Renew your driving license in UAE: Step by Step Guide

The UAE government has made it as easy as possible to renew your driving license; all you have to do is follow clearly outlined step-by-step instructions to complete the process. Driving in the UAE is a must as it is the easiest and fastest way to get anywhere in the country. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is making it even easier to renew your driving license as you can now do it by just entering your Emirates ID. Failure to renew your license on time can result in fines or penalties and the longer you wait the more it will cost.

You can renew your driving license using the RTA website, smartphone apps, smart kiosks (self-service smart machines), by calling the RTA call center at 800 9090 (Free Call) or by visiting an RTA Service center. The process is slightly different for people under the age of 21. Let’s break down the whole process and get you back on the road driving with a legal license.

Read More: Apply For Your Drivers License In UAE

Timeframe And Requirements To Renew Your License

If your driving license has expired recently then you can easily apply for renewal online. But if it has been 10 years since your license has expired, then you will need to start at the very beginning as per the rules set by the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) of UAE. You will have to start with the mandatory traffic rules and driving test.

You will also need to pay to clear any pending fines connected to your license. Every day after your license expires you will have to pay a fine of 10 Dirhams. You will be charged 300 Dirhams extra for every year that your license is not renewed after it expires.

If you are renewing your driving license just before the expiry date or right after, you can do so online without having to take the test again. You will have to provide certain documents in order to process your request for renewal. You can scan these documents and upload them online for processing. The required documents are:

1)      Your passport and valid residence visa (for expats)

2)      Emirates ID

3)      Driving license (expired or still valid)

4)      Passport-size colour photos X 2

Eye And Medical Test

You will also need to get an eye test conducted by Road and Transport Authority (RTA) authorised opticians at your own cost. The authorised optician will link the eye test results directly with your license by sending it electronically to the RTA. You will also need to get a medical test to prove your fitness to drive.

Read More: Common Mistakes To Avoid During Driving Test in UAE

It takes about 3 to 5 working days on average to process a driving license renewal request. Once you have paid the renewal fees and cleared all the fines due, a temporary driving license will be emailed to you. You can take a printout of this temporary license to show as proof of license renewal while you wait for the physical driving license to be mailed to you. If you want to avoid paying the additional charge of 25 AED to get it couriered, you can collect it personally at a customer happiness center.

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