Driving with an expired licence in Dubai can lead to fines and other legal issues, making timely renewal essential. The process for licence renewal in Dubai is convenient, but it varies slightly for UAE nationals, expats and GCC citizens. From eligibility to online application steps and fees, here’s everything you need to know about Dubai driving licence renewal.
Where Can I Renew My Driving Licence in Dubai
Applicants can renew their Dubai driving licence through a range of digital and in-person channels.
Online Channels
RTA Website, RTA Dubai App, Dubai Now App, Mahboub Chatbot on RTA Website and Mahboub Chatbot on RTA Smart Apps
Self-service Machines
The self-service machines or customer happiness centres can be used to renew a driving licence in Dubai.
- Tasjeel Al Tawar
- Barsha Tasjeel
- Muhaisna Shamil
- Tamam Vehicle Testing
- Al Qusais Tasjeel
- Al Jaddaf – Wasel Vehicle Testing
- 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 Kifaf – Customer Happiness Centre
Eye Test Centres
The following eye test centres also provide a licence renewal service in Dubai.
- Prime Medical Centre – Dubai International Airport
- Dubai Optical
- Yateem Optician
- Malak Typing – Photocopying & Optical
- Emirates Driving Institute – Eye Test
- Salik Optical
- Barakat Optical
- Belhasa Driving Centre – Eye Test
- Al Jaber Optical
- Executive Optics
- Apple International Optical
- Leen Optics
- Grand Optics
- Rivoli EyeZone
- Magrabi Optical
Driving Institutes
Driving licence renewal services are also available at several authorised driving institutes across various locations in Dubai.
| Institute | Branch/Area | Contact Number |
| Belhasa Driving Centre | Al Wasl | 04-3243535 |
| Belhasa Driving Centre | Jebel Ali | 04-8817171 |
| Belhasa Driving Centre | Nad Al Hammar | 04-2895908 |
| Belhasa Driving Centre | Al Qouz 4 | 04-5091200 |
| Belhasa Driving Centre | Al Qusais 2 | 04-2108333 |
| Dubai Driving Centre | Jumeirah | 04-3455855 |
| Dubai Driving Centre | Al Qouz Industrial 3 | 04-3236000 |
| Dubai Driving Centre | Al Qusais 1 | 04-2381115 |
| Dubai Driving Centre | Al Khail | 04-4048000 |
| Dubai International Driving Centre (Drive Dubai) | Dubai Investment Park 2 | 04-8855118 |
| Galadari Motor Driving Centre | Al Qusais 4 | 04-2676166 |
| Galadari Motor Driving Centre | Al Qouz 3 | 04-4043401 |
| Emirates Driving Institute | Al Qusais 1 | 04-2631100 |
| Emirates Driving Institute | Al Qouz 3 | 04-2631100 |
| Emirates Driving Institute | Hatta | 04-2311916 |
| Emirates Transport Driving Institute | Warsan 3 | 8006006 |
| Excellence Driving Centre | Al Quoz Industrial 1 | 600515154 |
| Excellence Driving Centre | Al Qusais Industrial 5 | 600515154 |
| Excellence Driving Centre | Port Rashid (Jumeirah) | 04-5280744 |
| Bin Yaber Driving Centre | Al Rowayyah | 04-2156000 |
| Bin Yaber Driving Centre | Jebel Ali | 04-2156000 |
| Eco Drive Driving Institute | Dubai Industrial City | 600595959 |
| Al Ahli Driving Centre | Al Quoz Industrial 4 | 04-3411500 |
How to Renew a Driving Licence in Dubai
Drivers can renew their licence through the RTA Dubai website, mobile app or authorised service centres. Before starting the process, it is mandatory to complete an eye test at an RTA-approved centre.
