Dubai Now Provides Online Driving License for Boats and Vessels

Online services have been introduced in Dubai for obtaining an online marine driving license for both boats and large vessels, facilitating easy access for an amateur or professional boater. Launched by the Dubai Maritime Authority under the aegis of the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), this initiative would facilitate the applicants to complete the entire process of getting online driving license for boats from their home for the exam and in case of a positive outcome, the receipt of the marine license without appearing in person in front of the authority.

The process begins with the submission of the relevant documents followed by a multiple-choice theoretical examination. The number of questions depended on the size of the vessel. Those who want to operate the boats with a maximum 12-meter length are to answer as many as 25 questions, while those applying for vessels maximum of 24 meters will face 50 questions. Rashid Khalifa Al Falasi, Manager of Maritime Enablement at the Dubai Maritime Authority, explained that theory-test criteria involve global maritime safety and navigation standards.

There are two types of marine licenses, the pleasure license, which is for private owners of boats, and the commercial one for vessels that are used in business activity, such as a tourist yacht or a floating restaurant. Moreover, applicants are classified by their ages and the size of the vessel they want to operate.

The cost incurred for acquiring a marine license includes the application fee which is AED 500 valid for five years, AED 600 for exam fees and an additional AED 20 for innovation and knowledge services. For those who want to take a hit for training again, particularly applicants who have licenses expired, there is a crash course online at cheaper rates of AED 500. The training course will run for four hours and help them prepare for the theory test.

Those interested in applying for a license must first download the Smart DMA app and log in to the app with UAE Pass. After that, newly registered users can start the application and attach their accredited training course certificates whenever applicable. Training programs on related aspects of marine licenses are provided by the Dubai Maritime Authority and other accredited institutions.

For applicants seeking a commercial marine license, a practical test will need to be attended. These are licensed commercially for using boats or ships that engage in business, thus more responsible. The authority also has special crowd management training by which crew members of tourist vessels and floating restaurants learn how to control any kind of emergency in vessels that carry more than 50 passengers.

Age restrictions for a marine license would depend on the kind of vessel. Those wanting to operate boats within 12 meters must be above 16 years while for those wanting to operate 24 meters, boats should be within 18 years, and 20 for anything larger. An individual must also be at least 20 to apply for a commercial marine license.

The new initiative has considerably simplified things for the citizens as well as the expatriate applicants to assume common eligibility criteria, fees, and requirements. Seen against this backdrop, the growing levels of demand for marine licenses in the UAE-from the 3,124 issued in 2023 and with an increase expected to go up to 3,913 in 2024 it has now become all more likely that such online service initiatives would bridge access to maritime services even further and wider.