Remember how we told you about the shortening of a UAE driver’s licence validity? Well that change is happening this week… 

A new law has halved the shelf life of UAE licenses for expats, and we now know that it will take effect from July 1.

The change, which will start from this Saturday, means that expatriates will now need to renew their driving licence every five years, as opposed to the 10 year renewal period that was previously in place.

So yes, if you need to renew, why not try and do it this week?

Emiratis are exempt from the changes and will only need to renew their driving licence once every 10 years.

Meanwhile, the validity of a licence for those under 21 – whether from the UAE or abroad – is just one year.

The change from 10 to five years amends a law from 1995, and the update was issued by His Highness Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior.

The cost of renewal is currently set at Dhs110, meaning that drivers will have to pay this fee twice in the span of a decade if it remains the same – essentially doubling the cost.

Note: If you have a licence that’s valid for the next nine years, don’t worry, the five year rule will only come into effect next time you have to renew. 

The new law also states that motorists will need a licence and permit if they wish to drive either a motorbike, electric scooter, tricycle or quad bike.

The law highlights that electric scooters and quad bikes are for entertainment purposes, and are allowed to be driven only in the desert, provided the driver has the correct licence.

For more information on how to renew your driving licence check out this handy guide from the RTA.

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