Age limit for driving licence could be reduced

Dubai: The UAE Federal Traffic Council is considering lowering the driving age to 16 or 17, a top police official said.

Major General Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Assistant to the Dubai Police Chief for Operations’ Affairs and Chairman of the Federal Traffic Council, said on Sunday the fact that, according to police statistics, drivers aged between 18 and 21 are less likely to cause accidents has made the police consider reducing the minimum driving age.

He said motorcycle licences are given at 17.

He added during the committee meeting on Sunday that riding motorcycles is more dangerous than driving cars.