How to renew a driving license in Dubai is a common question for many residents who want to continue driving without any trouble. The renewal procedure can be rather confusing at first but once familiarised with it, you’ll see that there’s nothing too comp;licated about it. All drivers living in Dubai including expats need to renew their driving license to remain legally able to drive within Dubai. So if you plan out the way ahead, there will be no issues or need to rush through things just before the deadline.
There are large penalties and fines for driving a vehicle with an expired license under UAE law. Therefore, timely renewal is essential in order to avoid these large penalties and fines. As a convenience to the busy working class population of the city, the authorities now offer an online process for renewing your driving license in Dubai. Citizens can use digital services to complete the process in a relatively short period of time and without having to wait in long lines.
Driving Licence Renewal Rules in Dubai
Dubai has guidelines established by authorities on how residents can renew driver’s licenses. UAE and GCC citizens can renew their license for a period of ten years. On the other hand, residents can renew their license for a maximum of five years. One of the requirements before beginning the renewal process is to make sure that all traffic fines are paid because authorities will not renew if there are unpaid fines.
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Resident Status and Validity Period of Renewal
Citizens from the UAE and GCC countries have a longer renewal period than expats. For example, an expat may renew their driver’s license for a maximum of 5 years, while a UAE or GCC citizen may renew their driver’s license for 10 years.
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Clearing Fines Before Renewal
If there are outstanding fines, expats will need to pay these in full prior to submitting their renewal application for a driver’s license in Dubai.
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Late Renewal Charges
If a renewal application is submitted after more than 1 month from the expiration date, a late penalty of AED 10 per month will be assessed.
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Authority Responsible for Renewal
RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) will manage and renew all expats, GCC and UAE citizen driver’s licenses. They will manage and renew through all official channels including e-services, RTA approved agencies, and other methods established by the RTA.
Online Driving Licence Renewal Through RTA in Dubai
Renewing a driving license online in Dubai using the RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) is easy. The system walks drivers through several steps so drivers can finish renewing their license without needing to go to a service centre. However, before starting the online application, drivers must have completed an electronic eye test at an authorised eye test centre. The online system will assist in completing the renewal after confirming the driver’s identity, checking traffic records and processing the required payment.
Complete the Electronic Eye Test
Once they have completed the electronic eye test at an authorized eye test centre, the driver’s test result will be stored in the system, so that it is available when they complete the renewal process.
Enter Emirates ID or Licence Details
After logging onto the RTA website, drivers will need to enter either their Emirates ID information or the information for their Emirates driving license number will be automatically retrieved from the driver’s record.
Identity Verification Through OTP
Once the driver has entered the Emirates ID or driving license number into the RTA system, the system will send the driver a one-time password (OTP) to the driver’s registered mobile number. The driver must enter the OTP code to confirm their identity.
Submit the Renewal Request
After identity certification is successfully completed, drivers can now complete the application process for their driving license renewal through the RTA website.
Traffic File Verification
The system verifies the status of all traffic files to ensure that they contain only valid records.
Review Licence Information
Upon receipt of the new drivers license, each driver should carefully verify their own drivers license information.
Pay Renewal Fees and Fines
Once payment for all required fees associated with renewing their license and payment for any outstanding fines are made, the process will be considered complete.
Temporary Driving Licence by Email
While awaiting the delivery of their physical drivers license, each driver will be sent a temporary electronic license via e-mail.
Options for Licence Collection or Delivery
Drivers can pick up their renewed drivers license from one of the customer Happiness Centre located in Deira or Al Barsha, or they can have their license delivered to them for a fee:
- Standard Delivery – AED 20
- Same Day Delivery – AED 35
- Delivery in 2 Hours – AED 50
- International Delivery – AED 50
Electronic Licence Through Mobile Devices
Drivers who use Apple devices can also receive an electronic license in Apple Wallet through the RTA Dubai Application.
Fast Printing at RTA Happiness Centres
Drivers can go directly to one of the RTA Happiness Centres to print their renewed drivers licenses in less than 3 minutes by providing the following basic information:
- License Number
- Year of Birth
- Traffic Code number
- Source of the License
Important Details About Driving Licence Renewal in Dubai
For anyone wishing to renew a driving license, there are some essential points relating to eligibility, documentation and fee that you should know. To keep the process streamlined and efficient for the applicant, there are various regulations published by the authorities that govern the process. Both individual customers and residents will be able to request use of the service from the RTA (Roads and Transport Authority). While required documents and fees depend upon age or special category, the RTA determines the exact requirements of the renewal process.
