I obtained my UAE driving license in 2009 and I shared this information here. We all know that rules and regulations change every now and then. To keep this post updated, I am sharing selected informative comments that I received in the previous post.
Some readers of Frugal Expat are kind enough to let me know their suggestions and experiences in obtaining their driving license lately.
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From Sameer : July 3, 2012 – How to Open a File in Mussafa Police Station?
Hi Buddy,
really thankful for your tips on applying for a fresh license. Just this morning i opened my file in Mussaffah. It seems there are some changes in the procedure recently unlike mentioned in your blog.
- Though i directly went to driving company with all documents, I was asked to go to Mussafah police station because the file opening is done there. (I got this info after waiting in queue for 20 min)
- In Mussafah police station, you have to submit any valid ID card (Emirates ID/ Labor Card) in front desk so that they will give u a temporary pass to enter inside. Bring with you a photocopy of the Emirates ID/Labor Card, they may need a copy inside.
- Collect a token from the token machine for driving section (the machine has multiple choices) and wait for your turn. They will check your documents and will give you a physical examination form – this is for the eye test.
- Collect a token from the same token machine for eye test – You can find the optometry technician’s room very next to your previous counter. Pay AED 25 there, finish your test and get the result.
- Go back to token machine and collect a token again for driving section. Submit all the documents. If all is ok, they will give you some forms to handover to driving school.
- Now you can go to the driving school, and in the reception show your documents. They will give you an application form to fill – attach the passport copies and photos together and if everything is ok, he will give you a token for scheduling theory class. Wait for your turn and pay AED 830 in the counter and schedule your classes- khallaaas!!
my tips:
- photocopying is available free of cost in police station, so make 2 copies of passport and one copy of your ID card there. You will be charged AED 1 per page if you take photocopy in driving school.
- Don’t forget to return your temporary pass and collect your original ID back in the police station as it would cost you an additional AED 12, to and from from driving school and police station
- Taxi drivers may confuse you saying there are 2 police stations in Mussafah - just tell them the one behind/ nearest to the driving school.
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From James : December 29, 2012 - Some Tips if You Do Not Have Abu Dhabi Residence Visa
These are some of the things that I have noted during my visit to the Licensing Department.
- You can open the file in 2 different places (Timings 8am – 2pm)
a. Mussafah Police Station
b. Licensing Department in Muroor. - You need to have an NOC from your employer stating that you are working in Abu Dhabi. In some cases, they are asking for Trade License of the company.
- All the documents have to be in Arabic.
a. The driving license from the home country has to be attested if it’s in a book format from the embassy
b. If it’s a card format, then you need to get a legal translation of the document. No need to translate.
c. Driving license from home country has to be provided only if you are planning to apply for direct road test. - You can open the file in Abu Dhabi if your company has a trade license/Office in Abu Dhabi, no matter what the visa is.
I would also like to say that my visa is from Dubai and I am working in Abu Dhabi. I have my NOC from my Dubai office. But they rejected the file opening request saying that they need letter from an Abu Dhabi company, thereby to prove that I am an Abu Dhabi resident. So my procedures are stuck till there.
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Flo Nash : January 6, 2013 – File Opening Tips
Hello All,
I opened my file a week or so ago and have some advice:
PASSPORT PHOTOS:
You can get these done in Marina Mall next to the Carrefour at the Kodak shop. They have a studio set up, and the end result was really flattering (when does that ever happen!)
EYE TEST:
I made the mistake of getting an eye test beforehand at Yateem opticians in Hamdan St, which I was assured was valid for driving license application and cost AED50. This eye test result was deemed invalid by the traffic police, and I had to pay AED25 and get their test anyway.
WALKING:
If you’re on a budget and weather is not too hot, you can walk from the Police station to the Emirates Driving School (come out of the building and turn right and then right again down a sandy track and then take the first right) . Takes about 15-20 mins and is dusty so wear old comfy shoes.
SPECIAL SERVICE:
If you have all your paperwork (police file, photos, passport copies, etc), go to the main reception desk in the Emirates Driving School and collect forms to complete. Once completed you are sent to book your classes. When you do this ask about special service theory classes – it costs an extra AED100 and it means you do 2x 5 hour sessions rather than 4 blocks of classes. If you are travelling to go to the school by taxi (rather than bus) this could half the costs, so may actually work out cheaper.
CLASSES:
If you are doing the 5 hour blocks, be warned that you don’t get breaks between the 1-1.5hr classes, and you are not officially allowed to take food or beverages (other than bottled water) in the classroom, so eat plenty beforehand!
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If you have any new updates on how to obtain a driving license in Abu Dhabi, please feel free to share it.













