How to Obtain Driving License in Abu Dhabi?
My boss kept urging me to get a driving license since I joined the company. Perhaps he was keen to mold me to be one of his sales team. No doubt, it is a lucrative job compared to my current post but selling is simply not my cup of tea.
Anyway, I still pursued my driving. My driving saga started in late November 2008. Being a neophyte with no knowledge at all in driving, my route was quite lengthy and financially draining.
Here are the guidelines you can refer if you wish to get a driving license in Abu Dhabi.
File Opening. You can open your file in the Traffic Police in Muroor district or in Emirates Driving School (the only legitimate driving school in Abu Dhabi) in Musaffa. The required documents will include passport copy with the visa stamp, passport picture and one Arabic letter from your company which you can always ask from your HR Office.
Then there will be an eye test also. Don’t worry because this service is available in the Traffic Police in Muroor. Once you finish the registration, you need to enroll for the theory class. Regardless of your driving skill level, this four days theory class is mandatory when obtaining a driving license in Abu Dhabi. It is followed by a written exam on the fifth day though the written exam is given only every Wednesday in Muroor area.
This entire process (file opening, eye test, theory class) will cost between AED 800 – AED 1,000.
After you pass the written exam, the next step is to go to Emirates Driving Company in Musaffa which is 20-30 minutes drive from the city proper.
Actual Driving Class. If you are a beginner, you need to enroll for the actual driving class that is consisting of five lessons. It is given in two sets, lessons 1-3 and lessons 4-5. Schedule for the classes are stretched from morning to late in the evening.
Lessons 1-3 will take you around one week to complete and lessons 4-5 for 10 days. Basically you will have a one-to-one session with the instructor. Your classroom will be the driving yard of Emirates Driving Company.
Emirates Driving Company
The schedule of your classes will depend on the availability. In my case, I passed my written exam in end of November but the earliest available for the actual driving class was on January only. There was more than a month gap from my theory class and actual driving lessons 1-3. The same scenario when you will get a schedule for lessons 4-5.
If you are flexible with the time, then the interim will not be long. As for me, I could only take evening classes, which I believed the most sought after schedule, because I have a fulltime job.
The fee for the actual driving class was between AED 2,200 – AED 2,400. This covers the entire lessons from one to five.
Because Mussaffa is far from the city proper, the taxi fare is quite expensive. I had to shell out between AED 35 – AED 50 per way for the taxi fare to Mussaffa for my daily driving lessons.
Parking Test. Parking test is scheduled only after you finish the entire driving lessons. That’s why you need to remember your lesson 3 because this will be the parking test. Fortunately, they offer refresher class for lesson 3.
Before you get a schedule for parking test, make sure you are scheduled for refresher class. This will give you better chance of passing the parking test.
Driving Yard of Emirates Driving Company
Green I.D. Card. After you pass the parking test, the Traffic Police will issue you a green ID card. It is a temporary driving card which will allow you to contract driving instructors. During your driving class in Emirates Driving School, you are driving only in the vicinity of the school. When you contract a driving instructor, you will be driving in the real road with his guidance.
There is no required number of hours. You have to personally gauge your capability. If you think you are already confident to drive alone, then you can proceed with the road test.
The driving instructor charges between AED50 – AED70 per one hour lesson however most of them take only a minimum of two hours. The instructor will pick and drop you off unfortunately this is already counted. It means for the two hours lesson, your actual driving class is only one hour and thirty minutes because fifteen minutes will count for your pick-up and another fifteen minutes for your drop off.
Road Test. Be early during your schedule for road test. Bring your appointment sheet, green card or temporary Driving ID, passport copy and AED 200. There will be two police, one seated in front and the other at the back, in the car.
When the policeman returns to you the green card, it means you didn’t pass. If the policeman hands you the appointment sheet, it means you pass.
After you pass, you have to go back to the Traffic Police, pay AED 200 and give the appointment sheet and passport copy. They will take you a photo and after 10-15 minutes, viola! You have your driver’s license.
Advance Level. If you know how to drive or have a driver’s license back home, you can skip the driving classes. Simply take a schedule for road test. If you pass, then you will instantly get your driver’s license. If you don’t pass, you need to take the driving lessons in Musaffa.
However, driver’s license from Australia, New Zealand, United States of America, Canada, UK and most of the European countries can transfer their current license to UAE license.
Personally, it was quite a long agony for me. Fortunately, I passed my road test and parking test in my first attempt.
Frugal Tips:
- Try to find a buddy when taking driving lessons in Mussaffa. It is cheaper to share the taxi bill with your buddy.
