Asan Tata— November 9, 2026Renewing a driving licence in the UAE is about to change. From 1 January 2027, new federal traffic rules will set fresh validity periods, require retests for licences expired for more than ten years, and give learners more time on their permits. The rules come from Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026, the executive regulation of Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024.
Most drivers will notice little difference. A normal renewal still follows the same online steps through the RTA in Dubai or the licensing authority in your emirate.
Quick Answer
From 1 January 2027, UAE driving licences will be valid for one year for drivers under 21, two years for first-time drivers aged 21 or older, ten years for UAE and GCC nationals aged 21 or older, and five years for expatriate residents. If your licence has been expired for more than ten years, you must pass theory and practical tests to renew it. Learner permits can last up to six months, instead of three. In Dubai, renewal costs AED 300 for drivers aged 21 or older and AED 100 for drivers under 21, plus an eye test and a late fine of AED 10 per month, capped at AED 500.
What Changes From 1 January 2027
Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026 was enacted on 6 October 2026, replacing the older Ministerial Resolution No. 130 of 1997. The same decision also covers a nine-hour daily driving limit, a five-vehicle registration cap, e-scooter permits from age 15, and a 75 percent minimum pass mark in driving tests. The changes apply across the UAE, but each emirate’s licensing authority sets its own procedures, so check the authority that issued your licence.
New Validity Periods for Driving Licences
Article 55 sets out how long a licence stays valid, depending on your age and on whether you are a UAE or GCC national or an expatriate resident.
| Driver | Licence validity |
|---|---|
| Under 21 years old | 1 year (temporary licence, renewable for another year) |
| First-time driver aged 21 or older | 2 years |
| UAE or GCC national aged 21 or older | 10 years |
| Expatriate resident aged 21 or older | 5 years |
Licences issued to drivers under 21 are temporary. They last one year and can be renewed for another year. Once the holder turns 21, the licence moves to the longer period that matches their nationality and residency status. First-time drivers aged 21 or older will receive a two-year licence, then move to the ten-year or five-year period at renewal.
Retests for Licences Expired Over Ten Years
Article 76 of the new regulation deals with reassessing drivers. It applies to anyone who has not renewed their licence for more than ten years from the date of expiry.
If that applies to you, you must pass the theory and practical tests set by your licensing authority, and meet the other renewal conditions, such as holding a valid Emirates ID and passing the medical fitness check.
The ten-year count starts from the date the licence expired, not from the date it was first issued. The article does not require a full beginner driving course or mandatory training hours, and the Federal Traffic Council may set the minimum tests needed.
What Dubai already requires today
Retesting long-expired licences is not entirely new in Dubai. The RTA already requires an evaluation test for motorists who renew a licence that expired more than ten years ago. Book an appointment, choose an institute, pay the fees, and take the test. If you hold more than one category on such a licence, you only need one evaluation test for the light vehicle category. Pass it, and all categories are included in the renewed licence. Drivers who hold a licence from an exception country are exempt from the test.
The new rule speaks of theory and practical tests, while the RTA calls its assessment an evaluation test. Whether the two are identical will become clear when each authority publishes its 2027 procedure.
Learner Permits Last Longer
Article 82 says anyone learning to drive must hold a learner permit. It can be valid for up to six months and can be renewed, double the old three-month limit under Article 109 of Ministerial Resolution No. 130 of 1997.
The wording sets a maximum, not a fixed term, and it does not automatically extend permits already in force. Only the learner and the instructor may be in the vehicle during instruction, and a learner may not drive on roads in populated areas unless the instructor is satisfied that the learner can control the vehicle.
Minimum Ages for Each Licence Category
Article 54 sets minimum ages for eight licence and permit categories, ranging from 17 to 21 years.
| Licence category | Minimum age |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle, Category 1 | 17 years |
| Light vehicle (car) | 18 years |
| Heavy vehicle | 20 years |
| Light or heavy mechanical equipment | 20 years |
| Light bus | 21 years |
| Heavy bus | 21 years |
| Motorcycle, Category 2 | 21 years |
The age of 17 applies only to the smaller motorcycle category. For an ordinary car, you must be at least 18, and for a bus, at least 21. Applicants must also hold a valid Emirates ID, be medically fit, pass the required tests, and pay the set fees.
How to Renew Your Driving Licence in Dubai
Most renewals in Dubai are done online and take only a few minutes once the eye test is complete. The RTA lists these steps on its official service page, updated on 28 October 2026.
Step 1: Take an eye test
Visit an RTA-approved eye test centre. The result is valid for three years. The test usually costs between AED 140 and AED 180, depending on the provider.
