Renew Your Driving License in Dubai: Quick and Easy Process

10 September 2023


Depending on where you live in the world, renewing your driver’s license can be a hassle. You have to gather documentation, go to an office at an inconvenient location with inconvenient hours, and wait in a long line. There’s a reason that so many movies make jokes about getting anything done at a department of motor vehicles!

Fortunately, that is not the case in Dubai! The Dubai driving license renewal process is easy, painless, and can be done from your phone. The Dubai RTA– that’s the Road and Transport Authority– makes it simple to renew driving licenses. Dubai has one of the easiest license renewal procedures anywhere in the world, so let’s look at how to take care of this essential process.


Renewal of Driving License in UAE: How It Works

There are actually multiple ways to renew your driving license in Dubai. You can do it from your phone, on the RTA website, at a self-service machine, or at a service center. Each way requires the same documentation, the same fees, and the same eye test.


Documentation

You will need three or four pieces of information to renew your license:

  • Your passport and valid residence visa (for expats)
  • Emirates ID (for UAE citizens)
  • Current driving license
  • Passport-size color photos (if renewing in person)

Fees

Renewing your driving license will cost you AED 300 for the license renewal fee and AED 20 for Knowledge and Innovation fees if you are older than 21. If you are under 21, you will pay AED 100 for license renewal and AED 20 for Knowledge and Innovation fees. Your license renewal is good for 10 years if you are a citizen over 21 and 5 years if you are an expat.


The Eye Test

Dubai’s driving safety rules require drivers over the age of 21 to undergo a vision test each time they renew their license. This is for your own safety and the safety of everyone on the road. This is not an eye exam like you would receive at an eye doctor’s– this is just a test to ensure that your vision is safe for the road and is conducted by a machine.

According to the RTA website, the following locations will conduct the eye test for driving license renewal:

  • Prime Medical Center - Dubai International Airport - Terminal 1, Departures Hall - First Floor
  • Dubai Optical
  • Yateem Optician
  • Malak Typing - Photocopying & Optical
  • Emirates Driving Institute - Eye Test
  • Salik Optical
  • Barakat Optical
  • Belhasa Driving Centre - Eye Test
  • Al Jaber Optical
  • Executive Optics
  • Apple International Optical
  • Leen Optics
  • Grand Optics
  • Rivoli EyeZone
  • Magrabi Optical

At the testing location, you will need your original driving license and your original Emirates ID. Some shops will accept digital copies of these– just ask. Once you’ve taken and passed the test, the optician will update the RTA system and you will receive a message telling you that you can continue with license renewal.

The fee associated with the test is generally a little over AED 100, and varies between opticians. There is also an option for a mobile truck to come to you with the eye test. However, the fee associated with this is AED 500, so it might be easier and more cost-effective to go to one of the exam locations.


Renewing the Driving License

The next step is renewing the license. There are several ways to accomplish this. First, let’s look at the ways you can renew your Dubai driving license online.


The RTA Website

Step 1: Go to the RTA official website and find The Driver and Car Owner Services tab.

Step 2: Select the Driving License Services tab, which will give you access to the various services related to Dubai driving license renewal.

Step 3: Enter your Emirates ID number or driving license number to retrieve data.

Step 4: Upload all the required documents.

Step 5: Pay all the necessary fees.

Step 6: You will get a temporary driver’s license that you can print for use until the original license is ready. This license is valid for 5-15 working days, giving you time to pick up the hard copy of your license from the Customer Happiness Centers in Deira or Al Barsha. You can also have it delivered for an additional fee:

  • Standard delivery: AED 20
  • Same day delivery: AED 35
  • Delivery within 2 hours: AED 50
  • International delivery: AED 50.

If you have an iPhone, you can receive your license electronically for your Apple Wallet through the RTA Dubai App.


The RTA App

Using the RTA App is just as simple as using the website.

Step 1: Open the app and click on “Apply for Renewing a Driving License.”

Step 2: Review your information. You will see your license number, issue date, traffic code number, your date of birth, and see whether or not you have any points on your license that correspond to fines you must pay. You will also see the results of your eye test. Once you’ve confirmed your details, tap next.

Step 3: Select a delivery method. You can use a kiosk or collect your new license from a center. Or again, you can have it shipped to you– and you can receive it digitally, just as on the website.


Renewal At A Self-Service Machine

If you’re out and about near one of these service centers or self-service kiosks, and want to renew your license, just follow the steps on the machine. In-person renewal is available at the following locations:

Once you’ve gotten your license renewed, you’re good to drive! But do you have the right car for your driving needs? At Car Sell Zone, we can help you find the perfect car. And if you’re selling your old car, you can click here for a FREE evaluation of your car! Car Sell Zone makes it easy to buy and sell cars in Dubai. Contact us today to get started with buying– or selling– a car.