Newly issued driving licences in Sharjah are valid for two years. Once it expires, motorists must apply for licence renewal to continue driving legally in the emirate. Thankfully, the Sharjah driving licence renewal process is now largely digital and can be completed online via the Ministry of Interior (MOI) platforms or in person.
To avoid penalties, your licence must be renewed on time. We have explained the process to renew a driving licence in Sharjah, including eligibility, timelines, required documents, fees and application methods.
Renewal Timing and Grace Period for Sharjah Driving Licence
A Sharjah driving licence can be renewed up to six months before its expiry date. Once the licence expires, a 30-day grace period applies. If the licence is not renewed within the grace period, a monthly late fee of AED 10 is charged, with a maximum total of AED 500.
Moreover, if a driving licence remains expired for more than 10 years, the driver must retake and pass the driving test to renew it.
How and Where to Renew Your Sharjah Driving Licence
Renewing your Sharjah driving licence can be done both online and in person, giving you flexibility depending on your preference and convenience.
Online Renewal
Online renewal remains the most commonly used option for driving licence renewal in Sharjah. The process is carried out via:
- The Ministry of Interior (MOI) UAE App (Android | iOS)
- The Ministry of Interior (MOI) website MOI e‑services portal
These platforms allow licence holders to log in with UAE PASS, upload documents including eye test results, pay fees and receive a temporary digital licence without needing to visit a centre in person.
Step-by-step Online Renewal:
- Open the MOI UAE App or visit the MOI e‑services portal.
- Log in using UAE PASS or MOI credentials.
- Navigate to ‘traffic and licensing’ services.
- Select the driving licence renewal option.
- Upload the required documents and confirm the eye test record.
- Pay any applicable fees via the online payment gateway.
- Once approved, a temporary digital licence is usually issued, which can be used until the physical licence is delivered or collected.
Note: Always check the MOI portal for any recent updates or additional steps.
In‑Person Renewal
Alternatively, you can renew your Sharjah driving licence in person at Customer Happiness Centres or Sharjah traffic licensing offices, such as the Traffic and Licensing Services Centre in Al Ramtha. Opening hours and available services may vary, it’s recommended to confirm with the relevant authority before visiting.
To renew in person, you will need to:
- Bring all required documents, including your original licence, Emirates ID and any applicable medical certificates.
- Submit the renewal application form at the counter.
- Pay the renewal fee. In most cases, the renewed licence is issued immediately; however, in certain situations, additional checks may delay issuance by a few days.
Required Documents
The documents usually required for driving licence renewal in Sharjah include:
- Original Emirates ID
- Current or recently expired Sharjah driving licence
- Valid eye test report uploaded to the MOI system
- Recent passport-size photographs, if required by the system
Eye Test Requirements
Eye test results used for licence renewal are generally valid for up to three years. These tests must be conducted at centres approved by the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) or recognised optical providers. Results are usually uploaded directly to the police/MOI system and do not need to be submitted manually.
Outstanding Traffic Fines
Make sure all outstanding traffic fines are settled before submitting a licence renewal application, as some systems may block the process until fines are cleared. Renewal applications can be processed via the MOI app or e-services portal, Sharjah Police services, or self-service kiosks, depending on availability.
Sharjah traffic fines can be checked and paid through MOI digital services or other official UAE government platforms, including:
- Sharjah Police website and app
- Emirates Vehicle Gate (EVG)
- Self-service kiosks / Sahl devices
- Sharjah Police or Customer Happiness Centres
- Tasjeel and other authorised service centres
Moreover, if your car is registered in Dubai, you may be able to view and pay fines issued elsewhere (including Sharjah) using the DubaiNow app under its ‘Traffic Fines’ service. Additionally, some banks in the UAE allow payment of traffic fines via online banking or ATM services if your Emirates ID and vehicle details are linked to your bank account.
These options make sure traffic fines in Sharjah are cleared before licence renewal.
Sharjah Driving Licence Renewal Fees
The fees associated with Sharjah driving licence renewal may vary by age group and additional services, such as delivery. Typical fee elements include:
- Renewal fee (applicants below 21 years): around AED 100
- Renewal fee (applicants 21 years and above): around AED 300
- Federal Knowledge and Innovation fees (nominal amounts)
- Fees for eye test if needed
- Optional delivery fee for the physical licence card: around AED 15
Fees are set by the Ministry of Interior and may be updated periodically in official schedules published by the ministry or related authorities. Payments are processed through secure digital payment gateways on the MOI platform.
Validity of a Renewed Driving Licence in Sharjah
The validity of a renewed driving licence depends on the licence holder’s nationality and age.
For UAE and GCC nationals, renewed licences are generally issued with a validity of up to 10 years. For residents aged 21 and above, renewed licences in Sharjah are usually valid for up to five years. Applicants under the age of 21 are usually issued licences with a validity of one year.
FAQs
For how long is a renewed licence valid?
For UAE and GCC nationals, renewed licences are often valid for up to 10 years; residents aged 21 or above may have licences valid for up to five years. For those under 21, the renewed licence is generally valid for one year.
Who can I contact with queries about licence renewal?
The Ministry of Interior helpline at 800‑5000 is published as a contact point for general enquiries about renewal and other driving licence services.
Can I renew my Sharjah licence from another emirate?
Yes. Online renewal via MOI digital services can usually be completed from anywhere within the UAE.
How can I verify the latest requirements for renewing a driving licence in Sharjah?
For the most up‑to‑date official information, users are advised to consult the MOI e‑services portal (moi.gov.ae) or contact the relevant traffic licensing authority directly.
This is everything to know about Sharjah driving licence renewal. Timely renewal of a Sharjah driving licence helps maintain legality on the roads and avoids fines for expired licences. Renewal services are integrated with UAE federal systems and local authority systems in Sharjah and the MOI App or e‑services portal is the primary source for online renewal. You can also go through these important FAQs for Sharjah driving licence to understand the procedure easily.
Moreover, if you are in search of another car, go through these used cars for sale in Sharjah and pick the one that best suits your driving preferences.
Stay tuned to dubizzle auto blog for more on licence renewals across the UAE.
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