Obtaining a driving licence

Dubai: With the growing number of foreigners coming to Dubai for the purpose of finding better jobs, having a driver's licence has become a necessity for many. And until the city's metro system is operational, being able to drive seems to be one of the best options.

To obtain a driver's license in the city, residents need to attend classes offered by authorised institutes.

Beginners need to take around 40 to 50 lessons whereas those who have prior driving experience and have licences from other countries may require about 20 classes.

For opening up a file at a driving school, trainees should be at least 18 years old and must provide a no-objection letter from their sponsors.

They must also provide a certificate for an eye test which can easily be conducted at any authorised optical centre and at most hospitals and clinics for a nominal fee. Some driving centres carry out eye tests on their premises as well. Registrants will also need to bring copies of their passport and the residence visa along with passports-size photos.

Dubai offers a variety of driving institutes. At bigger centres, lessons are usually scheduled whereas in smaller institutes students can ask for lessons whenever they have time. Learners can also decide whether they want to take lessons on an automatic or a manual car. Practising on a manual car is slightly cheaper.

At Al Ahli Driving Centre, the cost for taking a lesson on a manual and automatic light vehicle are Dh60 and Dh65 respectively. Like many other driving institutes, the centre, also offers speedy classes, called the VIP Service, for Dh125 per class through which people can finish the training early.

Applicants availing the service can begin lessons after a week of their registration period and get a test date (depending on trainee's level of performance) within a week after the completion of the course.

Each session, whether normal or special, lasts for a duration of around 35 minutes. Two classes are conducted daily.

At Al Belhasa Driving Centre, which has 18 offices in the emirate, training on both automatic and manual cars costs Dh60. Two lessons are held on alternate days.

The VIP service costs Dh150 per class. Classes begin 45 days after the registration and students can get a date for the road test after a week from the conclusion of their course.

The driving test includes an internal test to assess parking skills which is overseen by the driving school, a second test where applicants have to identify road signs, and finally the road test with a Traffic Police officer.

Required documents: