Comprehensive Guide to Renew Your Driving License in Dubai
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Discover how to renew your driving license in Dubai efficiently. Learn eligibility criteria, necessary documents, renewal methods, fees, and FAQs
- Understand the eligibility criteria and necessary documents for renewing your driving license in Dubai.
- Explore various renewal methods including RTA call center, Customer Happiness Centers, online renewal, Dubai Drive Mobile App, and self-service machines.
- Get insights into the fee structure, fines for delay, processing time, and validity periods.
Navigating the roads of Dubai can be an exhilarating experience. With more than 1.8 million registered vehicles and over 2.5 million licensed drivers as of 2020, it's evident that driving is a crucial part of life in Dubai. However, it's essential to ensure your driving license is always valid. In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn how to renew your driving license in Dubai.
Eligibility Criteria
To renew your driving license in Dubai, you need to be a citizen, a resident, or an individual customer owning a valid driving license.
Necessary Documents
Renewing your driving license in Dubai requires specific documents. They are:
- Emirates ID (for all candidates regardless of age)
- Eye test report (only for applicants above 21 years)
You can get your eyes tested at any RTA approved eye testing centre or Customer Happiness Centres.
Eye Test Centres
An eye test is a prerequisite for renewing your driving license in Dubai if you're above 21 years. The fees for this test vary from AED 150 to AED 170 depending on the testing centre. Here are some RTA approved centres:
- Dubai Optical
- Address: Dubai Optical Group, 402, Apricot Tower, Dubai Silicon Oasis
- Contact number: +971 4 397 6549
- Yateem Optician
- Address: Yateem Optician Dubai Office, Yateem Group, Al Quoz 4, Dubai-UAE
- Contact number: +971-4-5066000
- Malak Typing – Photocopying & Optical
- Address: Shaikh Zayed Road Al Quoz Industrial Area 2, Dubai
- Emirates Driving Institute – Eye Test Facility
- Address: Emirates Driving Institute (EDI), P.O Box: 20948, Al Qusais
- Contact number: +971 4 263 1100
Other approved eye testing centres include Barakat Optical, Al Jaber Optical Centre, Executive Optical Centre, International Optical, Leen Optics, Grand Optics, Rivoli Eye Zone, and Magrabi Optical.
Renewal Process
The RTA has introduced several methods to facilitate the renewal of your driving license in Dubai. Remember, you can only renew your license after paying all incurred traffic fines.
RTA Call Centre
You can easily renew your license by calling the RTA Dubai call centre at 8009090. Here's the process:
- Provide your driving license number to the call centre representative.
- Pay the charges via credit card.
- You'll receive your temporary driving license at your given email address while your original license is being processed.
- The temporary license remains valid for 5 to 15 days, varying case by case.
- Once your original license is ready, you can pick it up from Customer Happiness Centres in Deira or Al Barsha.
- You can also opt for delivery via courier at an additional cost of AED 25.
Customer Happiness Centres and Service Centres
These centres also offer eye testing facilities, saving you the hassle of going to different places. The centres include:
- Customer Happiness Centre – Umm Ramool
- Customer Happiness Centre – Al Manarah
- Customer Happiness Centre – Al Towar
- Customer Happiness Centre – Deira
- Customer Happiness Centre – Al Barsha
- Customer Happiness Centre – Al Kifaf
Also, Hatta Tasjeel Centre doesn't offer eye testing but you can visit for license renewal.
RTA Official Website
Renewing your license online through the official RTA website is also an option. Follow these steps:
- Log on to the official RTA website
- Navigate to the 'Services' tab and click on 'Drivers and Car Owners'
- Select 'Renewal' in the Range of Services
- Click on 'Driving Licence Renewal Request'
- Follow the steps accordingly
- Pay the service charges and fines if applicable
- You'll receive your temporary driving license at your given email address, while the original one is being processed
- Once your original license is ready, you can pick it from Customer Happiness Centres in Deira or Al Barsha.
- You can also opt for delivery via courier at an additional cost of AED 25.
Dubai Drive Mobile Application
The Dubai Drive Mobile App, available on Google Play Store and iPhone App Store, is another convenient way to renew your license.
Self Service Machines
Dubai driving license renewal is facilitated by self-service machines, also known as RTA kiosks. The process is similar to that of the Service Centres. You'll find these machines at:
- Customer Happiness Centre – Umm Ramool
- Customer Happiness Centre – Deira
- Customer Happiness Centre – Al Barsha
- Customer Happiness Centre – Al Manarah
- Customer Happiness Centre – Al Towar
- Customer Happiness Centre – Al Kifaf
- Tasjeel Al Tawar
- Barsha Tasjeel
- Quick Cars Testing
- Muhaisna Shamil
- Tamam Vehicle Testing
- Al Qusais Tasjeel
- Wasel Belhasa
Fee Structure
The cost of renewing your license in Dubai depends on your age. Applicants younger than 21 years are charged AED 100, with an additional AED 20 for knowledge and innovation fees. For applicants who are above 21 years old, the charges would be AED 300, with an additional AED 20 for knowledge and innovation.
Fines for Delay
If you delay renewing your license, you'll have to pay fines. If your license hasn't been renewed for less than 10 years, you'll pay AED 10 every month, up to a maximum of AED 500.
Processing Time and Validity
If you're 21 years or above, you can renew your license a year before its expiry. If you're above 21, you can renew it a month before expiry. The estimated processing time on average is 3 to 5 working days.
Your license must be with you and valid for renewal. Temporary licenses cannot be renewed.
The license for customers below 21 years remains valid for a year. For citizens above 21 years, the validity is 10 years, and for residents and GCC citizens, it's 5 years.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it possible to renew my Dubai driving license without a residence visa?
No, a residence visa and an Emirates ID are necessary for driving license renewal.
Can I renew my Dubai driving license in Abu Dhabi?
Yes, you can renew your license online in Abu Dhabi, provided all traffic files are in accordance with the Abu Dhabi residence visa.
Always ensure your driving license is valid in the UAE. If you haven't renewed your license for over 10 years, you'll need to pass a road test before renewal. If you're looking to buy a car, consider opting for used cars in Dubai. Stay tuned for more information about driving rules, traffic laws, and more.
