Dubai - Expats with GCC licences to take fresh driving test
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Dubai - Expats with GCC licences to take fresh driving test
Expats with GCC licences to take fresh driving test
By Asma Ali Zain
6 April 2007
DUBAI — Expatriate driving licence holders of 36 countries, including the GCC states, will now have to pass a test to acquire a UAE driving licence, a senior official of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has said.
Earlier, driving licence holders of these countries could exchange their foreign licences for a UAE licence.
Speaking to Khaleej Times yesterday, Shihab Hamad Bu Shihab, Manager of Driving Licences at the RTA, said the step had been taken to unify the driving styles of these drivers with those in the UAE to make the country's roads safer for motorists.
Bu Shihab said the new rule was implemented on January 15 this year. The official did not explain why passport holders of these countries, including Oman and Kuwait, would still be allowed to convert their licences to the UAE's, after paying Dh100. "Licence holders from these 36 countries will have to attend a minimum of 21 classes before qualifying for a driving test conducted by the RTA," the official noted. The 36 countries include Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK and the US.
By Asma Ali Zain
6 April 2007
DUBAI — Expatriate driving licence holders of 36 countries, including the GCC states, will now have to pass a test to acquire a UAE driving licence, a senior official of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has said.
Earlier, driving licence holders of these countries could exchange their foreign licences for a UAE licence.
Speaking to Khaleej Times yesterday, Shihab Hamad Bu Shihab, Manager of Driving Licences at the RTA, said the step had been taken to unify the driving styles of these drivers with those in the UAE to make the country's roads safer for motorists.
Bu Shihab said the new rule was implemented on January 15 this year. The official did not explain why passport holders of these countries, including Oman and Kuwait, would still be allowed to convert their licences to the UAE's, after paying Dh100. "Licence holders from these 36 countries will have to attend a minimum of 21 classes before qualifying for a driving test conducted by the RTA," the official noted. The 36 countries include Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK and the US.
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I think you can drive on an international license for a month or perhaps 2?
Just enough time to book some driving lessons to get a uae license!
Lesson 1 This is the horn. You will use this more than your'e mobile phone while you are driving!
Lesson 2 This thing works the indicators? dont worry you will never use it!
Etc....
Just enough time to book some driving lessons to get a uae license!
Lesson 1 This is the horn. You will use this more than your'e mobile phone while you are driving!
Lesson 2 This thing works the indicators? dont worry you will never use it!
Etc....
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When I first saw this top post, I found myself looking to the date, thinking it would read April 1st. Then I read Panama Jack’s reply and became a believer. Then I started searching for my copy of ‘The Caravan’ to add my contribution to the suggested study required for obtaining a UAE licence:
And don’t forget the requirement to hold a ‘conch shell’ to your right ear at all times when driving.
(Translator’s Note: Phorwealdryves were the swift and sprightly steeds on which the young warriors of Knoteetinghamm jousted daily, often to the death, upon the dunes around their scattered tents. It was usually a timid, almost passive creature. However, the moment a young Knoteetinghammi warrior cast his thighs across its saddle, it became like unto a raging bull, unable to bear the sight of any other phorewealdryve unless that animal be far behind it. To see other phorwealdryves in line upon the desert sands would send it into a slavering, eyeball-rolling frenzy and plunge headlong past them, its two bright eyes flashing, until it found itself at the head of the queue… or smitten against the flank of another phorwealdryve, itself almost certainly racing to the head of yet another oncoming queue.
Where the phorwealdryves were hastening to, no one knew, for they seemed to go nowhere but in endless circles seeking out more queues of phorwealdryves to jump. In the market square, Gull Fnewz, the Cherif’s trusted herald, expounded almost daily upon varying theories passed to him by visitors from many lands who witnessed this strange and fearsome trait. Although still unproven to this day, it is believed by many learned scholars that the phorwealdryves and their young riders were in search of their final resting place, the fabled Doubleparkoutsidetheshwamashoppe.)
