Dubai: Medical permits a must for truck drivers from September 15

Dubai: Truck drivers will soon have to prove they are medically fit to drive, in a move the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) hopes will improve road safety.

The initiative is part of a federal law that is being implemented in Dubai in different phases. The driving licences of truck drivers will not be renewed without a medical permit from September 15. The permits have to be renewed annually.

In the first phase the RTA made medical permits mandatory for new driving licence applicants planning to work as professional or commercial drivers. In the next phase, which begins mid-October, the RTA will make medical permits mandatory for bus and taxi drivers before they renew their licences.

“We have already started implementing the medical tests for all professional drivers who apply for a new driver’s licence. We are now moving to the next phase, which will begin from September 15, where we will ensure all truck drivers pass the medical fitness test before they renew their driver’s licence,” said Ahmad Hashim Behroozian, CEO of the RTA’s Licensing Agency.

Since May commercial drivers learning to drive have been required to undergo a medical test at one of the seven authorised medical centres. According to the RTA so far around 300 medical tests have been conducted on new drivers.

The medical permits are issued by the seven authorised medical centres where doctors conduct special tests and candidates with ailments such as epilepsy, certain types of diabetes, heart disease and blood pressure will not get the permits.

“People with certain health conditions have sudden seizures, which if it happens while driving can cause fatal accidents. Allowing them on the road for many hours is putting their lives and that of other road users in grave danger. We have drawn up a medical standard which is inspired by a similar system in place in the UK and we hope this will help in reducing road accidents caused by drivers’ unstable health,” added Behroozian.

The medical tests, which are authorised by Dubai Health Authority (DHA), are conducted at Prime Health Care Centre, Aster Medical Centres, DHA clinics, Zulekha Hospital, Iranian Hospital, Canadian Hospital and Gulf Health Care Centre.

Awareness

The law covers all categories of drivers such as bus drivers, heavy vehicle and pick- up drivers, chauffeurs and domestic drivers as well as taxi and limousine drivers.

“All residents of Dubai whose visa categorises them as drivers are covered by the law and they will need to take the mandatory medical test before applying for a new licence or renewing their licence. Let me be clear that this test is not the same as the one conducted before getting the work permit,” said Behroozian.

As part of the campaign to raise awareness about the initiative the RTA is getting in touch with individual drivers as well as firms via e-mail and SMS.

“All Dubai companies will soon receive a broadcast e-mail with this advice. Individual drivers are already informed by e-mail and SMS when it is time to renew their driver’s licence. Commercial drivers will receive a second SMS that informs them that a medical test is also required before licence renewal,” said Behroozian.

Behroozian said that the RTA is implementing the project in stages to give companies as well as the authorised medical centres more time to adjust to the new requirements.