Step 2: Log in and select the service
Log in on the RTA website or the RTA Dubai app with your valid Emirates ID, passport, or UAE Pass, and enter the one-time password sent to your phone. Then choose “Renewing a Driving Licence” and confirm your licence details.
Step 3: Choose delivery and pay
Choose how to receive the licence: a digital licence in the RTA Dubai app wallet, printing at a self-service machine, or card delivery. Standard delivery costs AED 20, same-day AED 35, within two hours AED 50, and international delivery within GCC countries AED 50. Pay all outstanding traffic fines and the renewal fees first, as the renewal cannot be completed while fines are unpaid. The digital licence is issued instantly.
You can also renew through the RTA chatbot Mahboub, the DubaiNow app, a customer happiness centre, or a self-service kiosk. A licence issued in another emirate cannot be renewed in Dubai.
Renewal Fees and Fines
Fees differ by emirate and by channel, so confirm the current amount on the official page before you pay. For Dubai, the RTA lists these amounts.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Licence renewal, aged 21 or older | AED 300 |
| Licence renewal, under 21 | AED 100 |
| Knowledge and innovation fee | AED 20 |
| Eye test at an approved centre | AED 140 to AED 180 |
| Standard card delivery | AED 20 |
| Same-day card delivery | AED 35 |
| Delivery within two hours | AED 50 |
People of determination with a Sanad card receive a 50 percent discount on RTA services. The renewal date is counted from the day you apply, so renewing early does not waste the remaining validity.
Late renewal fines
If you renew after the expiry date, the RTA charges a delay fine of AED 10 per month from the expiry date, up to AED 500. Many guides mention a 30-day grace period, but the RTA page states the fine from the expiry date, so do not rely on a grace period. Driving with an expired licence is a separate offence, carrying a fine of AED 400 and four black points.
When can you renew early?
If you are 21 or older, you can renew up to six months before the expiry date. If you are younger than 21, up to three months before. You cannot renew a temporary or interim licence, and visitors on a visit visa cannot renew a licence without a valid Emirates ID.
Other 2027 Driving Changes Worth Knowing
The licence rules are only one part of Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026. Other changes from the same decision, all taking effect on 1 January 2027, include a minimum pass mark of 75 percent in driving tests, a nine-hour daily driving limit, a cap of five registered vehicles per person, and e-scooter permits for riders aged 15 and older.
If you are learning to drive, the 75 percent test rule matters as much as the longer learner permit. Scoring 75 percent is the minimum, not a guarantee of a pass. Dangerous mistakes, such as losing control, hitting a kerb, ignoring signs, or forcing the examiner to intervene, mean automatic failure. Check your expiry date now with our guide on how to check your driving licence expiry.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Most renewal problems are easy to prevent. Do not renew late and then drive anyway: the delay fine is small, but driving on an expired licence costs AED 400 and four black points. Do not forget the eye test, as the renewal cannot move forward without a valid result from an RTA-approved centre. Clear all unpaid fines first, because the system blocks the renewal until they are paid. Renew your Emirates ID first if it has expired, since the photo on the new licence comes from the Emirates ID record. Finally, do not wait too long after expiry: a licence expired for more than ten years needs tests before renewal, so renew before the new rules take effect if your licence is close to that point.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the new UAE driving licence rules start?
The new rules take effect on 1 January 2027, under Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026.
How long is a UAE driving licence valid for now?
From 1 January 2027: one year for drivers under 21, two years for first-time drivers aged 21 or older, ten years for UAE and GCC nationals aged 21 or older, and five years for expatriate residents aged 21 or older.
Do I need to retake a driving test to renew my licence?
Not for a normal renewal. Tests are only needed if your licence has been expired for more than ten years. In Dubai, the RTA already requires an evaluation test in this situation.
How much does it cost to renew a driving licence in Dubai?
AED 300 for drivers aged 21 or older and AED 100 for drivers under 21, plus a AED 20 knowledge and innovation fee. An eye test costs about AED 140 to AED 180, and standard card delivery costs AED 20. Fees can differ in other emirates.
What happens if I renew my licence late?
The RTA charges a delay fine of AED 10 per month from the expiry date, up to a maximum of AED 500. Driving with an expired licence carries a separate fine of AED 400 and four black points.
How long is a learner driving permit valid for?
From 1 January 2027, a learner permit can be issued for up to six months and can be renewed. The old limit was three months. Only the learner and the instructor may be in the vehicle during instruction.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only. Rules and fees can change, and each emirate’s licensing authority sets its own procedures. Check the RTA website or your emirate’s licensing authority before you act. This is not legal advice.
Sources: Khaleej Times (6 November 2026, updated 8 November 2026); Gulf News (4 November 2026); Roads and Transport Authority, “Renewing a Driving Licence” service page (updated 28 October 2026); Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026.
Last Updated: 9 November 2026
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