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dubai residents can now skip driving classes & go straight to test; here’s how

socialkanduraeditor1 May 20232 Mins read

Getting a driving licence in the UAE is no walk in the park. Agree? Well, this process just got easier, thanks to RTA’s new ‘Golden Initiative’. According to the new initiative, Dubai residents can now obtain a driving licence without having to take lessons. Find out how.

Also Read: Your Guide To Getting A Driving License In Dubai

Table of Contents

What are the new rules & how can you apply for the Golden Initiative?

As per the RTA’s new ‘Golden Initiative’, Dubai residents who wish to surpass the classes must hold a valid licence from their home countries. In addition, they must also pass the RTA driving exams- both theory and road test — in one take. The new initiative came into effect on 1 April.

The new initiative gives expats a one time chance to breeze through the process of obtaining a driving licence in the UAE, which can otherwise be quite tedious. Residents who fail the one-time test, will have to enrol for regular classes.

To apply for the Golden Chance initiative, you can visit a driving centre. The cost for the process will vary depending on the driving school you pick. However, this would approximately be around AED2,200. The cost will cover the costs of opening a file, tests, licence issuance etc.

In case you wish to take prior training before the test, you can do so at an additional cost.

Also Read: HH Sheikh Mohammed Issues New Law On Driverless Vehicles; AED50,000 Fine Announced For Violators

residents from which countries are exempt from a driving licence test in the UAE?

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) offers a service that facilitates the exchange of driving licenses within the ‘Markhoos’ initiative. The new rule applies to select few countries whose licence-holders are exempt from it and allowed to drive in the country. Visitors from select countries have the right to drive with their national driving license or exchange it with a UAE license if they hold a residence permit.

According to a list posted on the MoI’s website, licence-holders from these 43 countries are allowed to swap a driving licence from their home country for a UAE licence: