If you aren’t a citizen of the following countries and want to ride a motorcycle in the UAE, you need to undergo RTA’s prescribed learning process for getting a UAE motorcycle license.
Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States. (Please call RTA on 8009090 for any changes to this list)
Please note: Driving license holders of some countries in the above list will require translations or consulate letters. These countries include:
Canada: A letter from the Canadian Consulate in Dubai to verify that the license is genuine is required, before transferring your license.
Driving license holders from Greece, Canada, Cyprus, Poland, Turkey, Japan and South Korea will require a translation of their driving license from their respective consulates.
If y
ou aren’t from the above mentioned countries and if you already have a license from your home country and if it’s five years or older, you need to undergo 20 classes before you are eligible for a UAE motorcycle license. For those holding motorcycle licenses less than five years, you need to undergo 30 classes and those without a license need to undergo 40 classes, irrespective of their nationality.
The following are the documents required to start the process for a UAE motorcycle license;
- Passport for residents (original for verification and a copy)
- Residence permit copy
- Current driving license (original & copy)
- Translation of driving license (for some countries)
- Consulate letter (for Canadians)
- 1 passport photo
- Eye test certificate (available at the driving school for around AED 100)
- A no-objection letter from your sponsor if your visa title isn’t “Manager”
A file opening charge of AED 360 (might vary) is also applicable.
Here is a breakdown of the process;
File “opening”: this process might take from anywhere up to a week to a fortnight, depending on the driving centre and if you’ve signed up as a VIP.
Theory class: All applicants are required to undergo eight hours of theory classes’ before being eligible for a theory test
Theory test: Once you finish all eight hours of theory classes, you need to pass a computerised theory test (20 questions). To pass, you need to answer at least 18 questions correctly.
Field classes: Once you are done with the theory test, you will start riding the motorcycle in the yard. Yard training covers manoeuvring skill and quick response skills. Applicants will learn to perform various cornering, braking and collision avoiding techniques.
Field test: Once you have undergone the required amount of classes, you will have a field test supervised by an official from the RTA. Only if you pass the field test, you are allowed to proceed to out-door riding.
Road training: This is fairly simple, you have to follow the instructor around a fixed route around your driving centre in groups of five.
Road test: This is the final hurdle. An RTA official will follow a group of five riders in a car observing how they ride along a prescribed route. Once you are done, he will hand you assessment sheets that will mention whether you have passed or failed.
If you have passed, you will get the UAE motorcycle licence on the same day or the next day.
Tip: Carry your own helmet and protective gear for yard and road training to avoid wearing helmets and protective jackets that are useless and worn by thousands of people.
All the best!
License centres
Emirates Driving Institute
Phone: +971 4 263 1100
Website: http://www.edi-uae.com
Galadari Driving Institute
Phone: +971 4 267 6166
Website: http://www.gmdcbranch.com
Dubai Driving Institute
Phone: +971 4 345 5855
Website: http://www.dubaidrivingcenter.net
Al Ahli Driving Institute.
Phone: 800 252454
Website: http://www.alahlidubai.ae
