Dubai residents now given 'golden chance' to convert driving licence without lessons

Abu Dhabi already offers the option which can save drivers money by bypassing lessons

Learning to drive from scratch involves passing a theory course then at least 10 lessons lasting two-hours. You must pass a practical road test at the end to get your licence. Christopher Pike / The National

An instructor pictured at Emirates Driving Institute's Al Qusais campus. Rory's tip is to book your lessons for rush hour so you get used to the hectic roads. Christopher Pike / The National

Part of the learning process involves manoeuvers in a closed car park, followed by lessons on the roads. Leslie Pableo for The National

A masked instructor gives a student pointers. Going over the basics again and again is the key to passing the test. Leslie Pableo for The National

The whole process takes about two months, depending on how many attempts it takes to pass. Most driving schools offer fast-track courses. Leslie Pableo for The National

Taleb Mahmoud Ayub, head of operations at Emirates Driving Institute, talks to an instructor during a tour for The National. Leslie Pableo for The National

Residents in Dubai who already hold a driving licence — from a country not eligible for automatic conversion — can now take a driving test without having lessons first.

It is known as the 'golden chance' and is already being offered to drivers in Abu Dhabi.

Motorists who arrive to Dubai from certain countries, such as the UK, need only to visit the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to convert their foreign licence to a UAE version. Others must take driving lessons and pass the necessary tests despite already having passed a driving test in their home country.

Lessons and associated costs amount to about Dh7,000 ($1,906) but can run up to Dh20,000.

The change was announced on the authority's Twitter account with the link on where to apply.

“The golden chance was brought in at the start of the month by the RTA and it is proving really popular,” a member of staff from Emirates Driving Institute told The National.

“We’ve already seen loads of people applying to do it.”

To apply for the golden chance test, applicants must pay a fee of Dh2,200, which covers both the written driving test as well as getting behind the wheel.

If the applicant fails to pass the test, they must undertake a series of lessons before reapplying.

Driving licence holders from 32 approved countries are automatically eligible for a UAE licence. These include the US, UK, Germany, France, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and China.

If the licence was issued by a country not on that list, such as India and Pakistan, the process must start from the beginning again.

The golden chance test does not offer the opportunity for new drivers to skip that process and prove they can drive safely, regardless of their nationality.

Driving instructor Zubeida with a Bentley car instructing Nick Webster at the Emirates Driving Institute, Dubai. Leslie Pableo for The National

Taleb Mahmoud Ayub, Head of Operations next to a Tesla car at the Emirates Driving Institute, Dubai. Leslie Pableo for The National

Driving instructor Zubeida inside a Bentley car instructing Nick Webster at the Emirates Driving Institute, Dubai. Leslie Pableo for The National

Driving instructor Zubeida inside a Bentley car instructing Nick Webster at the Emirates Driving Institute, Dubai. Leslie Pableo for The National

A Mini Cooper specially for women drivers at the Emirates Driving Institute, Dubai. Leslie Pableo for The National

A Mercedes and Tesla at the Emirates Driving Institute, Dubai. Leslie Pableo for The National

Instructor Sabia teaching a students pointers in driving at the Emirates Driving Institute, Dubai. Leslie Pableo for The National

A Mercedes and Tesla at the Emirates Driving Institute, Dubai. Leslie Pableo for The National