Getting a driving licence in the UAE and being a safe new driver

A licence is real independence, and real responsibility. New drivers are statistically the most likely to crash, so the habits you build in your first year matter more than how well you pass the test.

The minimum age

• The UAE's federal traffic law, Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024, came into force on 29 March 2025. According to Gulf News, it lowers the minimum age for a driving licence to 17 (by the Gregorian calendar). Before this the minimum was 18.
• The law also requires you to pass a medical examination (or provide an approved medical report) and a driving test. Licence types and their conditions are set out in the executive regulations.
• Khaleej Times reported in June 2025 that most driving institutes were still asking learners to be 17 and a half to register for lessons while they waited for the change to be applied. Ask your local licensing authority or approved driving institute what applies now.

How the process usually works

• In each emirate, licences are issued by the local authority (in Dubai, the RTA). You train with an approved driving institute rather than learning with a parent on public roads.
• Expect stages such as opening a file, an eye or medical test, theory lessons and a theory test, practical lessons, and final practical tests including a road test. Exact stages, fees and lesson hours vary by emirate and institute.
• Get the official list of requirements from the licensing authority or the institute before you pay for anything, and keep every receipt and document together.
• If you hold a licence from another country, ask the authority whether it can be exchanged rather than starting from scratch.

Why new drivers crash

• The US CDC says newly licensed teens are more likely to miss dangerous situations and make critical errors simply because they lack experience.
• Passengers: CDC says teen or young adult passengers raise a teen driver's crash risk, and the risk grows with each extra passenger.
• Night: CDC says the fatal crash rate at night for drivers aged 16 to 19 is about 3 times that of drivers aged 30 to 59, per mile driven.
• Phones: WHO says drivers using mobile phones are about 4 times more likely to crash, and hands-free phones are not much safer than hand-held.
• Speed: WHO says each 1% rise in average speed raises the risk of a fatal crash by about 4%.

Habits of a safe new driver

• Seat belt on for everyone, every trip. WHO says seat belts reduce the risk of death for vehicle occupants by up to 50%.
• Phone on 'do not disturb' and out of reach before you start the engine. Set the map and music before you move.
• Limit passengers and night driving in your first months, and say no to friends who want you to show off.
• Keep a safe gap from the car in front, and leave more space in rain, sandstorms and fog.
• Never drive tired, unwell, or after taking any medicine that warns about drowsiness.
• If you are in a crash, stop, make the scene safe, check for injuries and call 999 (police) or 998 (ambulance) in the UAE.

Being a good passenger

• Wear your seat belt in the back seat too.
• Do not distract the driver with your phone, loud music or pressure to drive faster.
• If a driver is speeding, using a phone or seems impaired, you can ask them to stop, and you can refuse to get in. Agree a 'no questions asked' pick-up plan with your family for these situations.