Dubai Driving License Renewal 2026: Fees and Requirements
A practical 2026 guide to Dubai driving licence renewal costs, eye-test rules, online steps, delivery fees and expiry requirements.
Renewing a licence in Dubai is now largely digital, but the cost is more than the headline AED 300 fee. For most adult residents, Dubai driving license renewal means having a valid eye test, clearing applicable fines, and paying RTA charges before the new digital licence is issued.
Before you renew, it helps to know the documents you need, what you are likely to pay, and whether an expired licence changes the process.
Dubai Driving License Renewal 2026: What You Need
For a standard Dubai-issued licence, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) lists these main requirements:
- Valid Emirates ID
- Valid eye-test result
- Payment of applicable fines and renewal fees
- Medical fitness test if you are a professional driver
Renewed licences are valid for 10 years for UAE and GCC citizens aged 21 or above, five years for residents aged 21 or above, and one year for applicants younger than 21. The UAE Government portal also confirms the five-year validity for expatriate residents aged over 21.
Drivers aged 21 or above can renew up to six months before expiry. Those under 21 can apply up to three months early.
Dubai Driving License Renewal Fees 2026
For most motorists, the total cost matters more than the AED 300 licence fee alone.
| Cost | Age 21 and Above | Under 21 |
|---|---|---|
| Licence renewal | AED 300 | AED 100 |
| Knowledge and Innovation fee | AED 20 | AED 20 |
| Electronic eye test | AED 140–180 | AED 140–180 |
| Typical total with a fresh eye test | AED 460–500 | AED 260–300 |
RTA currently lists AED 300 for applicants aged 21 or above, AED 100 for younger applicants, AED 20 in Knowledge and Innovation fees, and AED 140–180 for an electronic eye test.
If you need a fresh eye test, the calculated adult total is AED 460–500. This is not an official RTA package price; a driver with a valid eye-test result already in the system may pay less. Delivery, outstanding fines, and medical testing where required are additional.
RTA states that an eye-test result is valid for three years. In August 2026, the authority also reported that Dubai had 434 approved eye-test centres after adding 100 during the first half of the year, a 30% increase.
Physical Licence Delivery Fees
If you want a physical card, current RTA delivery charges are:
- Standard: AED 20
- Same day: AED 35
- Within two hours: AED 50
- International: AED 50
You can also receive a digital licence through the RTA Dubai app and add it to Apple or Samsung Wallet, where supported.
How to Renew Driving License in Dubai Online
If your traffic file has no complications, you can renew online in a few steps:
- Complete an approved eye test if you do not already have a valid result.
- Access the RTA service and log in using an available identification method, including UAE Pass.
- Select Renewing a Driving Licence.
- Confirm the licence information shown.
- Pay the required fines and renewal fees.
- Select digital issuance, a self-service machine, or delivery.
- Receive the digital licence through the RTA Dubai app.
RTA lists the service time as instant for its main digital channels once the requirements and payment are complete. Renewal is also offered through the RTA Dubai app, DubaiNow and Mahboub.
What If Your Dubai Driving Licence Has Expired?
RTA charges a renewal-delay fine of AED 10 per month from the expiry date, capped at AED 500.
Do not interpret that monthly calculation as a driving “grace period.” It explains how the renewal-delay charge is calculated; motorists should renew before expiry rather than assume an expired licence remains usable.
If the licence expired more than 10 years ago, RTA requires an Evaluation Test. Its current fee schedule lists AED 200 for the training file, AED 100 for the learning application, AED 50 for the handbook and AED 200 for the Evaluation Test. A AED 500 renewal-delay fine, AED 300 licence fee, AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation fee, and the applicable eye-test charge also apply.
Special Renewal Cases
Dubai Licence With Another Emirate’s Residence Visa
RTA says a Dubai-issued licence can still be renewed online if your residence visa is from another emirate, provided the details in your traffic file have been updated.
Licence Issued in Another Emirate
A licence issued by another emirate cannot be renewed through Dubai RTA. The issuing emirate’s licensing authority should be used instead.
Visit Visa or Professional Driver
An expired Dubai licence cannot be renewed while the holder is on a visit visa because a valid Emirates ID is required. Professional drivers also need the required medical fitness assessment from an RTA-accredited hospital.
For more information on traffic rules, fines and black-point regulations, see ArabWheels’ UAE road regulations section.
Final Verdict
For a typical resident aged 21 or above who needs a fresh eye test, budget AED 460–500 for the licence, Knowledge and Innovation fee, and eye test, before delivery or outstanding fines. Complete the eye test first, check your fines, then use an RTA digital channel if your record is straightforward.
Watch for three common problems: outdated fee information, treating an expired licence as if it has a grace period, and trying to renew a licence issued by another emirate through RTA Dubai. Before paying, check your traffic file and outstanding fines in RTA so you can clear any blocks first.
Explore more UAE driving guides on ArabWheels.
Dubai Driving License Renewal FAQs
For applicants aged 21 or above, the licence fee is AED 300 plus AED 20 in Knowledge and Innovation fees. If you need a fresh AED 140–180 eye test, the typical total is AED 460–500 before delivery, fines or medical-test costs.
RTA lists its main online renewal channels as instant once the necessary requirements and payments are complete. Physical delivery depends on the option selected.
Yes. Drivers aged 21 or above may renew up to six months before expiry; applicants under 21 may renew up to three months early.
You need a valid eye-test result in the RTA system. RTA currently states that an eye test result remains valid for three years.
RTA requires applicable fines on the driving licence to be paid before renewal. If RTA shows a fine as unpayable, contact the authority that issued it before trying the renewal again.
For more UAE motoring guides, see ArabWheels Blogs. Before renewing, check the live RTA service page for any changes to fees or requirements.
