Abu Dhabi Driving Licence - Eligibility, Process, Fees and More

You can even easily apply for a car insurance plan if you buy a new vehicle as it is an important requirement there. Additionally, having a valid licence demonstrates responsibility and compliance with rules, which can be valuable when seeking job opportunities.

Types of Driving Licences in Abu Dhabi

Here are the types of driving licences available in Abu Dhabi: 

Type of vehicle	Description
Light Vehicle Driving Licence	Drive cars and light vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes
Motorbike Driving Licence	Drive bikes with engine capacity up to 400 cc
Private Driving Licence	Drive only private vehicles; not valid for commercial use
Heavy-Vehicle Driving Licence	Drive heavy vehicles like trucks and buses up to 4.5 tonnes
Commercial Driving Licence	Drive commercial vehicles for business purposes

How to Get a Driving Licence in Abu Dhabi?

Before getting into how to get a driving licence in Abu Dhabi, it is important to know the applicant categories. These are –

• First-time UAE citizens or first-time expatriate applicants
• Expatriates with a licence from a foreign nation 

For First-Time Users

As a first-time applicant for a driving licence in Abu Dhabi, follow these steps-

• Training and lessons
• Yard parking exam - internal test
• Issuance
• Theory test - learner’s permit
• Road test 

Here are the steps to follow to get a driving licence in Abu Dhabi via TAMM. 

Step 1 - Eye Test for Driving Licence in Abu Dhabi

To start your process of getting your driving licence, visit a traffic department-authorised optician. 

Make sure to carry your Emirates ID. 

Step 2 - Open a Traffic File 

If you are confused about “how to open for driving licence in Abu Dhabi online”, you can use either:

• TAMM
• Abu Dhabi Police mobile application

To use the TAMM website, follow these steps -

• Step1- Visit TAMM’s official website. 
• Step2- Go to a specific page and enter the details via the UAE Pass to log in. 
• Step3- Enter your traffic file number. 
• Step4- Click on the Vehicles and Transportation section and go to the Driving Services section.
• Step5- Select the Request to Open a Driving Licence File option. 
• Step6- Start the login authentication process using the UAE Pass. 
• Step7- Choose the mode of transport. 
• Step8- Click on new as the category for the vehicle driving licence. 
• Step9- Select the driving licence centre. It usually is the Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Licencing Department. 
• Step10- Mention the type of vehicle you have - manual or automatic transmission. 
• Step11- Fill in your information like Emirates ID number, email address, and birth date. 

Once the process ends, upload the required documents and pay for the traffic file. 

Step 3 - Internal Practice and Theory

Visit the Emirates Driving Company in Abu Dhabi. Here, provide your traffic file number for registration and theory exams. 

There are other requirements too including - a copy of the residence visa, the latest passport-sized photo, and a passport. Applicants aged 17 years need a No Objection Certificate (NOC).

Step 4 - Book a Test Date 

Once you register for the theory exam, book a test date for yourself. For this, 

• Log in to the TAMM website and 
• Enter your file number
• Confirm the test location you choose and pay the fee
• You will receive a text message confirming the location and date
• Obtain your training card after the confirmation date

Step 5 - Go through Minimum Hours for Road Training 

The training usually includes external and practical road sessions. The applicants should complete training classes for a total of 6 hours. 

Step 6 - Road Test

After you have completed the external road training, go to the selected traffic licencing branch. There, you need to take your certificate to prove you’ve completed the test. Get the photographs taken, you will be given a driving licence. 

Step 7 - Get Your Driving Licence in Abu Dhabi

You can apply for either a physical or digital driving licence. Once you pass the road test, you get a physical Abu Dhabi driving licence within 10 days at the provided collection point. The digital licence will be sent to your registered address or via SMS notification. 

For Expatriates with a Driving Licence from a Foreign Country

The UAE government offers a simpler process to help expatriates with valid driving licence from a foreign country from certain countries like –

• GCC Countries
• Austria
• Canada
• Finland 
• Germany
• Ireland
• Japan
• New Zealand
• Poland
• Romania 
• Spain
• Sweden
• Turkey
• USA
• Australia 

If you have a driving license from any of the listed countries, you don't need to get a new Abu Dhabi driving license — you can transfer your foreign license with these simple steps:

• Go to an official typing or translation centre to get your license translated into Arabic. 
• Then, visit the licensing centre with the required documents (see details below). 
• You’ll have to take up an eye test and complete other formalities there. If you pass the eye test, you’ll receive your Abu Dhabi driving license.
• Alternatively, you can apply online through TAMM.

Important RTA Links
RTA - Roads and Transport Authority	Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Dubai
Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Sharjah	Transfer Car Registration

Eligibility Criteria to Apply for an Abu Dhabi Driving Licence

To apply for an Abu Dhabi driving licence, you need to be medically fit and meet the legal driving age. The legal age varies by vehicle type. 

