The Dubai driver's license application process

Dubai driver license

The Dubai driver's license application process: all the info you need
Here is your easy-to-follow guide to getting your car started.

According to Aaqeelah FlorisDecember 2, 2024
This year, are you planning to get your driver's license?

Having a driver's license in Dubai opens up a world of opportunities, like cheaper gas, road trips across the UAE, and more job opportunities.

Looking to explore more of the world this year? Here's all the info you need to drive legally in Dubai.

Driving license in Dubai: To make things much easier, you can exchange your current driver's license for a UAE license if you already have one from your home country.

If your home country is on the list of countries recognized by the UAE Ministry of Interior, you can get a driver's license in Dubai without taking the test. Get the necessary documents in order, and then go. More information about this procedure can be found at this link.

Dubai driver's license: Step1: Determine Eligibility in the Event That You Do Not Have a Transferable License
Both nationals and permanent residents of the UAE must meet certain legal and medical requirements before they can be issued a driver's license. Additionally, there are minimum age requirements for each vehicle class, which encompass:

A motorbike must be at least seventeen years old.
Eighteen years old is the minimum age for cars and light trucks.
Twenty years old for hefty tractors and vehicles.
Buses must be at least 21 years old.
The Second Step: Get to a traffic log.
After you've verified that you're of legal age, health, and eligibility, it's time to gather the necessary documents. If getting your driver's license is your objective, you should open a traffic record. Here are the documents you'll need:

One copy of the passport and one copy of the residence visa.
Two copies of the Emirates ID card and the legit one.
Two pictures.
Findings from the eye exam.
Should the traffic department of your choosing require it, a letter of support from your sponsor.
Step 3: Learn how to drive.
You should, of course, hone your driving skills to perfection before hitting the roads of Dubai.

Al Ahli Driving Center, Galadari Motor Driving Center, Belhasa Driving Center, Dubai Driving Center, and Emirates Driving Institute are some of the best driving schools in the city that you can enroll in.

These schools will teach you everything you need to know about driving safely, including the laws, road safety measures, and more. To prepare for the written test, you should enrol in a theory course; to pass the driving test, you should enrol in a driving school.

Schedule a driver's license test as the fourth step.
You need to pass an eye exam and complete all of the driving license classes before you can set up a test date.

You can't make a reservation without providing your Emirates ID, the booking fee, and your eye test results. You can apply online at the Road and Transport Authority's (RTA) website.

Some other options include visiting the Customer Happiness Center in Deira, submitting an application through your driving school, using the Dubai Drive app, or visiting the RTA website or app.

Fifth, finish the tests.
In order to get your license, you have to pass three tests. The RTA theory exam will cover traffic scenarios, questions specific to a driver's license, and your knowledge of traffic laws in general.

The following step is the parking test, which will be held at the driving school's smart yard. Parking at an angle (60 degrees), parallel, 90 degrees, or in a garage will test your skills, as will emergency braking.

After you've nailed parking, the last step is to take a driving test to see how good you are on the road. Passing the test will grant you a driver's license that is valid for two years.

When all else fails, what happens next?
When you don't pass the driver's license test the first time around, it's natural to feel nervous. You will be eligible to retake the test once you have completed any necessary additional driving classes. Once you've polished your abilities, you can easily reapply online. The city and its environs will soon be at your fingertips as you hop in your rental car.

If you have not yet obtained residency in Dubai, you will need a driver's license.
Tourists, business travelers, and those whose residency is being processed are all required to possess an international driver's license in order to drive in Dubai.

Either the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) or the UAE Ministry of Interior's MOI UAE app is required for online applications to be considered.

Another option is to physically visit an RTA or ATCUAE office. Included in the necessary paperwork are passport photos, a copy of your current passport, a copy of your original driver's license, and the appropriate fee.

After processing, your foreign driver's license could take three business days to arrive.

The validity period of the foreign license is up to one year. A foreign license (if relevant) or a Dubai license must be applied for upon receipt of your residency visa in the UAE.

Would you recommend that I renew my Indian passport in Dubai? Fortunately, the Passport Seva service offered by the Indian Embassy has simplified and expedited the process. Read on to learn the ins and outs of renewing an Indian passport in Dubai in case your current one is about to expire.

How to Renewal an Indian Passport in Dubai
To assist the many Indian nationals currently residing in Dubai with their visa and passport needs, the Indian government has contracted with BLS International Service Centre. The organization merely collects the fees, paperwork, and applications; the processing of passport and visa applications is handled by the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General of India in Dubai.

Method for Registrant
The initial stage in renewing an Indian passport in Dubai is to schedule an appointment online. First things first, head over to Passport Seva's website and create an account. When you go to the website, you'll be asked to select your country and region. For you, it's "Africa and Middle East" and "United Arab Emirates." Creating an account, or logging in with an existing one, is the following step.

In order to set up your account, we need some basic information about you, such as your name, DOB, and citizenship status. After you have created an account, you are required to submit the Dubai application form in order to renew your Indian passport. You have the choice between regular or expedited (tatkal) service, and the number of pages your passport needs to be 36 or 60.