- There is a shared taxi from Musaffa to Abu Dhabi. Taxi drivers charge for AED 5 per person however if you don’t want to share, make sure you haggle for the fare. The average fare should be AED 25-AED 40 varying on your drop off location.
hi cyra! will add this blog on my blogroll ha. i wonder why the rest of your blogs arent working anymore… hope to get more tips here.
you are so good
Hey buddy, It was quite a informative subjects ou have chosen to put it up here & quite enjoyed reading it too.. My wife works for Eitihad airways as Cabin crew & im stuck up here in LOndon, I’m a fully qualified driving instructor in UK but wud like to move to Abudhabi & was wondering if I can use my advance driving licence to teach ppl in Abudhabi, My wife 2 yrs back exchanged here UK licence to UAE licence with in hours.
any more information wud be appreciated….
@ Ash: Thanks for the appreciation.. I sent you a PM regarding your query. Hope it helps.
@ Vidhyaa: Thank you!
@ Lorela: Thanks for dropping by Lor!
My visa is from Abu dhabi I can get classes in Dubai driving schools if possible please write down where can I get .
Thanks/ Kiran.Download: eType1.com/f.php?FDcc8Y
@ Kiran: As far as I know, you can open your file for driving to the same Emirate where your visa is issued..
Hi cyra…
The blog was really informative and quite interesting.. hey i plan to start the process to obtain my driving license on the start of jan.. actually i already have my indian driving license wit dat help me 2 reduce the length of my process 2 get the license.. Plz do tell me approx how long(in terms of months) wil it take 2 get my licence if i start it at jan 2010.. also if my indian driving license helps me out then hw long wil it take… ur info is appreciated..
Regards,
Tash
Hi Tash,
Thank you for dropping by and I am glad that you find this blog to be informative. Somehow it serves its purpose…LOL!
If you have a driving license back home, you can request for road test schedule. If you pass, then the license is issued on the same day. If you fail, then you must enroll for the driving class.
Alternatively, you can book for assessment. They will evaluate your driving skill and will be asked to take the lessons required according to your level of driving.
The theory class is mandatory regardless if you are a beginner or seasoned driver already.
Lastly, I cannot tell you the duration because it varies. It depends on the earliest available slot for the classes.
Good luck!
Cyra
Dear
Can you tell me total expense (Including Theory Class to the Final Test) for obtain diriving license and how much time required if i start from the month of March 2010.
i have dubai visa. can i apply from abu dhabi to get my licence
Hi Shahid,
As far as I know, you can apply or open your license file only to the same Emirate in which your visa is issued.
Cheers
i visa is in dubai.now i am working in abudhabi branch.can i apply from abudhabi to get my licence.i have lisence from home country.
@ Abdul: As far as I know, you can only open a file for driving to the Emirate where your visa is issued. If you have license from your country, you can schedule a driving test. If you pass, then you will have the driving license. If not, then you have to take the classes. Thanks!
which profession could open the file, and which not.pls. notify me early as possible.
dubai visa holder can open an driving file in Abu dhabi?
Hi Mayura,
You can only open your file in the same Emirate where your visa is issued.
Cheers
Cyra
i have dubai visa. can i apply from abu dhabi two wheeler motorcycle licence and how much the total fee for file opning to get the licence
and what is the required documents i have india licence so any facilities
can i apply from abu dhabi two wheeler motorcycle licence and how much the total fee for file opning to get the licence
and what is the required documents i have india licence so any facilities
my vissa is dubai can i opening file in abu dhabi
@ Ashish: Thanks for dropping by. You can only open your file in Dubai. I suggest that you contact the driving schools in Dubai for more details about your motorcycle license requirements and cost as I am not sure if it is the same for light vehicles.
Please send me the Chart of How I Get License Which is There on 1st floor of Emirates Driving Company in Musaffa
Hi Cyra,
Thank you for sharing this. It is indeed very helpful. I just came back from Muroor today and have finally opened my own driving test file. I’ve never had any formal lessons in the past but am hoping for the best.
I am moving to Dubai soon so I can’t wait to get this all over with…successfully, I hope. Sounds like I have to brace myself…there are a lot of steps (and money) involved!
I’m happy I came across your blog.
@ Pam: Thanks Pam that this blog helps you one way or another.. All the best! It is not a rocket science..
Hi, Cyra, I chanced upon your blog while looking up for some parking test tips. I just had my parking test this morning in Emirates Driving Company, unfornately, I failed. Could you care to share some tips? I managed to park perfectly during the parking lessons (lesson 3) training and referesher, however, I still failed. I just noticed that the area of the parking test is quite bigger than that of what is being used for parking lesson.
