![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KWOH2VK5PPCXU4XMF5VG7XJAMQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1bc48c4416ef696e7bd5e67a4e3f1fd030508a620337fcd91a6e4cf2d89ec8d2&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BB3YPPOWNLRNP55BU5WLWMYNH4.jpg?smart=true&auth=c6f6b183394bd9d2239f63304efedecbdb6a890811b4332db7df6650893a1d0b&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EFAK6VAGR6BKLYYVAVDTSFTG7Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=592905e4e816996d145b510e83300efd0fc4e67af207e368ba598e63256b7e9c&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NQRHPICHD23AMK5BX3CEDKBB3I.jpg?smart=true&auth=d52a651f2d56c03e028161195a64c368002917a835a97dfbbd34f6749c224e8c&width=400&height=225)
Part of the learning process involves manoeuvers in a closed car park, followed by lessons on the roads. Leslie Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/77JTCTYUBPBVRMZ47AGF5FNZEQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=d6e1af8ffea7bb9250780008b7d50a853d8fb3a1571605f78d817a34c327771d&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JNOMZC4JNALC7O52ZF4WDVSPAM.jpg?smart=true&auth=472bb040fd17afa19167117270350881606405d72219a09751d675a0f4cb383d&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KWOH2VK5PPCXU4XMF5VG7XJAMQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1bc48c4416ef696e7bd5e67a4e3f1fd030508a620337fcd91a6e4cf2d89ec8d2&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BB3YPPOWNLRNP55BU5WLWMYNH4.jpg?smart=true&auth=c6f6b183394bd9d2239f63304efedecbdb6a890811b4332db7df6650893a1d0b&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EFAK6VAGR6BKLYYVAVDTSFTG7Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=592905e4e816996d145b510e83300efd0fc4e67af207e368ba598e63256b7e9c&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NQRHPICHD23AMK5BX3CEDKBB3I.jpg?smart=true&auth=d52a651f2d56c03e028161195a64c368002917a835a97dfbbd34f6749c224e8c&width=400&height=225)
Part of the learning process involves manoeuvers in a closed car park, followed by lessons on the roads. Leslie Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/77JTCTYUBPBVRMZ47AGF5FNZEQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=d6e1af8ffea7bb9250780008b7d50a853d8fb3a1571605f78d817a34c327771d&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JNOMZC4JNALC7O52ZF4WDVSPAM.jpg?smart=true&auth=472bb040fd17afa19167117270350881606405d72219a09751d675a0f4cb383d&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KWOH2VK5PPCXU4XMF5VG7XJAMQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1bc48c4416ef696e7bd5e67a4e3f1fd030508a620337fcd91a6e4cf2d89ec8d2&width=400&height=225)
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
How to book a driving test in Dubai and how much does a driving licence cost in 2021?
Drivers can now exchange their UAE licence for a UK one without taking a new test – so what does it involve?
![Kelly Clarke](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F0d1398b1-947f-4bc8-a663-69c6b02cb849.png?smart=true&auth=168c867e0c9f9e3320a65ec2cb755dfde78d4c07327944646c4aad65792033ee&width=70&height=70)
Kelly Clarke
10 October, 2021
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