Dubai
All those wannabe drivers out there – not just the youth but the swelling ranks of newly arrived expats in Dubai - sure make a strong case for a start-up driving institute. That is exactly what has come to pass with the recent launch of Drive Dubai, only the sixth authorised driving instructor, and the opening of its new facility late last week at Dubai Investments Park.
Drive Dubai is now putting more than 350 aspirants through the many steps before they can get their hands on a license. The DIP facility can provide for up to 640 classes a day.
The choice of DIP as the location works well given the prevailing population spread in the city. “This is an ideal location for aspirants living within DIP, in Jebel Ali, Motor City, Sports City, IMPZ, Arabian Ranches, as well as International City,” said Toufic Fouad Syriany, Manager, Drive Dubai. The company is a subsidiary of Masharie and operates in partnership with Belhasa International Group and the Saif Belhasa Group.
“This location had been identified over four years in advance, and the management had a focused plan surrounding the strategy to go forward with the driving school project.”
Masharie itself is a subsidiary of Dubai Investments, a diversified group with interests ranging from property development to industrial operations. But why would Masahrie look to back a driving institute given that operating costs are on the higher side and yields relatively low?
Khalid Bin Kalban, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Investments,, denied this is the case. “Masharie llc measures the feasibility of its potential ventures to ensure the project gives favourable returns on investment,” said Bin Kalban. “We believe the driving school is a promising venture and expect to earn significant profits on the resources and expertise invested.”
Drive Dubai was formally launched in July and registrations, according to the official, started picking up over the last three months. It has a current fleet strength of 40 vehicles and that includes buses and trucks. The association with Emirates Driving School (EDI) ensures “convenient access” to additional fleet supplies if required.
“Alternatively, we would also look at increasing the fleet based on the number of registrations and consequent demand,” said Syriany. “The DIP centre is a one-stop for all the services that would be required to acquire a driving license - right from eye examinations, signal tests and lectures through to the testing and issuance of driving licence permits for novice drivers or foreign licence holders.”