Where the phorwealdryves were hastening to, no one knew, for they seemed to go nowhere but in endless circles seeking out more queues of phorwealdryves to jump. In the market square, Gull Fnewz, the Cherif’s trusted herald, expounded almost daily upon varying theories passed to him by visitors from many lands who witnessed this strange and fearsome trait. Although still unproven to this day, it is believed by many learned scholars that the phorwealdryves and their young riders were in search of their final resting place, the fabled Doubleparkoutsidetheshwamashoppe.)
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Wow, now imagine being sent out to Silicon Oasis, doing your first 3 months in training and having to look forward to (and find time for 20 sessions of driving lessons) just to be able to get around. Not EK's fault but sure not a great introduction to life in the sandpit either.
A few months ago, 7Days did a story where a driving instructor from the UK came down and took some driving lessons at the various schools around Dubai. I couldn't find the link but suffice to say, it was pretty horrific. Tuition included how to jump the queue, speed up for a yellow light and cross 4 lanes without indicating (extra points for that). That must be the problem, the rest of us just haven't learned how to adapt our "style" to the local "style" of driving.
A few months ago, 7Days did a story where a driving instructor from the UK came down and took some driving lessons at the various schools around Dubai. I couldn't find the link but suffice to say, it was pretty horrific. Tuition included how to jump the queue, speed up for a yellow light and cross 4 lanes without indicating (extra points for that). That must be the problem, the rest of us just haven't learned how to adapt our "style" to the local "style" of driving.
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uae driving
when is this supposed to start i saw this on the dubai 1 news the other night.
also if you have a uae license will that come into force when that expires
mine still has 6 years left on it mind you being in saudi at the mo, the standard is a 100 per cent worse here in the other sand pit.
also if you have a uae license will that come into force when that expires
mine still has 6 years left on it mind you being in saudi at the mo, the standard is a 100 per cent worse here in the other sand pit.
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It looks for many as if the smellier of the two buckets just headed further lower - yet again - and is now clearly passed the one with cash in it...
What a bunch of complete and total lunacy. Miss the place? NOT!!
What a bunch of complete and total lunacy. Miss the place? NOT!!
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The weird discriminating thing is: you will only need to do this if you are a resident. The moment that pink residence visa goes into your passport, you can not drive around anymore with an international driving licence, even in a rental car. Visitors however, who do not have the experience of driving on UAE roads, who don't even know where hey're going, can easily rent a car and it's fine for them to drive around in it... Weird.
Does anyone know if you can get a Sharjah or Abu Dhabi driving licence? Is this a UAE rule, or just a Dubai rule? Just looking for a loophole to help out future friends who might come and join us.. (in our misery...).
MR8
Does anyone know if you can get a Sharjah or Abu Dhabi driving licence? Is this a UAE rule, or just a Dubai rule? Just looking for a loophole to help out future friends who might come and join us.. (in our misery...).
MR8
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QUOTE
Does anyone know if you can get a Sharjah or Abu Dhabi driving licence?
UNQUOTE
If you live in a specific Emirate that's where you'll have to get your driver's license. I'm sure they'll extent that rule to other Emirates if they didn't do it yet. It's an experience you'll remember forever. This is 2nd hand but factual information. Good luck to all!
Does anyone know if you can get a Sharjah or Abu Dhabi driving licence?
UNQUOTE
If you live in a specific Emirate that's where you'll have to get your driver's license. I'm sure they'll extent that rule to other Emirates if they didn't do it yet. It's an experience you'll remember forever. This is 2nd hand but factual information. Good luck to all!
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ooooooohhhh mmmmmyyyyy superior being
this is the most outrageous piece of law making I have witnessed in my time in the UAE. ....I dont see India , Pakistan, Saudi, Sri lanka,or egypt on the list......most of the countries I see above are the only ones that can drive.
