Indian spends 4 years, Dh40,000 for a UAE driving licence...

Driving licences can be obtained by adult UAE citizens/residents after training from an authorised driving school in Dubai. If you are 18-21 year of age, you can apply for a probationary licence.

Criteria

If you have never driven before or have a driving licence that is not on the approved list of 36 countries then you must undergo training.

Documents required

Passport (original and copy) with residence stamp, No-Objection Certificate from employer and 8 photos.

An Indian strived for four long years to earn a driving licence in the UAE. He now dreams of making a movie of his attempts.

After spending almost Dh40,000 on 27 attempts and postponing his wedding, Namsheed Muringolihas at last got his driving licence on February 18, 2014.

The 28-year-old new driver says he changed several instructors in two emirates (Ajman and Sharjah) and even missed attending a family funeral in the process. 

“I came to the UAE about 10 years ago, after my music albums and cinema plans went awry. For six years I worked in Nizwa Cafeteria, Sharjah. And because of long work hours, I could not take up driving. Then, when I got a chance to be part of a new business in Ajman four years back, I decided to open a driving licence file. In fact,  Ibrahim Haji, a family friend, persuaded me to take up driving, so I could change my job and become a delivery staff and earn better,” says Muringolihas.