UAE Introduces Two Years Validity for New Driver’s Licenses

After the new license expires, the renewal would be valid for 10 years for Emiratis and GCC nationals aged 21 years and above.

To better monitor driving behaviors, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will begin enforcing a new federal law regarding driver’s license validity starting July 1. Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA Licensing Agency, stated that the initial validity period for a new or replaced driving license is now set to two years (reduced from the previous ten years) for UAE citizens, GCC nationals, and other nationalities aged 21 and above.

After the new license expires, renewals will be valid for ten years for Emiratis and GCC nationals aged 21 and above, and five years for other nationalities. For those under 21, regardless of nationality, the initial license validity will be one year.

Thomas Edelmann, founder and managing director of RoadSafetyUAE, told Khaleej Times that reducing the validity period from ten to five years, and even shorter for motorists with certain chronic illnesses, ensures that drivers are in good health, have proper eyesight, and are fit to operate vehicles.