on time.
Traffic Fines
If drivers fail to renew their driving license before its expiration date, they must pay a traffic fine. The fine amount depends on how long the driver has delayed the renewal. For instance, if a driver renews their license within one month of expiration, they will be charged a fine of AED 10 per month. However, if the driver delays the renewal for more than one year, the fine can go up to AED 500.
Black Points
In addition to the traffic fine, a driver who fails to renew their license on time will also receive black points on their license. The number of black points depends on the severity of the offense. For instance, if a driver delays their license renewal by less than three months, they will receive two black points. However, the driver will receive four black points if the delay is more than three months.
Delay Charges
Apart from the traffic fine and black points, a driver who delays their license renewal will also be charged a delay fee. The fee is calculated based on the days the driver has delayed the renewal. For instance, if a driver renews their license within one month of expiration, they will not be charged any delay fee. However, if the driver delays the renewal for more than one year, they will be charged a delay fee of AED 20 per day.
In conclusion, drivers in Dubai need to renew their driving licenses on time to avoid late renewal penalties. Drivers should keep track of their license expiration date and renew it before it expires to avoid inconvenience.
Collection and Delivery of Licence
Courier Services
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) offers a courier service to deliver renewed driving licenses. This service is available for a fee of AED 20, AED 35, and AED 50, depending on the delivery time. Customers can choose from three delivery options: standard delivery (within five working days), same-day delivery, and 2-hour delivery.
To avail of this service, customers must provide the RTA with a valid Emirates ID, mobile number, and email address for communication purposes. The courier service is convenient for those unable to collect their renewed driving license in person.
RTA Kiosk Collection
Customers can also collect their renewed driving license from one of the RTA’s self-service kiosks across Dubai. The kiosks are available 24/7 and offer a quick and easy way to collect the renewed license.
To collect the renewed license from the kiosk, customers must first complete the renewal process and pay the relevant fees. They will then receive an SMS notification with a collection code, which they can use to collect their renewed license from the kiosk.
The RTA kiosk collection option is ideal for those who prefer to collect their renewed license in person without having to wait in long queues.
Overall, the RTA offers two convenient options for collecting and delivering renewed driving licenses, making the process quick and hassle-free for customers.
Digital Driving Licence Options
Dubai has made significant progress in digitizing its driving license renewal process. This has made it easier for residents to renew their driving licenses without visiting physical offices. The digital driving license options available include the Dubai Drive App and Apple Wallet Integration.
Dubai Drive App
The Dubai Drive App is a mobile application that enables residents to renew their driving licenses from the comfort of their homes. The app provides a simple and easy-to-use interface that guides users through renewal. Users can also track the status of their renewal application through the app.
To renew a driving license using the Dubai Drive App, users need to download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store. They will then need to create an account and follow the instructions provided on the app. The app also provides information on the documents required for renewal and the fees involved.
Apple Wallet Integration
Dubai has also introduced Apple Wallet Integration for driving licenses. This feature enables residents to store their driving licenses on their iPhones. Users can access their digital driving license by tapping their iPhones on an NFC reader. This eliminates the need for physical driving licenses and makes it easier for residents to carry their driving licenses with them.
To use the Apple Wallet Integration feature, users need to renew their driving licenses through the Dubai Drive App. Once the renewal process is complete, users can add their driving license to their Apple Wallet. The digital driving license is then available for use on their iPhones.
Overall, Dubai’s digital driving license options have made it easier for residents to renew their driving licenses. The Dubai Drive App and Apple Wallet Integration provide convenient and secure ways for residents to access their driving licenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the steps to renew a driving license online in Dubai?
To renew a driving license online in Dubai, one needs to follow these steps:
- Download and install the RTA Dubai app on your smartphone.
- Create a new account or log in to your existing account.
- Select the “Driving Licence” option.
- Choose “Renew Driving Licence.”
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the renewal process.
What is the current fee for driving license renewal in Dubai?
The fee for driving license renewal in Dubai is AED 300 for a 10-year renewal and AED 150 for a 5-year renewal.
Is there a grace period for UAE driving license renewal?
There is a grace period of 30 days for UAE driving license renewal. If the driver fails to renew the license within 30 days, a fine of AED 10 per month will be levied.
What are the new rules regarding driving license renewal in Dubai?
The new rules regarding driving license renewal in Dubai require drivers to settle all their traffic fines before renewing their license. Additionally, drivers who have not renewed their license for more than two years will have to take a driving test before renewing their license.
How long is a renewed UAE driving license valid?
A renewed UAE driving license is valid for ten years for UAE and GCC citizens and five years for residents.
Where can I complete an eye test for driving license renewal in Dubai?
An eye test for driving license renewal in Dubai can be completed at an RTA-approved driving school or by an optician.
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