Guide to Renewing Your Driving Licence in Dubai
Owning a car is never a hassle in this Dubai. As of 2020, the number of registered vehicles in Dubai has surpassed 1.8 million, whereas the number of driving licences is over 2.5 million. The government has implemented strict driving rules and laws to manage the massive number of vehicles on the road.
Given these facts, it’s important that you don’t drive with an expired licence. Here is a comprehensive guide on Dubai driving licence renewal so that you know every step involved, associated fees and from where you can renew it.
Eligibility Criteria for Dubai Driving Licence Renewal
Citizens, residents and individual customers can apply for renewal of their driving licence.
Documents Required for Dubai Driving Licence Renewal
Here is a list of documents that are mandatory to meet the Dubai driving licence renewal requirements as per RTA:
- Emirates ID for candidates younger and older than 21 years
- Eye testing report only for applicants older than 21 years
You need to get your eyes tested from one of the RTA approved eye testing centres or Customer Happiness Centres. This is mandatory for driving licence renewal in Dubai.
Eye Test Centres in Dubai
Dubai driving licence renewal process is incomplete without an eyesight test from RTA approved eye testing centres. All applicants above 21 years are supposed to get their eyesight tested. The eye testing charges for driving licence renewal in Dubai may vary from centre to centre. The charges are around AED 150 to AED 170. We have compiled a list of these centres with their contact information so you can easily locate them:
- 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
- Salik Optical
Address: 66 18 C St – Al SafaAl Safa 2 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Barakat Optical
Address: Dubai-Al Ain Road (E 66 Road) – Dubai Outlet Mall – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Contact number: +971 4 425 9816
- Belhasa Driving Centre
Contact number: 800 2354272
Other RTA approved eye testing centres in Dubai are Barakat Optical, Al Jaber Optical Centre, Executive Optical Centre, International Optical, Leen Optics, Grand Optics, Rivoli Eye Zone and Magrabi Optical.
How to Renew Driving Licence in Dubai
If your licence is about to expire, you can apply for Dubai driving licence renewal through any of the following channels introduced by RTA for your convenience. Irrespective of which channel you choose, you can renew the licence only if you have paid all the incurred traffic fines.
RTA Call Center
If your driving licence is about to expire, you can easily renew it by calling the RTA Dubai call centre at 8009090. The process is detailed below:
- The call centre representative will ask for the driving licence number
- You will then have to pay the charges via credit card
- You will receive your temporary driving licence at your given email address while the original one is in process
- The temporary driving licence remains valid for 5 to 15 days. The validity period, however, varies from case to case
- Once your original licence is ready, you can pick it from Customer Happiness Centres in Deira or Al Barsha
- Also, you can get it delivered via courier at an additional cost of AED 25
Customer Happiness Centers and Service Centers
We have listed down Dubai driving licence renewal centres that also offer eye testing facilities. This way, you don’t have to go from one place to another to complete the renewal process.
- 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
Besides, the Hatta Tasjeel Centre is basically the service centre that does not feature an eye testing facility. However, you can head to this centre for Dubai driving licence renewal.
The process of renewal at the above-listed service and customer happiness centres are detailed as under:
- Get your eyes tested
- Pay the fine (if any)
- Apply for driving licence renewal
- Pay the required fees
- Print the driving licence from the centre
RTA Dubai Official Website
You can also apply for Dubai driving licence renewal online on the official RTA website. Here is a step by step guide on how to renew the driving licence in Dubai through the RTA website:
- Log on to official RTA website
- Navigate to the ‘Services’ tab and Click ‘Drivers and Car Owners’
- Check the Range of Services and Select ‘Renewal’
- Click on ‘Driving Licence Renewal Request’
- You will be directed to the ‘Apply for Driving Licence Renewal’ page
- Click on Apply Now
- Follow the steps accordingly
- Pay the service charges and fines if applicable
- You will receive your temporary driving licence at your given email address, while original is in process
- Once your original licence is ready you can pick it from Customer Happiness Centres in Deira or Al Barsha
- Also, you can get it delivered via courier at an additional cost of AED 25
Dubai Drive Mobile Application
Dubai Drive Mobile App is another convenient way to renew your driving licence. You can easily download the app from Google Play Store and iPhone App Store.
Self Service Machines
Dubai driving licence renewal is facilitated by self-service machines, also referred to as RTA kiosks. The process is similar to that of the Service Centres.
Here is a list of places, where you will spot self-service machines. Most of the kiosks are located at the service centres, while the rest you can find elsewhere in the city:
- 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
Service Charges for Dubai Driving Licence Renewal
Dubai driving licence renewal fees is dependent on the age of the applicant. Here is a breakdown of the service charges:
- Applicants younger than 21 years are charged AED 100 for Dubai driving licence renewal. AED 20 is additional for knowledge and innovation fees.
- For applicants above 21 years of age, Dubai driving licence renewal charges are AED 300 and AED 20 additional is for knowledge and innovation.
This is the Dubai driving licence renewal fees in 2021 updated on the official RTA website.
Fines for Delaying Dubai Driving Licence Renewal
You have to bear fines for delaying Dubai driving licence renewal. For instance, if you have not renewed the licence for less than 10 years, you are liable to pay AED 10 every month that may reach up to a fine of a maximum of AED 500.
Processing Time and Validity for Dubai Driving Licence Renewal
A Dubai driving licence can be renewed a year before the expiry if you are 21 years or above. Whereas 21+ years old customers can renew their licence just 1 month before the expiry. The average processing time of Dubai driving licence renewal is 3 to 5 working days.
It is worthy to note that the driving licence that needs renewal must be with the owner and valid. Moreover, you cannot renew temporary driving licences.
Talking about the validity, the driving licence of customers below 21 years remains valid for a year. The driving licence of all citizens above 21 years remains valid for 10 years, whereas, for residents and GCC citizens’ driving licence remains valid for 5 years.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I Get Dubai Driving Licence Renewal Without a Residence Visa?
No, you must have a residence visa to apply for a Dubai driving licence renewal. An Emirates ID is a mandatory requirement for obtaining and renewing a driving licence.
Can I Renew My Dubai Driving Licence in Abu Dhabi?
Yes, you can renew your Dubai driving licence in Abu Dhabi online. Make sure the traffic system has all the traffic files as per the Abu Dhabi residence visa.
Remember, it is mandatory in the UAE to have a legitimate driving licence, so make sure your permit always remains valid. Moreover, be aware of traffic fines in Dubai before you drive out on the road again.
Besides, if you have not renewed your driving licence for 10 plus years, you will have to pass the road test first. Once you successfully pass this test, you can renew the licence. If you want to buy a car to hone your driving skills again, you can choose from the used car for sale in Dubai. Take a look at the available options below:
- Used Mercedes-Benz in Dubai for sale
- Second-hand Audi for sale in Dubai
- Second-hand Land Rover in Dubai online for sale
- Used BMW in Dubai online for sale
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information about driving rules, traffic laws and a lot more.