Now, citizens of 40 countries can directly apply driving licence in the UAE

Dubai: The United Arab Emirates is reintroducing the ‘Golden Chance’ scheme under which citizens of 40 countries holding driving licences in their lands can directly apply for the driving test in the UAE.

The authorities are restarting the service which they had earlier stopped after experiencing technical difficulties.

If one fails the test, they could take the licence only through the usual procedure by attending training classes.

Many foreign citizens residing in the UAE, including non-resident Keralites, obtained their driving licences through the scheme started by the Dubai Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) in April. One needs to pay 2150 dirhams to apply under the scheme. They will be spared from attending driving classes.

Procedures through website
The applicants need to furnish their personal details after logging on to the RTA website and clicking the link ‘Golden Chance Option’. They have to first provide Emirates Id No, period, and Mobile Number. They will then receive an OTP on their mobile phones.

They can complete the procedures by entering the OTP number.

The applicants need to recheck the correctness of the details given. Then they have to enter details of their licences back home, the date of issuance, period, and category (like Light Motor Vehicle), etc.

They will then be allotted a driving test date. They have to appear on the allotted time and need to pass the driving test to obtain the licence in the UAE. The unsuccessful ones can join the usual training classes.

They have to appear for an eye test and knowledge test before taking the driving test again. Upon passing the driving test, they will be issued the licence for a period of two years. They can renew the same for another five years upon expiry of the validity period.