Although there is a good transport system in Dubai the majority of people prefer private, car transport to better know the city they currently live in.
It must be noted that in Dubai all car owners must have a current valid driving license. Similarly, the residents who would like to drive Safari vehicles, Tram, or such other vehicles, and the residents who work as drivers in any organization requires a special driving license.
REQUIREMENT
In order to apply for all categories of special driving permits, the applicants must have their Emirates ID number. Should your intention be a safari driving permit, then you will also be required to present an Electronic Criminal Record Certificate from Dubai Police.
ELIGIBILITY
Safari driving permit
It is very important to note that to be awarded a safari driving permit, eligibility is to be at least 21 years old and be contracted with a tourist firm that specializes in organizing safari trips. As a first step, you have to get the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the company. You must then display a certificate of successful completion of the ‘Tourist Guide Training Program.’ However, as for your UAE driving license, it must be at least 2 years old before applying for a license in this country. You have to clear your medical fitness because you present a valid medical test that has been conducted in any of the accredited hospitals.
Tram driving permit
There are certain requirements that qualify one to fill an application for the tram driving permit and among them is that, one must be employed with a company that owns or operates trams. To qualify for the country, you have to produce a certificate that shows you passed the tram driving training program, which was developed based on the Competency Management System under the supervision of the contractor, owner, or operator.
Vehicle of special nature driving permit
Any corporate employee whose work profile involves driving within the company premises can apply for a vehicle of special nature driving permit. However, you need to first pass the test of traffic signs and a practical test by the RTA before getting this permit. You will also be required to have in your possession a valid training and inspection site permit relating to works of special nature. You are also required to present valid eye test results that confirm your eyesight is perfectly in check. Notably, this special driving permit cannot be utilized outside the premises of your company.
Occupational Driving Permit
This special permit, in particular, applies to heavy vehicle and bus drivers and personal drivers of light vehicles hired by any Dubai residents or any citizen. They should be able to show that they are medically fit with valid medical test results from one of the accredited hospitals.
How to apply
You can submit an application for a special driving permit via the RTA website by doing the following:
- Login with your RTA account or start using your UAE Pass account.
• You will be governed to the homepage, and it will ask ‘Do you have an RTA account?’
• Click ‘No’ or ‘Yes’, whichever is applicable to you.
• Fill all the information required mentioning your username and password.
• After setting your username and password, log in and proceed to the Dashboard.
•_Click ‘Licensing’.
• Then fill in the information required such as plate number, plate code, and plate category.
•_Click ‘Submit’.
• Go ahead and pay the fees needed.
You can also acquire a special driving permit through one of the three accredited driving institutes.
• Visit your preferred driving institute accompanied by all of the aforementioned requirements, such as your company NOC, medical certificate, certificate from the Department of Dubai Economy and Tourism indicating that you have passed the tourist guide training program, along with a certificate from Dubai Police stating about your criminal record in case of a safari permit application.
• Pay the required fee.
Also, if you live in the vicinity of Al Jaddaf, you can get this special driving permit from Belhasa Driving Institute behind Al Wasl Club which opens on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from Mondays to Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
You can also apply for your permit at the Emirates Transport Driving Institute. It is open Sunday to Thursday, 8.15 am-11 pm. You could also visit the center on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The address is 13th street, behind Al Bustan Ctr. and AL Nahda Metro Station, Al Qusais 1.
You can also visit Galadari Motor Driving Centre any time between 8am and 10pm from Sunday to Friday. The institution is located near Amman Street, Al Qusais Industrial Area 4.
Fees for service
This is what you will pay when you apply for your safari driving license:
• Dh200 for safari learning permit fees.
• Dh200 for practical test fees.
• Dh300 for safari driving permit fees.
• Dh20 or more for knowledge and innovation fees.
Meanwhile, to get your occupational driving permit, you pay for:
• Dh200 for occupational permit fees.
• Dh20 or more for knowledge and innovation fees.
Here is the breakdown of how much it will cost for you to get your Tram Driving Permit:
• Dh500 for Tram Learning Permit Fees
• Dh500 for Tram Driving Permit Fees
• Dh20 or above for knowledge and innovation fees.
This is what you have to pay for driving permit for vehicle of special nature:
• Dh200 for learning driving permit for vehicles of special nature fees
• Dh200 for knowledge test fees
• Dh200 for practical test fees
• Dh300 for driving permit for vehicles of special nature fees
• Dh20 or more for knowledge and innovation fees
Moreover, you need to prepare between Dh200 and Dh700 for your medical test. The price will vary depending on which hospital.
Dubai motorists to renew licenses, and registrations through mobile phones
Validity
Special Permits for Learning
The Tram learning permit is six months while other types of permits are three months.
Special Driving Permits
The driving permit for vehicles of a special nature is two years, and the safari driving permit, tram driving permit, and occupational driving permit are all one year.