RTA Services for People of Determination
The Road and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has set rules, regulations and services to benefit all the residents equally. Since its establishment in 2005, the RTA Dubai has put forward its framework in light of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
That said, RTA has designed spaces for people of determination (PoD) in buses, Dubai Metro and car driving and parking permits. Additionally, RTA Dubai has made the service information easily accessible for PoD.
RTA’s guide in Braille and multiple information channels are available to empower people of determination and learn about services conveniently. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the RTA services for PoD.
FACILITIES FOR PEOPLE OF DETERMINATION IN DUBAI

From public transportation in Dubai to parking permits, RTA provides services to the PoD efficiently. Furthermore, all the RTA customer happiness centres and public transport stations cater to the needs of people of determination with the following initiatives:
- Wheelchair accessibility
- CCTV footage for hearing-impaired people
- Tactile floor paths for the visually impaired people
- Designated counters for PoD at the service centres and metro and bus stations
- Wheelchair-friendly ticket-selling booths
- Designated parking spaces for PoD near bus and metro stations
Let’s go through the complete details of the RTA services for PoD and how they are made more accessible and user-friendly for people of determination.
TRANSPORT FACILITIES PEOPLE OF DETERMINATION IN DUBAI

Road and marine public transport in Dubai offer spacious entrances and separate spaces for the people or determination. Besides, water buses, Dubai Ferry, and buses have foldable seats to accommodate wheelchairs. Also, ferry and water buses include LCD monitors to display necessary information.
RTA services for PoD include a Dubai nol card as well. Although metro and public buses in Dubai allow free travelling for PoD passengers, this nol PoD card facilitates passengers to pay for water buses and parking services.
This silver nol card for PoD is worth AED 70 (AED 50 is for the personalised card purchase and AED 20 is the initial amount available on the card). The PoD can obtain a gold nol card design by paying AED 10 more than the silver card.
Additionally, the validity of this card is five years and can be renewed at a similar value. This personalised nol card ensures that people of determination can use public transport services in Dubai.
DRIVING FACILITIES FOR POD
Several driving facilities for people of determination in the UAE are available. RTA services for PoD include driving licences for people with special needs. The PoD can obtain a driving licence in Dubai through the following steps:
- Submit Emirates ID or residence visa
- Medical report
- Eye test from any optical centre authorised by RTA
- Passport copies
- No objection certificate from the sponsor
- Original driving licence of the home country
Besides, if the people of determination have PoD cards in the UAE, it will benefit them with multiple other services. There are special driving courses for people of determination in Dubai that can help them get the licence.
RTA POD PARKING SERVICES

People of determination can apply for permanent or temporary parking permits. Permanent parking permits for PoD have a 3-year validity, whereas temporary parking permits are valid for one year.
One can apply for PoD permanent parking permits in Dubai by submitting the following documents:
- Emirates ID or residence visa
- PoD card issued by the Ministry of Community Development or Sanad card issued by the Community Development Authority
- Valid medical report (not more than six months old)
- Applicant’s photographs
Furthermore, temporary parking permits for PoD in Dubai can be obtained in the same way as permanent parking permits. RTA has designated parking spaces for PoD where they can park their vehicles for free.
SALIK CHARGES FOR PEOPLE WITH DETERMINATION

People of determination can apply for exemption from Dubai Salik fees. To benefit from this RTA service for PoD, they will need to submit the following documents:
- Valid vehicle registration card of the PoD or their first or second-degree relatives
- Applicant’s Emirates ID copy
- PoD card or Sanad card
- If the applicant cannot drive, submit the RTA commitment application form
After the Salik tag expires, applicants need to apply for its renewal. Moreover, People of determination need to cancel their previous Salik fee exemptions when they change their cars.
PEOPLE OF DETERMINATION TAXIS IN DUBAI

RTA has included people of determination taxis in Dubai with the same fares as the regular cabs in the Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) fleet. The PoD taxis include the following facilities:
- Special lifts for the wheelchairs
- Artificial respiratory systems
- A wheelchair
- Seats for the passengers accompanying the people of determination
That wraps the complete guide to all the RTA services for PoD. These services align with the government’s initiative, ‘My community is a home for all’. Although these services ease travelling for PoD in the Emirate, they can still opt for used cars in Dubai and convert them into wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
Besides, they can opt for PoD vehicles with user-friendly features and apply for driving licences through RTA’s people of determination services.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s top auto blog to learn more about various services and initiatives by transport authorities in the Emirates.