When I moved to Dubai, the first thing that came to my mind was independence. The country is super safe and that was something I was delighted about. However, apart from being able to party until late night, there is one more thing that make women feel empowered and liberated. Any guesses?
Yes, I’m referring to the freedom of driving. How many times have you had to cancel your night plans because its beyond the last metro time. Owning a driving license is such a boon and after driving around in India, it was now time to explore Dubai’s highways. That said, getting a license in the UAE is no easy feat. So much so that people literally throw parties once they get their license.
I applied for my driving license and the experience was very unlike what it is in India. Here’s my bitter-sweet experience of getting a driving license in the UAE.
Getting Started
If I have to be brutally honest, getting a license in the UAE is no walk in the park. The process is a tedious one and can at times be frustrating. However, I mustered the courage to go ahead and give this a shot. After enquiring and doing my research on the internet I started collecting a set of documents that were necessary to get enrolled in a driving school. Here’s what was needed:
1. Emirates ID
2. Passport & Visa Copy
3. Passport Size Photographs
4. NOC from sponsor
5. Eye Test Results
The set of documents remain the same for most schools across the Emirate. However, I must mention that you must be prepared to pay a hefty amount for the course. So, make sure you take help from your family/friends who already have a license and pick the cheaper option.
Crossing Hurdles
There are 11 hurdles you need to cross before you can legally drive in the UAE and trust me this is not as simple as it looks or sounds.
The first step is registering with the driving institute. Following this, you are required to attend 8 theory lessons online, or in the branch. The study material is given while you register. After preparation, you book a time and date and sit for the theory exam. This is an online, multiple choice test which you must clear to move ahead in the process. Exams have always been a nightmare since my college days and this one gave me cold feet too. I had to choose my answers within few minutes or the questions would disappear and would be considered negative. However, I managed to sail through it and passed the exam :)
The next step was preliminary test- a basic screening conducted for student who’ve had a valid driving license before, for more than 2 years. Having driven around in India, I fell under this category and fortunately cleared this too.
Driving In India Versus Driving In Dubai
With 10 years of driving experience behind my back, I was confident I would be able to crack this. But wait! My confidence and my love for driving came trickling down when my practical lessons started. I signed up for an 8 hour course, which required me to attend classes 4 days a week. And just as my classes started, here’s what I faced as an ‘Indian driver’:
1. I could not accustom to the left-hand side
2. I would honk at every thing on the road
3. Lane discipline was a new term
And with such issues, I give you all the freedom to imagine what my classes would have been like and even worse- what my instructor might have had to go through. This was quite a daunting experience for me. Once you get behind the steering it is an all new story. For someone who grew up amidst the chaos that was driving in India, I literally had to go through an unlearning process. Now, this is not to demean the transport system in India, but the truth is- UAE follows extremely rigid driving norms.
From confidently driving on the right side of the road to honking at my own will and wish, my classes were filled with moments that made me laugh and cringe at the same time. In fact, during my Road Assessment (a test that happens within the school’s campus), I drove all the way without wearing my seatbelt! Yes, you read that right. I was so happy I had followed all the road instructions, but when I finally finished the test and expected the examiner to praise me, all he said was- FAIL! I had to book for a re-test after two days. Now, this again is because back then in India, seatbelt was a mere accessory in cars and wearing it was not compulsory. Thankfully, the rules have changed for the better now.
All’s Well That End’s Well
However, I decided not to panic and take each test and day as it came. To my surprise, I passed my test in the first attempt. Here’s what I followed:
1. Check handbrake, mirrors & wear seatbelt before you start the car
2. Keep a safe distance
3. Don’t accelerate while on neutral
4. Drive where your examiner wants you to
5. Don’t take much time in making basic judgements
Lastly, nobody has to get it all right in the first attempt, so be easy on yourself!
How did you get your license in Dubai? Share in the comments below!