The renewal steps may vary slightly depending on the chosen channel and delivery method. While the digital licence is issued free of charge, physical copies incur the following delivery fees:
- Standard delivery: AED 20
- Same-day delivery: AED 35
- Delivery within 2 hours: AED 50
- International delivery: AED 50
Through the RTA Website
The Dubai driving licence renewal via RTA’s official website includes the following steps:
- Step 1: Log in to the RTA’s website through ‘Emirates ID’, ‘Passport’ or ‘UAE Pass’
- Step 2: Receive One Time Password (OTP) on the registered mobile number
- Step 3: Select ‘Renewing a Driving Licence’ and confirm all the details
- Step 4: Choose ‘Delivery Method’, the options include RTA App wallet, self-service machines or delivery service
- Step 5: Pay the fee and clear all the remaining dues (if any)
- Step 6: Receive a digital licence through the RTA Dubai App or a physical copy through self self-service machine or a delivery service
Through the Smart App
The process of licence renewal in Dubai through the RTA Smart App includes the following steps:
- Step 1: Log in to the Smart App and click ‘Driving Licence Renewal’
- Step 2: Scan the QR code from the licence or enter ‘Driving Licence Number’, ‘Issue Date’, ‘Birth Year’ and ‘Traffic Code Number’
- Step 3: Pay the Dubai driving licence renewal fees and settle all the dues
- Step 4: Receive the licence digitally through the RTA Dubai App or physically through a self-service machine or a delivery service
Through Mahboub Chatbot
The process of licence renewal in Dubai through the Mahboub Chatbot is carried out through these steps:
- Step 1: Type ‘Renew Driving Licence’ in the Mahboub chat box
- Step 2: Enter ‘Traffic File Number’, ‘Licence Issuance Date’, ‘Birth Year’ and ‘Driver Licence Number’
- Step 3: Pay the fee, settle dues and complete the application
- Step 4: Receive the licence digitally through the RTA Dubai App or physically through a self-service machine or a delivery service
Through Self-Service Machines
The process of renewing a Dubai driving licence via RTA’s smart kiosks can be completed through the following steps:
Step 1: Visit the nearest Self-service machine and select ‘Renewing a Driving Licence’
Step 2: Provide all the required information and documents
Step 3: Pay the renewal fee and clear penalties and fines
Step 4: Receive a printed licence through the machine or digitally through the app
Through Eye Test Centres
Dubai driving licence renewal through Eye Test Centres entails the steps mentioned below:
- Step 1: Visit ‘RTA Approved Eye Test Centre’
- Step 2: Once done with the test, apply and clear all the dues
- Step 3: Receive the licence digitally or physically
Through Mobile Eye Test Trucks
The steps for driving licence renewal in Dubai include the following procedure:
- Step 1: Call ‘Al Jaber Optical (045220000)’ and request the mobile truck service at per convenience
- Step 2: Settle all required fees and outstanding fines
- Step 3: Receive the licence digitally via the RTA Dubai App or physically through a kiosk or a delivery service
Processing Time for Dubai Driving Licence Renewal
Renewing a driving licence in the UAE through the RTA website, Smart App, self-service machines or Mahboub Chatbot results in immediate issuance. However, when processed through an eye test centre, the time may vary depending on several factors.
To replace or amend information in the driving licence, the process time is 5 minutes.
Documents Required for Dubai Driving Licence Renewal
The documents required for renewing a driving licence in Dubai vary based on the applicant’s nationality, residency status and licence category.
For all Nationalities
- Valid Emirates ID
- Eye test with a validity of 2 years
- If the applicant’s profession is listed as ‘Driver’, a medical fitness test from an RTA-accredited hospital is mandatory.
For Diplomats
- A letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Emirates ID (if applicable) or diplomatic card issued to embassies, consulates or international organisations
For People of Determination
- A copy of the Certificate of Transfer to the doctor issued by the Licensing Agency is required for applicants with physical disabilities that may affect their ability to drive. The medical test must be completed at Rashid Hospital.
For Emirati passport holders without a family book (Marsoom holders)
- Passport (Original)
- Marsoom (Copy)
For Emirati passport holders, sons of Emirati women
- Passport (Copy)
- Copy of a letter issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs confirming the mother’s Emirati nationality.
Dubai Driving Licence Renewal Fees
The Dubai driving licence renewal fee is as follows:
- Driver’s licence renewal fees (age less than 21 years): AED 100
- Driver’s licence renewal fees (age above 21 years): AED 300
- Knowledge and innovation fee: AED 20
- Electronic eye test fee: AED 140 to AED 180
- Mobile truck fee (if applicable): AED 500
A delay fine of AED 10 is charged for each month from the licence expiry date, up to a maximum of AED 500. If the licence has expired for more than 10 years, only the standard renewal fees and an evaluation test are required.
Dubai Driving Licence Renewal Terms and Conditions
Applicants must meet the following terms and conditions before proceeding with driving licence renewal.
- The eye test is valid for six months from the date of issuance.
- All outstanding Dubai traffic fines must be paid.
- For applicants aged 21 years and above, the licence may be renewed up to one year before its expiry.
- For applicants below 21 years of age, renewal is permitted one month before the expiry date.
- Temporary or interim licences are not eligible for renewal.
- The applicant’s photograph is automatically retrieved from the Emirates ID.
- Diplomats, individuals without a family book (Marsoom) and sons of Emirati women must visit designated Customer Happiness Centres (Umm Ramool, Al Manarah, Al Twar, Deira, Al Barsha or Al Kifaf) to fulfil the additional requirements.
- The mobile truck can be requested for an eye test and licence renewal.
- The licence must be listed as ‘with owner’ in the system and must not have expired for more than 10 years.
- If the licence has expired for over 10 years, an evaluation test is required.
- If the licence has expired for over 10 years and includes different types of licence categories, passing the evaluation test for the light vehicle category is sufficient; the remaining categories will be reinstated on the renewed licence.
- Holders of licences from exception countries are exempt from the evaluation test, irrespective of nationality.
FAQs
A delay fine of AED 10 is charged monthly from the expiry date, up to a maximum of AED 500.
For applicants under the age of 21, the driving licence is valid for 1 year. For those aged 21 and above, the validity is 10 years for UAE and GCC citizens and 5 years for residents.
Yes, renewal can be completed instantly through RTA self-service kiosks located across Dubai.
This is the complete process of Dubai driving licence renewal, along with the applicable service charges and required documents. Staying compliant with renewal timelines is essential for meeting various legal obligations. A valid driving licence is also required for car ownership transfer. Whether opting for a new or used car for sale in Dubai, a valid driving licence is essential.
Stay connected with dubizzle’s auto blog for more information on the digital driving licence in the UAE.
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