Hi Nette,
I was just lucky that the instructor was very kind during my parking test so I managed to pass it.
All I can say is my parkng skills improve only after I started driving.
All the best!
Cheers
i also failed my parking test and i m 100 percent sure that the area they offer in parking1 it has big difference with that of while u practise in training..hope parking 2 i could passs…grrrrrr
Hi.. Cyra
Quick one ..i have to go for 6 classes traning .. and need to pay 1500AED.. can i do my payment through my credit card, as m following short of some money .. please advise .. thanks ..
Hi Libran..I am not really sure if they accept credit card. Better to check with them directly.
Cyar . thanks for the info.. i will check and update your .. thanks ..!!
I have my home country licence, please tell me documentation that is to be submitted to apply for new licence or precise me procedure to obtain DL.
Hi, My home country licence already translated in Arabic, is attestation from embassy mandatory???
This was very informative.. Id like to ask though, what should be ur title in the visa to be qualified in getting the Abu Dhabi license?? Do archive clerks allowed to obtain a license??
Hi Cyra!
I just want to let you know I passed my road test today — on my first try (same with theory and parking test).. woohoo!! Thanks for sharing this blog with the internet audience.
@Libran – Yes, you can pay by credit card.
By the way, I completed everything from opening a file to getting a license in less than 2 months! Go for intensive courses so you wont have to go to Mussafah everytime. It will cost you 200.. If you want to get an earlier booking for parking test, you pay an additional 200 for “special services.” That way they keep you on priority.
Pay 50 with muroor police if you want an earlier sked, too!
Pay pay pay that’s all you have to do. But that beats the purpose of this blog because it’s called frugal expat… bottom line is it’s tough to be frugal when you are trying to get a license in the uae. I paid about 6000 for everything (classes, taxi and private teacher)
@ Pam: Thanks for sharing Pam.
Ay mali, I completed everything in exactly 2 moths pala! I was reading my first post and saw the date. how time flies.
hi there, just dropped by and this is really helpful, thanx. im a Chinese BTW
hai, my visa profession (tylor curtain)abu dhabi, i cant open driving file what i do.
also i want to open file how i open file.
please helpme you have any idea i hope…..
Hi ,
I want to apply for my wife’s driving license, but as she have never drive i think she needs to take the classes as well. i already have the Abu Dhabi Driving license. Can you please guide me how i can apply for her driving license and what will be the step by step procedure for it.
It’ll be very informative for me if you provide the required information.
Thanks in adv.
Fahad Ahmed Khan
@ Fahad: When I applied for driving license, I had zero knowledge about driving too. I believe the bove blog covers the steps of obtaining driving license in Abu Dhabi.
hi cyra…this blog has helped me a lot from the very first step of opening a file up to this final step before going thru the road test.
i’ll be having my driving test tomorrow, hope everything will turn out well. any tips of on how to past the road test?
I got it!! first try as well!
my tip, check the mirrors, use the signal well and don’t be afraid to ask the examiner to repeat his instruction.
@ Ivan: Thanks for tip Ivan!
Hi There,
Maybe somebody can helpe out there…I am working in Taweelah Abu Dhabi which i svery far from city of abu dhabi and my family is here too.but i cant get driving license because my visa is Machine Operator what will i do to have an open file?
Hope to your help
hi my visa is concret form controller my company give me NOC paper i go to open my file in but he cant open my file muroor told me my visa is not vaild for driving licence tell me what i do i want to make my driving licence pls help me and give me your valueable advice thanks
which kind of visa can not get driving licence in abu dhabi? Am a seniear
which kind of visa can not get driving licence in abu dhabi? Am a Seniear Electrician but my visa in Distribution cable techenicen so can I open file for driving licence in Abu Dhabi?
kaindly help me
Does all of this apply for a motorcycle drivers licence as well? Any advise, I purchased a BMW motorcycle and need to get a licence .
very good information
Hell there, you site was very informative. I hold my home country driving license. But i want to brushup my skills before going for the test. Could you share some private driving instituitons in AD?
Tx
how to get abu dhabi DL in 27 days
1. Translate your company letter and local driving license in arabic for 50 dirhams each.
2. Get an NOC letter in muroor if you have a dubai visa. Bring the trading license (photocopy only) of your company – abu dhabi branch
3, Open a file at EDC musaffah for 100 dirhams and 20 dirhams for eye test. bring 2 passport size pictures during file opening as well as the necessary documents.