Your home address, marital status, emergency contact info, family members, employment status, educational history, and more must be filled out completely before the form can be submitted.

The application also includes supplementary questions, such as

Information about any previous criminal actions taken against the person
Details regarding past convictions in Indian courts that may have resulted in passport denial or rejection
Details regarding an earlier application for or grant of foreign citizenship that occurred before the emergency visa visit to India
After you've submitted the application to renew your Indian passport online, print it out and bring it to your appointment at the BLS Center.

Request for BLS Center Appointment
If you are an Indian national looking to renew your passport in Dubai, you can do it through the BLS International Service website. The purpose of the appointment is to bring the necessary paperwork and application materials to one of their offices. At this time, renewing your Indian passport online is not an option.

Documents Required to Renew an Indian Passport in Dubai
In Dubai, you can renew your Indian passport with the following documents:

first-issue passport presently in circulation
The UAE residence visa page in duplicate
In the format of a passport, two 51 x 51 mm white images
At the BLS Center, you can also get your picture taken for as low as 30 AED.

Please ensure that you have all the necessary documents on hand, including a valid UAE residence visa, a current lease or other evidence of residency, or a letter from your employer verifying your employment and residency status.

When updating your passport, it may be required to obtain police verification for certain updates, such as changing your home address. Depending on the situation, pre-police verification can sometimes be switched to post-police verification.

Please keep in mind that in order to submit the application in person, the applicant is required to bring all of the required paperwork.

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Documents Required to Renewal of Indian Passports for Minors in Dubai
When dealing with children, a few more pieces of paperwork are required:

a copy of the UAE residence visa page the applicant's original passport
the initial passports issued to each parent
Emirates IDs for both parents
When submitting the necessary paperwork for the child, it is imperative that a parent is present.

The Renewal Process
On the scheduled appointment day, you are required to submit all necessary documents to the submission officer along with the payment. Keep in mind that renewing an Indian passport in Dubai requires payment in cash. Another important detail to keep in mind is that the application form must be signed in the presence of the submission officer.

SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
Premium services are available to residents of Dubai. You can rest assured that your documents will be submitted quickly, at a specific time, that they will be pre-screened, and that refreshments will be provided on the day of the submission. In Dubai, you'll have to pay AED 225 for premium service on top of the Indian passport renewal fee.

However, there is no assurance that your application will be processed faster by the Dubai Consulate if you choose this service.  

Passport renewal for Indian citizens Form for scheduling a BLS Delivery of Renewed Indian Passports by Courier
It usually takes five working days for your renewed passport to be delivered. Nevertheless, if you opt to renew your Indian passport in Dubai using tatkal fees, the processing time is two days.

Passports are sent to applicants' homes, and they can check on the progress of their application on the BLS Center's website. Passports that are not delivered are returned to BLS - Al Khaleej Center (Dubai).

ADS FOR REnewing a Dubai-Based Indian Passport
There is a price difference between renewing an adult and child Indian passport in Dubai. Furthermore, if you opt for the expedited service when renewing your Indian passport in Dubai, there are tatkal fees. In addition to the service charge for renewing an Indian passport (AED 9), there is a fee of AED 8 for the Indian Community Welfare Fund.

ANNUAL SERVICE COST
A 36-page booklet costs AED 285 for adults.
Price: AED 380 (60-page booklet) for adults, AED 190 for children

Service Renewal for Tatkal
Cost: AED 855 for adults (36-page pamphlet).
Duabi BLS Centers: Price: AED 950 for adults (60-page booklet); AED 760 for minors
Below is a list of the BLS Centers in the emirate.

The BLS Center Dubai's Prestige Lounge
Address: 507, Al Jawarah Building, Habib Bank AG, Zurich, Switzerland; Bank Street, Bur Dubai
Open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm everyday.
Contact us at +971-4-387-5777.
Burj Khaleej - Dubai BLS Center
This is the address: Bur Dubai, Al Khaleej Center, Mezzanine Floor, Offices 118-119, Mankhool Road, opposite Al Ain Center.
The hours are from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, with a lunch break from 1:00 to 2:00 pm.
Site: BLS Center Dubai - Deira, Shop No. 13, Ground Floor, Zeenah Building, Across from City Center Deira P3 Parking, Deira
When: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (with a lunch break from 1:00 to 1:00 pm)
Renewal of Indian passport through BLS appointment 
A BLS appointment is necessary in order to submit the necessary paperwork and an application.
FAQs
Which number should I dial to reach the BLS centers in Dubai?
If you need assistance with renewing your Indian passport in Dubai, call BLS Dubai at +971-4-387-5777. The Premium Lounge can also be reserved through the call center.

Is it possible for Indian expats to apply for an Aadhar card in Dubai?
You may be surprised to hear that even non-resident Indian citizens can apply for an Aadhaar card. If you are an Indian expat residing in Dubai, you should know how to apply for an Aadhaar card online!

How can I fill out the passport renewal form?
Filling out the form is optional; however, you have the option to pay a nominal fee to have BLS staff assist you.

We have completed our investigation into the process of renewing an Indian passport in Dubai. Having all the required documents on hand makes the process much easier. It is important to note that the BLS Center requires appointments for all visits.