UAE Driving License Cost
2026 Full Fee Breakdown
Every fee involved in getting a UAE driving licence — new licence, renewal, foreign exchange and test fees for Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. All figures verified from official RTA and government sources.
⚠ Fee Disclaimer: All fees on this page are based on officially published RTA, ADDC/TAMM and SRTA schedules as of 2025–2026. Driving school training fees vary between institutes and are not fixed by the government. Fees are subject to change without notice — always confirm the latest amounts directly with the RTA (rta.ae), TAMM (tamm.abudhabi) or your chosen driving school before making any payment.
Quick Summary
How Much Does a UAE Driving Licence Cost?
Costs vary significantly depending on your emirate, experience level and how many test attempts you need. Below are typical total costs for a new light vehicle licence.
🏙️ Dubai
AED 4,500–7,000
Full new licence — beginner
Traffic fileAED 200
Learning permitAED 100
Theory testAED 200/attempt
Driving schoolAED 3,500–5,500
Road testAED 200/attempt
Licence issuanceAED 300
Knowledge & InnovationAED 20
🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi
AED 5,000–7,500
Full new licence — beginner
File openingAED 200–800
Eye testAED 100–200
Theory testAED 250/attempt
Driving schoolAED 4,500–7,000
Road testAED 250/attempt
Licence issuance~AED 600
🏢 Sharjah
AED 3,500–6,000
Full new licence — beginner
AuthoritySRTA
Theory test~AED 50/attempt
Driving schoolVaries by institute
ProcessSame as Dubai/AD
NoteConfirm fees with SRTA
Dubai — Detailed Breakdown
Dubai RTA Driving Licence Fees 2026
New Light Vehicle Licence (LMV) — Government Fees Only
| Fee Item | Amount (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic file opening | 200 | Mandatory first step — paid once per application |
| Learning permit (LMV) | 100 | Light vehicle category. Heavy vehicles: AED 200 |
| Eye test | 140–180 | At any RTA-approved optical centre. Results sent electronically |
| Theory test | 200 | Per attempt. No limit on retakes. Fee paid each time |
| Driving school training | 3,500–5,500 | Varies by school and number of lessons. Not a government fee — set by each institute |
| Internal yard/assessment tests | Included | Usually included in driving school package |
| RTA road test | 200 | Per attempt. Conducted by RTA examiner on public roads |
| Licence issuance | 300 | One-time fee when licence is issued |
| Knowledge & Innovation fee | 20 | Mandatory government fee on all RTA licence services |
| Total estimate (passing 1st attempt) | AED 4,500–6,200 | Depends on driving school chosen |
Dubai Driving Licence Renewal Fees
| Fee Item | Amount (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Renewal fee — over 21 | 300 | Standard renewal fee for adults |
| Renewal fee — under 21 | 100 | Reduced fee for younger drivers |
| Knowledge & Innovation fee | 20 | Applies to all renewals |
| Eye test | 140–180 | Mandatory at renewal. At any RTA-approved optical centre |
| Late renewal fine | 10 / month | Charged per month after licence expiry date |
| Total renewal (over 21, no late fine) | AED 460–500 | Renewal fee + Knowledge fee + eye test |
Foreign Licence Exchange in Dubai (Eligible Countries Only)
Eligibility: Direct exchange is only available to holders of licences from RTA-approved countries (currently around 57 countries). India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Egypt and Nepal are NOT on this list. Confirm your eligibility at rta.ae before proceeding.
| Fee Item | Amount (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eye test | 140–180 | Mandatory for all applicants |
| Traffic file (if required) | 200 | May be required depending on applicant category |
| Licence issuance | 300 | UAE licence issuance fee |
| Knowledge & Innovation fee | 20 | Mandatory on all RTA services |
| Translation (if required) | Varies | Required for licences not in Arabic or English. Certified translator fees apply |
| Total estimate (eligible country) | AED 950–1,100 | No theory or road test required for eligible countries |
Abu Dhabi — Detailed Breakdown
Abu Dhabi Driving Licence Fees 2026
New Light Vehicle Licence — Full Process
| Fee Item | Amount (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| File opening | 200–800 | Varies by driving school |
| Eye test | 100–200 | At an ADDC-approved optical centre |
| Theory test | 250 | Per attempt. 45 questions, pass with 32 correct (71%) |
| Driving school training | 4,500–7,000 | Varies by school and number of lessons |
| Road test | 250 | Per attempt. Conducted by Abu Dhabi Police examiner |
| Licence issuance | ~600 | Paid via TAMM on approval |
| Total estimate (passing 1st attempt) | AED 5,000–7,500 | Depends on driving school and number of lessons |
Abu Dhabi Driving Licence Renewal Fees
| Renewal Period | Fee (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year renewal | 140 | Short-term renewal |
| 3 year renewal | 300 | Most common option for residents |
| 5 year renewal | 550 | Best value for long-term residents |
| Eye test (if required) | 100–200 | Required depending on age and licence category |
| Late renewal fine | 10 / month | Charged per month after expiry. Clear all outstanding fines before renewing |
Abu Dhabi renewal tip: Renewal is done online through the TAMM platform (tamm.abudhabi) using UAE Pass. Some applicants may be required to complete an eye test depending on age and licence category — TAMM will indicate this during the online process.