4. After file opening, register for a theory class for 830 dirhams, inclusive of theoretical exam. They gave me only one day theory class because i have an engineers visa. TIP- read the book from cover to cover before you take the class. You will be familiar of the lectures during the class.
5. Schedule for a theoretical exam after the class. The exam would be 45 items and you should get 36 correct answers to pass. I got 42 correct items because read the book from cover to cover.
6. After passing on the same day, they will give you an appointment sheet for police road test.
For me, i pass on the 5th of april and they schedule it on the 30th of may, police road test. On april 6 i go to counter # 8 ( same office during file opening) to ask for an earlier date. There is one high ranking official inside the office of counter # 8, just ask him to have an earlier date and he will change the date with his initial on it. For me, first he agree for 9th of may but i beg him to make it a little bit earlier, so he change it to april 25.
7.Try to contact a private instructor before the police road test, it will cost you 60dirhams per hour. For me, I have consumed 6 hrs road driving, mostly on the road near the EDC.
8. On the day of police road test. Be there at EDC before 7 am, so that you will be seated in front of the bus. Pay the 50 dirhams for rescheduling of police road test on the counter, same office during file opening. Before you ride on the bus you have to pay 40 dirhams for police road test.
9. The police road test will be very easy, if you are confident enough to drive and you have learned the lesson of the private instructor you have hired before. I pass my first police road test after 27 days, beginning from file opening on the 29th of march.
10. Go back to EDC immediately if you pass, photocopy your emirates ID. Submit your theoretical certificate, appointment sheet, photocopy of emirates ID and pay 200 dirhams.
11. My expenses is 1800 dirhams from file opening until receiving my abu dhabi DL
hi I’m a housewife but have home country driver’s license. I haven’t been driving for long time now so I know its better to get full training to get AUH license. My worry, I have been reading lots of blogs on how some policemen will try to confuse you when you are taking your road test exam, that they will talk in arabic then suddenly give instructions like turn left, turn right, overtake, that sort of things. I don’t know how to speak arabic. I am just wondering if the applicant for driver’s license is a woman are they still going to give male policeman to accompany during road test? My husband has been telling me not to believe all those blogs it will just scare me. Is there also tips you can give on the attire when taking those lessons and the actual road test? thanks!
@ Mrs. Fernandes: Based on my experience, policemen gave proper instructions and in English during the road test. I didn’t feel any confusions with their instructions. If you have already a driving license back home, the driving school will ask you for the translation copy. If you have the translation copy, they will issue a temporary driving permit to allow you for driving practice with the driving instructors. You can schedule for road test. If you pass, you’ll get the driving license. However, if you fail, you need to take the driving class.
Theory class is mandatory.
It is true the policewoman confuse while giving instructions they speak in Arabic and all of sudden give instruction so you get confused so they keep a policeman to accompany policewoman . And it is not that if you fail you are bad driver it depends on your luck.Really it is a painful efforts.
my visa is jabelali freezone visa , but i am living in mussafha can i open my file for driving liesence from mussafha
@ Rovin: Just double check if the policy has changed because as far as I know, you can only open your file to the Emirate in which your visa is issued.
plz.. can any one tell me about i know driving and hav driving license in Pakistan
on this basis i can apply direct on road test and pakistan i have attest from Abu dhabi Pakistan embassy or from karachi ministry of foreign affairs kindly tell me on my email zubi_libra@hotmail.com
Dear Zubair I have the same problem so if u know the answer can u plz share it on this blog as I have pakistani DL (BOOK type) and I am working here and have fathers visa in Abu dhabi.
Thank you very much for giving us great information.
Just one question I have, these procedures for Auto or Manual?
@ Rashadi: Thanks for dropping.. Perhaps I didn’t mention that in the email. It’s for automatic..
Hi Cyra…this was really a good information..bcos..i asked so many guys regading this..no one cud answer correctl…anyway thanx 4 the informations….
@ Azhar: Thanks for visiting my blog… glad that it serves it purpose..
what about colour blindness, if i apply for an Abu Dhabi driving license. i have indian driving licence and drive car for the last 4 years. an early advise on this so i can do it in the Holy Ramadan.
hi Dear em new in Abu Dhabi , wanna apply for Drivng License , just wanna know that i have an International License of Pakistan which i make before comin to Abudhabi , guide me will it be helpfull to me ????
Nice piece, you should continue to write and i guess the thought of sharing and helping others and getting down to doing it is worth.. quite bit!!
Thanks Shekhar..
Thanks FX for the information. Do you think it’s possible for me to obtain a D/L within 25 days? I’m on local leave so it will help a bit on the expenses since i can take weekdays for lessons. Thanks!
