UAE | Traffic and Transport

Abu Dhabi to make ID cards mandatory again

Emirates Identity Authority Acting General Manager Dr Ali Al Khoury said the authority had written to the Ministry of Interior to implement an earlier decision in this regard.

By Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter
Published: 00:00 July 28, 2010

A crowd gathers at the reception desk of Emirates Identity Authority office to obtain their ID card

Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
A crowd gathers at the reception desk of Emirates Identity Authority office to obtain their ID card.

Image 1 of 3: 1 2 3

Abu Dhabi: Identity cards will soon be mandatory for obtaining Traffic Department services in Abu Dhabi, Gulf News was told on Tuesday.

Emirates Identity Authority Acting General Manager Dr Ali Al Khoury said the authority had written to the Ministry of Interior to implement an earlier decision in this regard.

Although the Ministry of Interior (MoI) had made the ID card mandatory for obtaining traffic services on May 2, the decision was put on hold on May 9, due to the crowds gathering at the registration centres of Emirates Identity Authority (Eida).

Police had reported difficulty in controlling the scores of residents who thronged the Emirates Identity Authority centres in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah as they were not able to apply for a driving licence or renew their vehicle registration without an ID card.

However the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai did not implement the decision.

The MoI made the ID card mandatory for Traffic Department services in four northern emirates — Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain in November 2009.

Comments (10)

Added 17:01 July 28, 2010

The service provided by EIDA is extremely bad. When my family and self first applied for the ID, it took us 3 visits and hours of waiting even though we had confirmation and appointment for the same. ID card renewal can be done only in El Moshref centre in Abu Dhabi and on the website as well as call centre it is said that no prior appointment is required for renewal. When I visited the centre for renewal well within working time with 1.5 hrs remaining to closing time, I was rejected entry saying there is rush of people so we cannot take any more people. The security personnel as well as in-charge were very rude and were least bothered of the plight of people who left office/work just to come for the ID renewal. I even suggested to start appointment system for renewal but again they refused saying appointment is not meant for renewals. It is sad to see such service from them.

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 16:01 July 28, 2010

As you know, every individual irrespective of their age and profession should submit their Passports to the IMMIGRATION DEPT. for Visa endorsement or for its renewal. It is my opinion that arrangements be made at the Immigration Office to provide Emirates ID along with the renewal of Visas. This will avoid lot of chaos and inconvenience to the general public as well as duplication of paper work etc.

Unnikrishnan, Al Ain, India

Added 15:39 July 28, 2010

i think it would be better if they include this process together with renewing the labour card or new issuance of labour card. at least it would lessen the burden for both the employee and and ministry.

Anonymous, dubai, Philippines

Added 15:18 July 28, 2010

All this started about 3 years back, while the best way to implement the same was to get it done while renewing or issuance of work permit/residence visa which happens every three years and in line with the ID card validity. If that had happened then, every legal souls in the country would have an ID by the end of this year or early next year avoiding all these confusions!!! It's still not late to implement this!

Sreejith, Kochi, India

Added 12:27 July 28, 2010

YES IF THEY CAN MERGE IT WITH LABOUR CARD AND OTHER REQUIRED CARDS SO ITS EASY AND IT CAN BE DONE AT THE SAME TIME WITH LITTLE MORE AMOUNT.

Qaiser, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 11:37 July 28, 2010

I think this would prove good decision to submit copy of your ID to renew your vehicle licence. By this way the governmnt should be able to have data base of those who already have ID cards, & those who don't should go to get it. I believe linking up of services will produce a documented society eventually. For UAE nationals , I think the ID card should be minimum for a period of 20- years or better if for life.

Riffat, Fujairah, United Arab Emirates

Added 10:58 July 28, 2010

I visited EIDA office three times, 2 times with family and 1 time alone, but not a single time I was entertained. There is no person available to guide or help you. The staff members do not like to speak any other language except arabic, why? 1st time I visited with my family around 11 AM but they said to come at 8:00 AM. So 1st I visited alone before 8:00 AM and I was made standing outside the gate in hot weather for 2 and half hours but no one told us what to do so one of the applicant asked one staff member what to do but he replied in harsh manner that who has asked you to stand here, keep standing I don't care. So this type of treatment we are getting. 3rd time I visited with my family before 8:AM along with my small children and even then they didn't let us enter the gate and we kept on standing in scorching sun for around 45 minutes. So this is the whole story. I have not seen such a service. Now they are saying that they have created 100 centers for getting application processed but be reminded that not a single station I could see in Musaffah or near by.

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 10:11 July 28, 2010

Although it was announced that a new system has been implemented. But whenever i navigate to EIA website for oppointment, it is displaying only "we are currently implementing a new system".

Jawad Hasan, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 09:58 July 28, 2010

I am not able to understand why ID card is not for lifetime. It should be with Visa and renew with visa automatically. The advantages of having the ID Card is not identified till now.The big question is what is the advantage of EID.

Abrar, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 09:18 July 28, 2010

Instead they can integrate the ID Card along with the Visa renewal process. for an additional amount. I suggest as in USA (SSN) once you take the ID Card it should be valid for lifetime. All services at one door is the best to implement any rule in the country. The advantages of having the ID Card is not identified till now.

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, India