Eligibility for Licence Renewal
All individual customers who are UAE citizens or residents have the ability to apply for a driving license renewal.
Required Documents
There are different types of documents required based on the customer type.
For customers younger than 21 years old
- Original valid Emirates ID card
For customers aged 21 years and above
- Original valid Emirates ID card
- Eye test specific to the class of license issued
For diplomats
- Written letter from Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Original Emirates ID ( If available )
- Diplomatic card for embassies, consulates, and International organisations instead of Emirates ID.
For People of Determination
- Copy of certificate of transfer to the doctor issued by the Licensing Agency.
- Complete medical examination at Rashid Hospital.
For Emirati passport holders without a family book (Marsoom holders)
- Valid passport copy
- Valid copy of Marsoom
For sons of Emirati women holding an Emirati passport
- Valid passport copy
- Copy of letter from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs indicating the fact that his mother is an Emirati citizen.
Driving Licence Renewal Fees
For customers younger than 21 years
The renewal fee for the driving license is AED 100 and there is an additional knowledge and innovation fee of AED 20. A mobile truck service fee for eye-testing or the renewal of the driving license is an additional charge of AED 500.
For customers aged 21 years and above
The renewal fee for the driving license is AED 300 and there is an additional knowledge and innovation fee of AED 20. A mobile truck service free for eye-testing or the renewal of the driving license is an additional charge of AED 500.
Delay Penalty
There is a delay penalty of AED 10 for each month after the expiry date of the driving license and the maximum penalty of AED 500.
Channels Available for Driving Licence Renewal in Dubai
Residents of Dubai are able to renew their drivers licenses using a number of different online and offline methods. Government authorities have made various digital platforms, smart apps, service centre locations, and self-service machines so drivers can access the license renewal services at their convenience and on their terms. The RTA ( Roads and TRansport Authority ) is responsible for providing many different avenues for completing the license renewal process.
Online Platforms for Licence Renewal
Drivers can apply to renew their licenses as long as they gave access to the following official websites or mobile application digital platforms:
- RTA Website
- Dubai Drive
- RTA Dubai
- RTA Partner Applications
- DubaiNow
Chatbot Assistance
In addition to using an online channel to complete the renewal process, drivers may also receive assistance from the Mahboub chatbot associated with:
- Mahboub chatbot on the RTA website
- Mahboub chatbot on RTA smart apps
Self-Service Machines and Service Centres
If drivers prefer in-person services, they may do so by visiting a self-service machine or Customer Happiness Centre found in numerous locations throughout Dubai, including:
- Customer Happiness Centre – Umm Ramool
- Customer Happiness Centre – Deira
- Customer Happiness Centre – Al Barsha
- Customer Happiness Centre – Al Manarah
- Customer Happiness Centre – Al Twar
- Customer Happiness Centre – Al Kaifaf
Vehicle Testing and Service Locations
The vehicle testing centres listed below can also provide services related to renewing your driver’s license:
- Tasjeel Al Twar
- Barsha Tasjeel
- Muhisna Shamil
- Tamam Vehicle Testing
- Al Qusais Tasjeel
- Wasel Vehicle Testing – Al Jaddaf
These service points allow drivers to complete license renewal through physical service counters or supported machines.
Things to Check Before Starting Driving Licence Renewal in Dubai
Drivers re-checking these factors will help make the application process go smoothly as the Roads and Transport Authority provides services for you to renew your drivers license in Dubai. There are many options to choose from at RTA to renew your driving license in Dubai.
Identify the Licence Category
- Find out the type of license you hold, is it a light vehicle, heavy vehicle or motorcycle.
- Renew your driving license as the same category of the license you currently hold.
Confirm Eligibility for Renewal
- You may begin the renewal process up to 30 days prior to the expiration date.
- If your current driving license is expired, you will have to pay a fine.
Select the Renewal Method
- You can complete the renewal process online by going to the RTA’s website.
- You can also use the RTA’s approved mobile applications to renew your driving license.
- You can also complete the renewal process at the RTA service centre.
Finale
How to renew a driving license in Dubai becomes easier once drivers understand the steps and requirements. Timely renewal allows individuals to avoid fees and maintain valid operation of vehicles throughout the UAE. Both online options and physical service facilities can assist with processing and enable drivers to complete their renewals quickly and easily. Al Riyady provides valuable information to help individuals in Dubai renew their driver’s license.
