Motorists seeking to renew a UAE driving licence that has been expired for more than 10 years will be required to take theory and practical tests under new federal traffic regulations.

The regulations will take effect on January 1, 2027. They also allow learner driving permits to be issued for up to six months and renewed, compared with the previous federal regulations, which set their validity at three months with the option of renewal.

The changes are set out in Cabinet Resolution No. 174 of 2026, which contains the executive regulations for Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 on traffic regulation.

Retesting required for licences expired for more than 10 years

Article 76 of the regulations, which covers the reassessment and retraining of drivers, applies to people whose licences have been expired for more than 10 years without renewal.

Under the article, these drivers must take the theory and practical tests specified by the relevant licensing authority, in addition to meeting all other licence renewal requirements.

The requirement is based on the time elapsed since the licence expired, not the number of years since it was first issued.

The Federal Traffic Council may also determine the minimum theory and practical tests required to implement the article.

However, the article does not require holders of such licences to complete the full driving course for beginners, nor does it prescribe a specific number of mandatory training hours.

Requiring motorists with long-expired licences to undergo reassessment is not entirely new in Dubai. The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) already requires people whose licences have been expired for more than 10 years to take an assessment test.

However, the RTA's current guidelines refer to the process as an “assessment test” and do not specify whether it is equivalent to the theory and practical tests stipulated under the new federal regulations.

Learner driving permit validity extended

Under Article 82, anyone learning to drive must obtain a learner driving permit from the licensing authority.

The permit may be issued for up to six months and can be renewed.

The regulations specify only the maximum validity period. This does not mean that all permits must be issued for six months or that existing permits will automatically be extended to six months.

The same article also stipulates that driving instructors must hold the required licence and approval, and that only the learner and instructor may be present in the vehicle during practical training.

Learners will not be permitted to drive on roads in residential or densely populated areas until the instructor is satisfied that they can control the vehicle.

The new regulations will replace Ministerial Resolution No. 130 of 1997.

Under Article 109 of the previous regulations, learner driving permits were issued for three months and could be renewed. The new regulations extend the maximum validity period to six months while retaining the option of renewal.