Renew your driving licence online

Dubai: Motorists in Dubai can now renew their driving licences online, Gulf News has learnt.

"We have launched the online driving licence renewal service this week," Engineer Ali Al Jasem, Director of the Licensing Department at the Licensing Agency of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said.

He said the new service would help reduce road trips of motorists saving their time and money. Also, they do not have to wait in queues to get the job done.

Al Jasem told Gulf News that online driving renewal service was the latest addition to the e-service provided by the Agency to benefit the RTA customers.

Ahmad Bahrouzian, CEO of the Licensing Agency earlier said the RTA would also develop an online portal to help motorists renew their vehicle registration without making trips to the RTA offices. "The initiative will help customers complete many other services online service, including purchasing of number plates, vehicle ownership certificates and driving test appointments."

Al Jasem said that customers interested in renewing their driving licences will have to do their eye tests first and send details using the e-services on the RTA's website.

They will have to pay Dh110 as renewal fees. On receiving a complete online application, the licence will be posted to the applicant within four working days.

According to the RTA's statistics, around 1.2 million people in Dubai hold driving licences while an average of 12,000 licences per month were issued during the course of last year.

"All these people have to go to the RTA offices to get service and have to wait in queues. The new online services will help reduce the rush," he added.

Eye tests: RTA signs agreement

The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed an agreement with Al Jaber Optical Centre and Al Yateem Optician for conducting eye tests of applicants who apply for driving licences.

Any one applying for a new driving licence or renewing a licence can go to any shop of Al Jaber and Al Yateem opticians in Dubai to have their eyesight checked - a prerequisite to obtain a driving licence.

The eyesight test will cost Dh25. Din Raj, an administrator at Al Yateem, said that their shops have already started conducting the tests and the online service will be available within a week's time.

Customers need to bring two photographs, a passport copy or any other proof of identity. A customer can either take a certificate of the test results and submit the application in person or the optician can send the results directly to the RTA.

Are you excited about this initiative? Will this help save time? What other suggestions do you have to make this system faster?

It is an added advantage for those who need to renew their driving license. This shows the initiative of RTA and serves the nation with hassle free customer care support. I am sure all uae residents will enjoy and benefit from this intiative.
Shihab
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 14:39

Well done. Another innovative move from RTA. Highly appreciable. I am working in Abu Dhabi and it helps me very much since my Licence is due for renewal soon. Many thanks and best wishes to RTA.
Kunhu Mohammad
Abu dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 14:05

This is one of the best ideas for Dubai residents thanks for that. Any person out of country and needs to renew the licence, what about the eye test, can he send the eye test report from his country? and get the licence renewed. if can be considered it would be appreciated. Thanks
Mohammad Aslam Khan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 13:10

Very excited with this new initiative. Especially the advantage of not waiting in long queues is the attraction of this initiative. Great!
Sunil Raj
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 13:10

Such a step forward by the RTA. This simply indicates Dubai is more and more becoming a people's haven. Simple correction to Abd. Majid's input. This has to be done to update visual responsibness saving life and property on the road. It is just a file for record.
Marr
Manila,Philippines
Posted: April 27, 2009, 13:09

It's really a commendable initiative by RTA. The people who are busy with their jobs will highly be benefited and save their time. On the other hand, it will help to reduce the traffic jams and panic among the residents.
Qaena
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 13:08

Yet an other visionary step.
Sajjad Gill
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 12:59

You should issue license on the National ID. To aviod any further documents or proof.
Johnson
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 12:45

the new system of online renewal would be nice. however it would be great if we could also renew our mulkiya online annually as we have difficulty renewing on time due to many reasons especially if we are abroad or can't reach on time to the RTA. Thanks again for the new services
Sheetal K
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 12:33

thanks for your future planing.
Halil
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 11:58

I am glad to hear about this online service initiative, but with a bit confusion that why eye test for renewal of driving as the person already went through it while applying the frist time? Moreover, if we consider it a prerequisite to do so for renewal of license,don't RTA think its queing again? But at the same time its really very appreciated.
Abdul Majid
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 11:08

Sure..I am excited about this one. I wish the approved optical shops in other emirates also had the authority to issue eye sight certificate.
George Joseph
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 10:59

Dear Sir Realy i am happy to hear about this online service and save our time. very good for those who have no time to go RTA office. Thanks RTA.
Aloysius Nazareth Felix
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 10:23

It is another great step from RTA and helpful for the people to save their valuable time. Please come up with more and more such brilliant ideas!!!
Rengith Ravindran
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 10:04

RTA truly desrves a pat on their back for their innovative thinking and 12k licenses in a month is amazing turnaround. Well done RTA...
Raghavendra Kulkarni
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 10:01

Kudos to the RTA, these kind of amazing initiatives really make us love this city more... this will really help us save time and the fees is quite reasonable AED135 in total...Thank you indeed :)
Mohammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 09:53

I'm simply excited about this new system as it will save a lot of time and will definitely be a more efficient manner of operating. Do you think you will be able to reduce the Salik fee by a Dirham or two. I always thought that the 4 Dirham fee was a bit extravagant. Regards,
Lorraine Miranda
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 08:30

Not too impressive as I will still have to go for my eye test and anyways a license is renewed once in 10 years and I think I can spare 1 hour in ten year for doing something which helps me everyday.
Salman Asif
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 08:17

From Time to time we are getting new move from RTA and on line license renewal will help us a lot from wasting our time in traffice and waiting in line
From A Reader
DUBAI,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 08:13

Indeed this is a very positive move towards saving time and money, easing traffic congestions, and even helping out in saving the environment. I'm looking forward to see this scheme expand, perhaps to include vehicle registration soon.
Tony
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 08:07

It's truly amazing the way the Dubai govenment adheres to technological advances to improve public services. That's the way to go...
Abdul Raheem
Umm Al Quwain,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2009, 07:42