Save Money
How to Reduce Your UAE Driving Licence Cost
The biggest variable in your total cost is test retakes and extra lesson hours. Here is how to minimise both.
Pass the theory test first time: Each failed attempt costs AED 200 in Dubai or AED 250 in Abu Dhabi. Candidates who practise with mock tests consistently score higher and save on retakes.
Bring your foreign licence to enrolment: Holders of a valid driving licence from any country typically qualify for reduced practical lesson hours — 10 hours instead of the standard 20. This can save AED 1,000–1,500.
Try the Golden Chance route: Experienced drivers from non-exchange countries (including India and Pakistan) can attempt the theory and road tests directly without driving school. Passing on the first attempt saves the full driving school cost — potentially AED 3,500–5,500.
Compare driving schools: Government test fees are fixed, but driving school training fees vary significantly between institutes. Compare packages at 2–3 approved schools before opening your traffic file.
Renew on time: A late renewal fine of AED 10 per month applies in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi from the day of expiry. Set a reminder 3 months before your licence expires.
FAQ
Driving Licence Cost — Common Questions
How much does a UAE driving licence cost in total?⌄
For a new beginner licence: Dubai typically costs AED 4,500–7,000, Abu Dhabi AED 5,000–7,500, and Sharjah AED 3,500–6,000. The largest single cost is driving school training. Government fees (file, tests, issuance) are standardised — the variation comes from the driving school you choose and how many test attempts you need.
How much does it cost to renew a UAE driving licence?⌄
In Dubai: AED 300 (over 21) or AED 100 (under 21) plus AED 20 Knowledge & Innovation fee plus an eye test (AED 140–180). Total is typically AED 460–500 for adults. In Abu Dhabi: AED 140 for 1 year, AED 300 for 3 years, or AED 550 for 5 years, plus eye test if required. A late fine of AED 10 per month applies after expiry in both emirates.
How much does the UAE theory test cost?⌄
In Dubai the theory test costs AED 200 per attempt. In Abu Dhabi it costs AED 250 per attempt. In Sharjah it is approximately AED 50 per attempt. There is no limit on retakes but each failed attempt requires full payment again.
Is it cheaper to get a licence in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?⌄
Dubai is typically slightly cheaper for the full new licence process — AED 4,500–7,000 versus AED 5,000–7,500 in Abu Dhabi. However the difference largely comes down to which driving school you choose. Theory and road test fees are slightly lower in Dubai (AED 200 vs AED 250 per attempt in Abu Dhabi). Sharjah is generally the most affordable of the three.
Can I reduce the cost if I already have a foreign driving licence?⌄
Yes. Holding a valid foreign driving licence typically qualifies you for reduced practical lesson hours — around 10 hours instead of 20 — saving AED 1,000–1,500 in driving school fees. Bring your original foreign licence to registration. If your country is on the RTA exchange list, you may be able to skip all training and tests entirely, reducing the total cost to around AED 950–1,100.
Are driving school fees fixed by the government?⌄
No. Driving school training fees are set by each institute individually and are not fixed by the RTA or government. Government fees such as the traffic file, tests and licence issuance are standardised. Always compare training packages at two or three RTA-approved schools before opening your traffic file.
Fee Disclaimer: All fees on this page are based on officially published RTA Dubai, ADDC/TAMM Abu Dhabi and SRTA Sharjah schedules as of 2025–2026. Government fees (file opening, tests, licence issuance) are sourced from official authority publications. Driving school training fees are market estimates and vary between institutes — they are not government-fixed. All fees are subject to change without notice. Always verify the most current fees directly with the RTA (rta.ae), TAMM (tamm.abudhabi), SRTA or your chosen driving school before making any payment. TheoryTestRTA.com accepts no responsibility for any discrepancy between the figures shown and the fees charged at the time of your application.