If your UAE driving license is due to expire, applying for renewal in the UAE is simple. In fact, the application procedure takes only a few minutes whether you apply online or in person.
But what if your driver’s license has expired for years?
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) offers an online service for renewing a driver’s license. If the driver’s license has expired for more than ten years, the applicant can only renew it after passing a road test, according to the RTA.
Let’s start by looking at what happens if you don’t renew your driver’s license when it expires.
Late renewal fees
According to the RTA, the penalty for failing to renew a driver’s license for fewer than ten years is Dh10 each month, with a maximum punishment of Dh500 imposed on the license holder.
An individual can apply for a driving license renewal by paying the late renewal fees in such circumstances.
According to the RTA, if the license has expired for more than ten years, the customer can only renew it after passing the road test.
Follow these steps to begin the process of renewing your driver’s license:
- Go to a driving school in Dubai and tell them about your situation. Your traffic file will be reviewed, and based on your driving experience, you may be asked to take a few classes before taking the road test, or you may be able to schedule a road test on the next available date.
- Eye test – you will next be required to take an eye test, which is required of all applicants as part of the driving license renewal process.
- Take the road test – You’ll be given a driving manual and a date for your road test. You can apply for a renewal online, at an RTA center, or at a driving institute once you have passed the road test.
Cost
These are the service costs a person must pay if their driver’s license has not been renewed in over 10 years, according to RTA information:
- Dh200 for opening a training file
- Dh100 for issuing a learning application
- Dh50 for the handbook manual
- Dh200 RTA test fees
- Dh500 for the delay in renewing the driving license
- Dh300 driving license renewal fee
- Dh20 Knowledge and Innovation fees.
Total cost: Dh1,370
Also Read: Have you lost your driving license? Find out how to replace it online in the UAE
Applying for renewal online:
You can complete the renewal process online regardless of when your driver’s license expires.
If your license was issued less than ten years ago, you would only have to pay late fines (maximum Dh500).
You’ll also need to upload the certificate for passing the driving test if it’s older than 10 years.
Follow these steps to renew your license online once you have all of the necessary documents:
- Use your email address and mobile number to log in to the RTA website or create an account.
- Use this link to access the online service: https://www.rta.ae/wps/portal/rta/ae/home/rta-services/service-details?serviceId=3704299&lang=en
- Select ‘Apply Now.’
- After that, you must enter your traffic file number, after which you will be routed to the renewal application portal.
- Attach the necessary documents.
- You must pay the fees.
- You will then receive a temporary driving license through email, which you can print while you wait for the genuine one, which can be provided via two channels:
- Customer Happiness Centres in Deira or Al Barsha
- By courier, for an extra Dh25 fee.