Expats in UAE will have to renew driving licences once in five years

A new law will now require expatriates living in the UAE to renew their driving licences in five years, instead of 10, according to a local media reports.

A new ministerial decree for the year 2017 issued by Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and minister of interior has amended the regulations of the federal law regarding traffic laws.

Under the amendments, starting from July 1, new drivers will only be issued licences for a period of two years.

Following that, expats will have to renew their driving licences once every five years while Emiratis will have to do so every 10 years.

The new rules are expected not to immediately apply to existing licence holders.

Under current regulations, the cost of renewal for a driving licence in the UAE is Dhs110.

Under the decree, authorities may also issue driving licences valid for only one year for certain categories.

Patients with certain ailments that affect their ability to drive may also not be issued licences – following coordination with health authorities.

The new rules also specify that vehicles will have to stick to a speed limit of 40 km per hour in residential areas, and caution drivers against making loud noises or endangering the lives of pedestrians near hospitals and schools.

Children over the age of 10 are allowed to sit in the front seat of the vehicle, while every passenger in the vehicle will be required to wear a seatbelt.

The newly amended law also covers motorbikes and other vehicles, stating that motorists without proper licences and permits are not allowed to drive motorbikes, electric scooters, tricycles and quad bikes.

It also stressed that electric scooters and quad bikes are only allowed in the the desert with proper licencing.