Since I’m now 17 years and 6 months old, I can officially start taking driving lessons in the UAE. And like me, there are sure to be many others out there who are wondering where to start and how to begin.
When can I start?
First of all, as I already mentioned, you can start driving lessons only once you turn 17 years and 6 months old. However, even if you finish all your lessons and pass the road test, you won’t be able to get your licence until you turn 18—which is the age the UAE government requires all new drivers to be.
Another important thing, you can only get your driving licence from the city where your visa is issued from. For those with Dubai visas, they must take lessons in the city of Dubai, and so on.
In this article, I’m going to be focusing on how to get your driving licence in Sharjah, through the Sharjah Driving Institute.
Opening a traffic file and getting your eye test
The first thing you need to do to start in Sharjah is open a traffic file for AED 200. You can open the file online or at one of the Sharjah Driving Institute branches.
You also need to get your RTA eye test done at a hospital or clinic. This will cost you AED 100 and involves looking into a machine that checks your vision.
Starting lessons and training
Once you’ve got your eye test done, and your traffic file opened, the next step is to register with Sharjah Driving Institute. It costs AED 630, and includes fees for the five theory lectures, and a theory test.
After that, for residents (non-locals), you will need to take 50 driving lessons with your driving instructor in order to pass the final road test. For locals, only 20 classes are required. The cost of each lesson is AED 73 for residents, and AED 63 for locals.
Sharjah Driving Institute allows you to pay in instalments, so after the initial fees of AED 930 (eye test, traffic file, registration, and theory), you can pay a second instalment of AED 2500 for the first 30 driving classes. And then finally, an instalment of AED 2100 for the last 20 classes, after which you will have to pay AED 300 for your final Road Test.
If you fail the Road Test, you’ll have to repay the fees of AED 300, and your instructor will tell you how many classes you will need to retake before giving the test again.
Getting your licence
The Sharjah Driving License Authority (SDLA) issues a driver’s license which is valid for three years. You can apply for a driving license at any of their branches, but only after you’ve passed the road test, and paid up all instalments and attended every class.
Sharjah Driving Institute are professional and friendly, and they will answer any further questions you have, and also lead you along the process. You can call their Main Branch at +971 6 538 2020 or visit their website: https://www.sdi.ae/en/Car-Driving
Conclusion
This was written in October of 2022, and in the future, some rules and fees might change accordingly. I will try my best to keep the article updated, so that it does not lead to misinformation or any inconvenience. Best of luck with your driving experience!