Any way around the drivers test??

[anchorriver]

Hi all, I am posting on behalf of my wife. We have recently arrived and I have converted my American license to a Dubai license no problem. Unfortunately the wife has a license only from Trinidad, so she is looking at a 20 lesson minimum. It is also ridiculously expensive, over AED 3000. Is there any way around this riduclous fee? If I go with her to the traffic police branch where I transferred my license, is there any chance I can help her out? Will they respond favourably to someone in an EK uniform? Anyone have any advice, or does she just have to bite the bullet and go to the driving school?

p.s., she has been driving since 1999.....

[777boyindubai]

Not sure about the exact answer to your question. However, if you have a driving licence from your home country which matches your passport (ie an American licence with an American passport, there is a conversion that doesn't need further lessons. It mainly applies to the US, UK, EU and Aus. If the passport and licence are not the same they won't do it. Hope it goes well for you, bud.

[Panama Jack]

I am glad that the Emiratis are so strict with foreign drivers-- that explains why the roads in the UAE are have disciplined, courteous, law abiding drivers circulating on them.

[Skylight Dome]

@Panama Jack, I get your cynical remark.

But I'm genuinely glad that they do not just accept and convert any banana-licence in the UAE. Driving standards are already poor enough here as it is, so any unverifiable and unknown licence-owners will just have to, at least, go for a driving test. I believe that's fair enough, and would welcome even stricter rules (and better training standards).
Anybody who has ever been hit by a truck or a taxi driver with a stupid grin on his face saying "oooh, sorrysorrysorry my friend" would probably agree.

[Neptunus Rex]

Anchorriver

Check the prices. I heard recently that driving lessons in Abu Dhabi start at AED 30, well short of the AED 150 you seem to have been quoted.

[littlejet]

But I'm genuinely glad that they do not just accept and convert any banana-licence in the UAE. Driving standards are already poor enough here as it is, so any unverifiable and unknown licence-owners will just have to, at least, go for a driving test.

Licence holders from 36 countries can make the transfer without driving/taking the test.

So, 18 year old teenager who just passed the driving test, say, in OZ driving on the other side of the road is more verifiable and known than 50 year old driver from Hungary or Slovenia which are by your words banana license countries.

gimme a break

[Tony Mabelis]

When I lived in Dubai (many years ago thankfully) it was said of the driving test, that if you could engage the clutch without stalling the motor, you were home and dry!!

Tony

[Panama Jack]

@Skylight Dome,

Thanks for catching the cynical remark.

However, I feel that (with the exception of Oman) the problem in the GCC countries is sometimes over-the-top entry standards and draconian rules but a complete lack of policing and enforcement beyond that. I am not certain whether it is an aversion towards direct confrontation (I have my doubts whether traffic cameras are really effective to enforcing proper driving techniques versus the chance of having a patrol car just over the hill).

I sometimes also feel that the policing focuses on the wrong type of offenses. I could be arrested, cursed out, fined or even tossed in jail for eating and drinking in public during the Holy month of Ramadan, even though the Holy Koran may permit it in my situation and it does not create any harm to anybody else. However, if I am driving like an idiot at 50 km/hr over the speed limit, there is little likelihood that I will be stopped even while passing a slow-moving police vehicle. The same goes for "creative parking" in some parts of the GCC. The difference here is that my driving antics create a nuisance or even very real danger to society and the innocent public.

I believe that anarchy begins with an indifference to observing the rules.

[pzu]

UK Provisional worked for my wife - a few years back

When the wife arrived in '72 she had just failed her UK licence;

Presented her UK provisional and Dubai licence issued no problem, however when on the school run she got squeezed at the Clock Tower by an ex Army Bedford 3 tonner driven by an Afghan/Baluchi!!!

Dubai Police wanted to 'shaft' the driver - as I did, but I realised that the Police had a photo copy of her UK 'licence' and was unsure of what would happen in a court case;

I knew someone who knew someone in Traffic Police and the driver thought it was Xmas - charges dropped if my car repaired OK - it was;

The same 'someone' may have been responsible for my Speeding fines - first offence fined 100 Riyals (Dirhams) yes it was that long ago!!! Rumours were that subsequent offences would see doubled fines!!! my next was 50 Riyals and the third was 25 Riyals

I left shortly afterwards

PZU - Out of Africa (Retired)

[RunSick]

There´s also a list of professions thtat allow you to take the "short" groundschool, which basically reduces everything to aprox 3 days. Pilot is on that list, as well as doctor and several other careers. Worth to take a look at.

[Royalblue]

Hi Anchor !!! My wife and I had the same problem. After 3 months of painful research we found a loophole. Call Belhasa Driving Center(we did it through the kiosk at LULU next to the Mall Of Emirates) and ask for the DIRECT TESTING, by doing that she will skip the 20 lessons and will only do 1 day of Theory , Theory Exams and the driving test itself. It all took us total of 2 weeks and it costs around 1900 Aed with all the fees. Good luck to you and your wife !!!

[bherald]

Erratic and Inconsistent

Like almost everything else there, nothing is consistent or clear. Depending on which individual you deal with at the licensing authority, you may be off the hook, or otherwise in deep trouble and complications.
A friend of mine from an Arabic origin had a UK driver's license since 1978. He had been driving all over the world using it. In the UAE, he was told that he could easily exchange it with a local license. All went well until they found out that he was not British!!!!!!!!!! He was trying to argue the relationship between the nationality and the origin of the license. This was Chinese to the officer who got fed up and decided that my friend needed to go to a driving school (theory for 20 lessons and 5 practical) then make an appointment after three months to take the test. He had to go through all this which cost him a fortune and a very long time.
This is to say that anything can happen, so be as patient as possible. Welcome to Arabia.

[Al Fakhem]

I have often wondered whether, as an Emirati citizen, you are automatically handed a driving licence. Judging by their driving style, it is simply impossible that they have benefited of any formal tuition.

[Patty747400]

anchor

I hope you find a way around this. But, as an EK pilot, if you consider 3000 AED for 20 driving lessons "ridiculously expensive" I wonder what you compare with... Somalia?

[anchorriver]

Dear all,
I want to thank you all for the information you provided, especially Royalblue, Sir. Safe flight,
AR

[Gulfstreamaviator]

Discount on fines 50%

Good news, the Dubai authorities are officially introducing 50% discount for all traffic fines.



The catch is you must pay all your fines to get the discount....but when you register every year you must pay all your fines anyway....

sandy out today can not see the difference....glf