Dubai to hold medical tests for motorists aged 65 and above

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced that motorists aged 65 and above who wish to renew their driver licences in the emirate will soon have to undergo medical tests.

The medical screening will be conducted at public and private hospitals and clinics approved by the RTA in Dubai.

The RTA also confirmed that the validity of the renewed driver licence for older motorists has been reduced to three years instead of five or 10 years.

The new regulations will be implemented from September 1, a statement said.

“The introduction of this initiative stems from the keenness of the RTA to achieve the highest traffic safety levels for road users at top-class international standards,” said Jamal Assada, director of Drivers Licensing at RTA’s Licensing Agency.

“The test is intended to verify if motorists are free from diseases that may impact their driving abilities to the extent of posing risks to road users.

“There will be an online link with the approved hospitals and clinics enabling them access to the online licencing system of the RTA to judge the medical condition of applicants for driver licence renewal,” he said.

The renewal of driver licences service will be available through RTA’s call centre (8009090), website and mobile app.

“Introducing the medical fitness as a precondition for the renewal of driver licences reflects RTA’s commitment to the life of motorists and road users comprising pedestrians and vehicles,” added Assada.

The ruling comes after a new federal law governing driving licences in the UAE was introduced on July 1.

Under the new regulations, expatriates in the UAE aged over 21 will have to renew their driving licences once in every five years – up from the current validity period of 10 years.

Meanwhile, UAE citizens and GCC nationals will continue to have their licences valid for 10 years.

For those aged less than 21 years – whether citizens, GCC nationals or other nationalities – the initial validity of the driver license issued, replaced or renewed shall be one year.

Read more: Dubai to implement new rules for driving licences from July 1

Also read: Dubai’s RTA says NOCs for driving licences can now be submitted online