In a major shift for the UAE's transportation sector, 17-year-olds will soon be eligible to apply for a driving license. The UAE Ministry of Transport confirmed that the new rule, announced in October 2024 as part of an updated Federal Decree Law on Traffic Regulations, will officially take effect on March 29, 2025. Previously, the minimum age for obtaining a driving license for cars and light vehicles was 18. Teenagers like twins Riya and Rohan Nihalani, who turned 17 in November, are eagerly awaiting the day they can start their driving journey, even turning it into a friendly competition to see who gets their license first. Others, like Aman Muhidin, see it as both a privilege and a responsibility, looking forward to helping their families with daily commutes.
However, while teenagers are excited, driving schools are still awaiting further instructions from the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on the implementation of the new rule. Fatima Raees, Director of Customer Experience and Marketing at Emirates Driving Institute, confirmed a surge in inquiries from both parents and teenagers regarding the eligibility criteria. The UAE is now the first country in the Gulf to lower the driving age, marking a significant step in youth mobility and independence.
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