UAE introduces one-year driving licences for motorists aged 17 to 21

The new executive regulations for the Federal Traffic Law (Law No. 14 of 2024), which take effect on January 1, stipulate that driving licences issued to individuals aged between 17 and 21 are temporary, valid for one year, and renewable for the same period. For applicants aged 21 or older, a first-time driving licence is valid for two years.

The regulations further specify that once a licence holder reaches the age of 21, or when an existing licence is renewed, the validity period is 10 years for UAE citizens and citizens of other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, and five years for non-citizen residents of the UAE. These licences are renewable for equivalent periods.

The regulations set out five requirements for the issuance or renewal of driving licences:

    Submission of a valid identification document.

    Compliance with the age requirements prescribed in the decision.

    Proof of medical fitness, supported by a medical report issued by a competent health authority in the country and approved by the licensing authority. The report must confirm the applicant’s physical, visual, and mental fitness, as well as the absence of any disease or impairment that could directly affect or compromise their ability to drive safely.

    Successful completion of the driving test administered by the licensing authority, in accordance with the rules and procedures set out in the decision.

    Payment of the prescribed fees.

People of determination are exempt from the standard medical fitness requirements and are instead subject to the specific provisions applicable to them. The competent health authorities in the country must coordinate with the licensing authority to notify it of individuals who develop medical conditions that may impair their ability to operate a vehicle. In consultation with the relevant medical authorities, the licensing authority may also propose additional criteria for the required medical examination, subject to approval by the Federal Traffic Council.

The regulations specify eight types of driving licences and permits issued by the licensing authority, defining the vehicles that may be operated under each and the minimum age requirements for holders:

    Light vehicle driving licence: 18 years

    Heavy vehicle driving licence: 20 years

    Light bus driving licence: 21 years

    Heavy bus driving licence: 21 years

    Licence for light machinery and equipment: 20 years

     Licence for heavy machinery and equipment: 20 years

    Class 1 motorcycle licence: 17 years

    Class 2 motorcycle licence: 21 years

The regulations exempt two categories from the requirement to obtain a driving licence: personnel from military, security, and police departments operating military, security, or police vehicles, provided they hold authorisation from their respective competent authorities; and drivers of vehicles registered and licenced in a foreign country that are exempt from the registration and licensing provisions of the Decree-Law and these regulations. Drivers in the latter category may operate these vehicles if they hold a valid driving licence issued by the competent authorities of that foreign country or a valid international driving permit, for the duration of their authorized stay in the country, whether for transit, a visit, or the performance of a specific task.

The regulations also set out provisions for holders of international or foreign driving licences. Individuals in four categories who hold valid international or foreign driving licences or temporary driving permits and are authorised to stay in the country without residency status may drive light vehicles and motorcycles during their stay without obtaining a local driving licence. These categories are: nationals of countries that have entered into a bilateral memorandum of understanding with the UAE on the mutual recognition of driving licences, holders of driving licences issued by countries exempted by a Cabinet decision, holders of valid international driving permits, and holders of driving licences issued by any Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member state.