Type of Vehicle	Minimum Age
Motorcycle	17 years
Light Bus	21 years
Light Mechanical Vehicle	20 years
Heavy Truck	20 years
Light Vehicle	18 years
Heavy Bus	21 years
Heavy Mechanical Vehicle	20 years

Abu Dhabi Licence Fees

The following are the charges associated with Abu Dhabi driving licence -

• Driving Licence in Abu Dhabi Cost - AED 600
• Driving Licence Renewal in Abu Dhabi Charge - AED 300
• Adding a New Category to the Driving Licence - AED 200

The other charges related to driving licence in Abu Dhabi are –

• Cost for an eye test - AED 100
• Theory training lessons at EDC begin with AED 830 and an additional charge of AED 50 for the test
• Practical test fee - approximately AED 2,705 (minimum)
• Cost of opening a traffic file - AED 100
• Cost of getting a learning licence issued - AED 100
• Fee for practical driving test - AED 200
• Cost of issuing the Abu Dhabi driving licence - AED 315
• The charge for converting the driving licence into an Emirati one - AED 250 

Documents Required to Apply for Driving Licence in Abu Dhabi

Here’s the list of documents required to apply for Abu Dhabi driving licence –

• 1 passport-sized photograph
• Emirates ID
• A copy of a valid Abu Dhabi Residence visa (with a minimum six months validity)
• Arabic translation of foreign driving licence
• A copy and original passport
• A copy and original foreign driving licence
• NOC from your sponsor or employer

Know the Regulations for Abu Dhabi Driving Licence If you want to obtain an Abu Dhabi driving licence, you need to be aware of the following regulations - Avoid consuming alcohol before driving  Strictly stick to the mentioned speed limits Pass the periodic medical examination before renewing your driving licence Refrain from using mobile or handheld devices while driving Always carry your driving licence while driving  Adhere to the traffic rules outlined by the authorities Not adhering to the traffic rules can lead you to incur heavy fines and black points on your driving licence.

Get Trained at Emirates Driving Company (EDC)

EDC is the first authorised driving and road safety school in Abu Dhabi. Its trainers help you to get trained in several Abu Dhabi driving licence categories – light vehicle, heavy bus, motorcycle, and heavy vehicle. 

• Visit EDC at: Street No. 17 Mussafah Industrial Area, Abu Dhabi
• Contact: +971 600 588 880

Documents Required for Getting Trained at Emirates Driving Company

If you are a local looking forward to applying for an Abu Dhabi driving licence, you only need an Emirates ID. However, expatriates would need to present the following documents –

• A copy and original Emirates ID
• Passport-sized photograph
• No objection certificate (NOC) from the sponsor
• A copy of the passport
• Eye test results

Courses Offered at Emirates Driving Company Courses

The EDC course has 8 units, each requiring you to complete and pass the theory test. Each class is 2 hours long and covers the following units –

• Traffic rules, road signs and road markings
• Inside city limits
• Outside city limits
• Driving under difficult conditions
• Dealing with tough situations
• Driving behaviour and road etiquette
• Vehicle knowledge
• Safety 

Once you have completed the course, you need to take and pass the test to move on to the practical test. 

All About Abu Dhabi Driving Licence Theory Test

In the Abu Dhabi driving licence theory test, there are 35 questions and the test has 3 segments. They are discussed in detail below for your reference –

• Segment 1 – 17 questions about traffic situations. You need to answer at least 11 questions correctly.
• Segment 2 – 18 questions about the specifics of a driving licence. You need to answer at least 12 questions correctly.
• Segment 3 – It is about Risk Recognition. Here, you are shown a video about environmental conditions and you have to suggest solutions. 

Note – You can take the test in English or Arabic, or opt for an oral exam if you do not know either language. 

Practical Driving Course for Driving Licence in Abu Dhabi

After passing the theory test, you will undergo practical training sessions using simulators and other tools. The number of sessions usually depends on how much skill you develop over time to reach the desired level. 

All the sessions are conducted in a driving rink created for beginners. Once you complete the training, you will need to take a parking test, followed by a road test. 

Practical Test

When the instructor finds you ready for the road test, you will be granted a “certificate of readiness”. This certificate is required for registration of your Abu Dhabi driving licence road test. 

In this test, you have 15 to 20 minutes to demonstrate your driving skills to the examiner. The result will be declared right after the test. If you fail the test, you will need an additional 7 hours of training. 

If you pass the test, you get an approval letter. You need to submit it at the Pass Counter along with your ID documentation and pay the driving licence in Abu Dhabi fee. 

Get your picture clicked for your driving licence in the designated area. You will then receive an Abu Dhabi driving licence in the next 15 minutes. 

Documents Required for Practical Test

The following are the documents you need to carry for your Abu Dhabi driving licence practical test -

• Emirates ID
• 2 passport-sized photographs
• Driving file

Tips for Abu Dhabi Driving Licence Practical Test

The following are some easy-to-follow tips for your driving licence in Abu Dhabi practical test -

• Dress formally
• Don’t argue with the examiner
• Before starting, make sure you adjust the seat and mirrors as per your convenience and put on the seat belt
• Drive below the speed limit
• Maintain a safe distance with the car ahead of you
• Use indicators as you change the lane
• Park your car on the side as instructed
• Avoid wearing any sunglasses. The examiner needs to monitor your eye movements during the driving test.
• Obey the instructions
• Check the handbrake and gear before you start driving
• Follow the signs on the road
• Keep a check on the lanes with side and rearview mirrors before switching lanes 
• Don’t press the brake until it is urgent

Note – Abu Dhabi driving licence is an important pre-requisite for getting a car insurance plan in Abu Dhabi. So, once you get your driving licence, you can easily apply for car insurance for your brand-new car on Policybazaar.ae. Click here to buy now!

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Frequently Asked Questions