Why not get the insurance companies to publish a list of all accidents that have occured in the UAE in the past 5 years with a break down of what nationalities caused what accident and lets see who should be driving and who shouldnt......sorry boys but if this is true....it is rediculous
the only way to fix the driving problem in Dubai is more patrols and an even playing field for all law breakers
TR
this is the most outrageous piece of law making I have witnessed in my time in the UAE. ....I dont see India , Pakistan, Saudi, Sri lanka,or egypt on the list......most of the countries I see above are the only ones that can drive.
Why not get the insurance companies to publish a list of all accidents that have occured in the UAE in the past 5 years with a break down of what nationalities caused what accident and lets see who should be driving and who shouldnt......sorry boys but if this is true....it is rediculous
the only way to fix the driving problem in Dubai is more patrols and an even playing field for all law breakers
TR
.It would be nice if somebody could find a nice loophole,keep us posted 
.
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TR -
Actually, I think most other countries were already on *the list* - these 36 countries are new additions. So basically, everyone has to do the lessons when moving to the UAE now - then everyone will be at the same idiotically cr@p, rude, arrogant, brainless and stupid levels that the authorities expect here.
Gillegan -
A friend of mine had to do the 21 lessons. They can vouch for how the 7days UK driving instructor said. My friend was taught how to *not* let people cut in in front of you, how to drive 1 metre behind the car ahead whilst driving down SZR at 100kph and how to horn at every little event, in addition to those things noted by this UK instructor.
I'm guessing that stop and stare at every single road incident/crash, especially if it looks particularly serious is another thing the *quality* driving schools in the UAE also teach.
Actually, I think most other countries were already on *the list* - these 36 countries are new additions. So basically, everyone has to do the lessons when moving to the UAE now - then everyone will be at the same idiotically cr@p, rude, arrogant, brainless and stupid levels that the authorities expect here.
Gillegan -
A friend of mine had to do the 21 lessons. They can vouch for how the 7days UK driving instructor said. My friend was taught how to *not* let people cut in in front of you, how to drive 1 metre behind the car ahead whilst driving down SZR at 100kph and how to horn at every little event, in addition to those things noted by this UK instructor.
I'm guessing that stop and stare at every single road incident/crash, especially if it looks particularly serious is another thing the *quality* driving schools in the UAE also teach.
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hey tail,
ppl from those countries you mentioned are A.L.R.E.A.D.Y on the list. How long have you lived here?? Where is your situational awareness??
Do you have a problem with pilots converting their JAA or FAA licences to the GCAA equivalents, hmm? So... since they already fly the big shiny, new jets in europe, hell, they should just be allowed to fly here with no questions asked
...how dare they question the superior race about their abilities and credentials!!!!!!
I think the KKK are still recruiting, but you don't have to be a skinhead anymore...
PEACE
mV8
ppl from those countries you mentioned are A.L.R.E.A.D.Y on the list. How long have you lived here?? Where is your situational awareness??
Do you have a problem with pilots converting their JAA or FAA licences to the GCAA equivalents, hmm? So... since they already fly the big shiny, new jets in europe, hell, they should just be allowed to fly here with no questions asked
...how dare they question the superior race about their abilities and credentials!!!!!! I think the KKK are still recruiting, but you don't have to be a skinhead anymore...
PEACE
mV8
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yeah mustangV8, you are completely right ! the standard of driver training in india/pakistan is exactly the same as europe. how dare these people even begin to think that different cultures have different driving standards. shocking, completely shocking.
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Hey Mustang
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/116783...ving_in_india/
Looks like any intersection I see, at anytime, anywhere in Dubai
Compare this chaos to European roads fella
The driving is definitly better.
TR
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/116783...ving_in_india/
Looks like any intersection I see, at anytime, anywhere in Dubai
Compare this chaos to European roads fella
The driving is definitly better.TR
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same, same Vietnam 
Now you know why all the motorcycles have their rear vision mirrors turned inwards!
Now you know why all the motorcycles have their rear vision mirrors turned inwards!