Dubai is a city that has a strong dependence on the road network and therefore a valid driving license is a very important piece of documentation to any citizen. A driving license in Dubai has an expiry date and driving with an expired driving license would result in fines and penalties, in most situations just like any other official document. The Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has also simplified the process of renewal but when it comes to the renewal time, most of the residents are confused. It will be easier to navigate the process and to prevent unnecessary delays after finding out what rules to follow, which documents are needed, and how much it will cost.
Guidelines to the Renewal of Driving license in Dubai
The driving license provided in Dubai has various terms of their validity based on the nationality and age of the applicant. The duration of the license is normally ten years to UAE and GCC nationals and five years to the expatriates. The expiry of a license is subject to renewal although failure to do so on time would attract penalties. In case there is a lapse of over ten years since the expiry of a license, the applicants may even be re-examined with regards to the driving tests.
Another thing that should be mentioned is that the residents should possess a valid residence visa to renew their license. Applications that are undergoing renewal cannot be done in case the visa has expired or is in the process of being cancelled. Moreover, the RTA also demands that all outstanding traffic fines should be settled prior to renewal request approval.
Renewal of Documents
The RTA has made the requirements of the documentation easy but it remains a must that everything should be in order before applying. An original and copy of the Emirates ID is also required since it is the main identification of residents. The applicant should also give the driving license which is due to expire or is expired. The other important necessity is having a recent eye test report, which should be taken in an RTA approved optical center.
Additional medical reports can be ordered in case of the residents of a certain age or with particular medical conditions. However, irrespective of the age, eye examination is mandatory to all applicants, and the findings are electronically connected to the RTA system. It is impossible to complete the renewal process unless this step is done.
The Renewal Process
Renewal process should be undertaken using some convenient channels once the required documents are ready. Numerous residents prefer to do it online on the webpage of the RTA, or in the mobile app, where people can scan documents and make payments. Others use smart kiosks that are found throughout Dubai and give a renewed license immediately after the application is accepted. In case the customer prefers to renew face-to-face, driving schools and RTA service centers do it as well.
The renewed license is issued on the same day on most occasions and this is an efficient and simple process. There are however delays that may occur when the traffic fines have not been paid, or where the Emirates ID has expired, or the eye test results have not been updated within the system.
Costs Involved in Renewal
The charges incurred in renewal are different depending on the circumstances and the age of the applicant. In the case of drivers who are below 21 years, the renewal fee is usually lower, and in the case of drivers who are 21 and above, the renewal fee is a little higher. Along with the renewal fees, the applicants are to bear the separate costs of the eye test that will be carried out at an optical center. In case the license is already expired then a late fine will be charged with each month of delay limited to a certain amount.
Those applicants who fail to renew within a long period of time might incur even greater costs. There are also instances whereby RTA makes people with expired licenses take retesting or even get another new license all over again. Another cost consideration that motorists will have to consider is clearing of outstanding fines before they can renew since the system does not enable renewal of fines pending the settlement of their dues.
Key Things to Keep in Mind
The Emirates ID and residence visa are also essential when intending to renew a driving license in Dubai. The fines on traffic have to be prepared beforehand, and any minor fines left unsatisfied may stop the course of their renewal. The other important activity is that one should schedule and do the eye test on time to prevent avoidable delays.
It is suggested that it should be applied a couple of weeks prior to the date of licence expiry. This makes sure that the driving laws in Dubai are met and the chances of being fined due to expired license are avoided. Pre-renewal also offers tranquility and will ensure that the people will not be stopped by lack of fuel to drive.
Conclusion
The process of renewing a driving license in Dubai is easy when one has some knowledge of the rules, papers and the fees required. The RTA has made the process very efficient with its numerous methods of renewing licenses such as online platforms, smart kiosks, and service centers. By planning ahead, paying fines and booking the mandatory eye test early, people living in Abu Dhabi should have a smooth process of renewal. Being proactive goes beyond ensuring that they do not attract penalties but also offers them unhindered access to the roads of the city making it both safe and lawful to drive in Dubai.