@ Renen: Someone shared to me earlier that they have a special class that will allow you to finish in two weeks time. Better to check with them directly.
I have open a driving license file in rak and now i am under road test level.I failed 2 times in road test and my next appointment is 26 september 2011.But now i cancel my visa in Rak and i joined in a new company in abu dhabi(Al Jaber group).please advise can i attend next appointment in rak or not? If not how to transfer my file to Abu Dhabi?
hii,
thanks for the artical mate.. i opened my file today. It was really hectic day:( My visa is from dubai but I am working in abu dhabi on this current project. so here are the things i have done up till now. i hope it helps
1. I went to the EDS to open my file with all the documents that they told me over the phone, Go as early as you can. I think they start at 7:30
2. After getting the eye test (20 AED) done i waited for my turn just to find out i need NOC from Abu dhabi traffic police dept.
3. So i again wenf to Abu Dhabi, their office in muroor i think was the name. In order to get the NOC you will need commericial license of your company, NOC from employer, 1 picture i think .
4. Than go to EDC , if you are a professional ( e.g i m an engineer , i just need to take 1 class of theory) now my test is on thursday 8pm. Wish me luck. Will keep you guys posted for the frther updates.
opening a file plux theory class and test i guess costed me 830 AED. Plus around 40-45 AED one way from City (Madinayat Zayed) to Musaffa. Also on my way back today i found out that BUS 116 comes straight from EDS to CIty in just 2 AED
gudluck. please remember me in prayers
Ali
@ Muhammad: Thanks for sharing this helpful info..
I have philippines driving license and i want to apply for a driving license in abu dhabi. what are the documents that i need to prepare before going to EDS and how much do i need to pay?
@ Allan: Thanks for dropping by. You can go through my blog post “How to Obtain Driving License in Abu Dhabi?” because it mentions your requested info.
we need one help
my visa is welder that visa possiple to open the file?
please give me advise urgent
Hi,
I have a driver’s license from my home country but it has expired now; after i came to the UAE. Can I still use it?
my profession is messenger can i open driving license
So helpful of you guys!
I got My driver’s license (AUTOM.) from Abu Dhabi in 2008. Now I want to get a motorcycle license as well.
I contacted EDC and they told Me AED120(Reg.) + AED170(3 theory classes of 2hrs each) and then I can book My date with the Muroor.
But the problem I face is I need to learn to ride a motorcycle first!
They (EDC) do not providing training for motorcycle, and I contacted some other driving schools as well like Santana, they neither provide as well.
So any help or idea on where can I practice or learn??
I’m confident that I’d be probably needing just 3 sessions and I’ll be a good to go.
kindly advice if school open saturday for regisiteration and other activities
I have been through a lot. I have been taking classes and such since March. I opened my file at EDC in end of March. passed my parking test in April and then gave my first driving test in mid June which i failed. I made my second attemp right after a week and failed again. Got extremely disappointed so took a long break and finally attempted 3rd time today, which is October 2nd 2011 and FAILED again!!! I am so disappointed, i think i can never get a license. Don’t know what to do. have heard so much about the EDC that I fear before going there. Please help me and tell me what to do… Thanks,
Do you require Emirates ID card to open the file?
sir, i m working in electromechanical company.my visa Profession is Centralcooling Equpment mechanic.can i open file for the driving lichence in my profession.please sir replay mail me
I’m on my husband’s visa, do I need the NOC letter from his company before going to Muroor to open a file?
hi guys!
just want to know if only those who have higher level in profession can have a DL in AUH?
hi all,
can somebody inform me, if i can transfer my traffice licence file to Abu dhabi? actually previously I was working in Ras Al Khaimah where I openned my licence file, I cleared inside and reverse parking test, and was on raod test. then I switched to a new job in Ruwais, Abu DHabi. Now it is very hard and tiring to go for driving test in RAK. I managed to appear there two times, but failed as I am not allowed to take driving classes in Ruwais.
Can I transfer my licence file from RAK to Abu Dhabi? should I need to take all test and theory classes again?
Please if anybody has an idea, share with me.
Thanks
S.M. Alam
good information. i have cleared my doubts regarding the procedure. Thanks lot
hai
how can i get a licence
IT IS TOO VALID INFORMATIONS…….TNX
tnx for information
After failing all the three test even i am scared to go to EDC now they are asked to do the assessment test , why they are not giving date for one more attempt after doing the assessment test is that i have to start from the beginning please advise.
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School is open on Saturdays but not for file opening