The first day behind the wheel of a car when learning to drive can be a nerve-racking experience.
And when the vehicle costs close to Dh1 million ($272,000), stress levels can accelerate further.
But Emirates Driving Institute (EDI) has seen demand soar for its platinum driving course that offers lessons in a fleet of luxury cars.
If the driver is comfortable behind the wheel then they will be more confident on the road
Its collection includes a Dh1m Bentley Bentayga, Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport, Mercedes G500 and C200, and an electric-powered Tesla Model X.
Those looking for a smaller upgrade from the Nissan Sunny people usually learn in, can opt for a Nissan Patrol or Mini Cooper.
When the service launched in 2017, the EDI was registering 10 lessons a month, now it is taking bookings for 50.
“It started when we asked people about the kind of cars they were driving once they passed their test,” said Fatima Raees, the institute’s director of marketing and customer service.
“Quite a few said they had already purchased an SUV or were going to drive their parent’s vehicle, which was often a large, high-powered car.
“The feedback we had was that people were learning to drive in a Nissan Sunny, but wanted to have lessons in their own vehicle.
Learning to drive in luxury
“Some had luxury, high-end vehicles waiting for them at home.”
The institute worked with the Roads and Transport Authority to develop a course to teach people how to drive luxury cars safely.
This developed into a business class-style service, with collection and drop-off by an instructor in a choice of luxury vehicles.
The Bentley Bentayga is the most expensive in the fleet, with a V8 engine and top speed of about 290km per hour.
Despite its capability to reach 100km in just 4.5 seconds, instructors said they felt no nerves when collecting a learner driver for the first time.
“The training begins the moment the client is picked up by the instructor,” said Taleb Mahmoud Mohammed, head of training and operations at EDI.
“Our instructors have been trained to know when to intervene, if necessary, as these cars are very powerful.
“The braking, distance control and cruise control options in these vehicles are completely different to the usual cars we have for learning.”
The lessons begin on a quiet road and each car has dual controls.
Busy highways, school roads and areas with lots of traffic are avoided.
Vehicles have more cameras and sensors than normal, plus a glut of baffling technology that instructors demonstrate how to use correctly.
The course is primarily aimed at business people or wealthy families who want their children to learn how to safely drive high-performance cars.
Superstar DJ David Guetta goes for a spin
One of those to take advantage of the platinum course was French DJ David Guetta, who recently learnt to drive in a Range Rover.
Prices range from Dh23,000 to Dh30,000 for the platinum course, with fees covering lessons until the learner gets their licence, irrespective of the number of classes and test attempts.
A regular set of driving lessons costs, on average, Dh8,000 to Dh9,000.
Students must pass the theory test, parking and initial driver assessment test, and road competence before they are allowed on the road.
"The course is not just about Dubai wanting to be the best of the best, it is about road safety and ensuring new drivers learn the right skills," Ms Raees said.
“Safety features in a luxury car are completely different and they can be confusing to use.
“If the driver is comfortable behind the wheel then they will be more confident on the road.”
Lessons in a Mini Cooper, aimed specifically at women, are also available.
Nick Webster tries out a lesson in a Bentley
As soon as the doors open and you take a seat on the luxurious hand-stitched leather and grasp the ergonomically crafted steering wheel emblazoned with the famous Bentley motif, you know the driving lesson in store is extra special.
My friendly, female instructor talks me through the safety features and shows me how to use the different driving modes operated from a central console.
After buckling up and starting the engine, the Bentley Bentayga offers a throaty roar, so I know it is ready for action.
With my instructor's foot hovering above the dual-brake control, I gently pull away from the car park on to the Emirates Driving Institute’s learning paddock.
A speed limit of 26kph meant I was not exactly putting this thoroughbred of a vehicle through its paces, but it gave me an insight into how to control a car of this size.
The five-seater vehicle weighs more than three tonnes and at five metres in length and more than two metres wide, it is substantially larger than a Nissan Sunny that most people learn to drive in.
It would take substantially longer than my half-hour trial to get to grips with the vehicle's multitude of safety features and driving technology, but instructors said that is exactly why the course is in such demand.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Rashid & Rajab
Director: Mohammed Saeed Harib
Stars: Shadi Alfons, Marwan Abdullah, Doaa Mostafa Ragab
Two stars out of five
