Changes Will See New Driving Licences Last Only Two Years

A new law is in place that will affect anybody getting their first UAE driver's licence, and those that are coming up for renewal. 

Starting from July 1st, it has been reported that new drivers of all ages will only get a two-year driving licence, as opposed to the normal 10 years many of us already have. 

The changes follow new traffic rules that have been issued by Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. 

Amending the original traffic law established in 1995, the changes will also ensure any new licences issued after July will need to be renewed after just 5 years for expatriates, and after 10 years for Emiratis and citizens of the UAE. 

These new rules will not affect existing licences. 

Why has it been cut short? 

In their best efforts to increase road safety for all residents and tourists in the country, the new law aims to prevent anyone with a chronic disease from driving, which may endanger the lives of road users.

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Traffic licensing authorities will work together with health authorities to ensure that patients with certain ailments that may affect their ability to drive will not be issued driving licences. 

The concerned diseases that may prevent an individual from gaining or renewing their licence includes things like epilepsy, and even sudden acute bouts of diabetes, Gulf News reported. 

Now, medical facilities will also be linked to traffic departments across the country, which will mean that a motorist's health and medical reports will be monitored.

What other changes have been made? 

The new rules will also see speed limits in residential areas reduced to 40 km/h, and warns drivers against making noise or endangering the lives of people near schools and hospitals. 

Anyone wishing to drive a motorbike or quad bike will now need to be registered and licenced properly, with quad bikes only being allowed to drive in desert and sand areas. 

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Children aged 10 or more are now able to legally sit in the front seat, and wearing a seatbelt is now compulsory for ALL passengers in a car. This will be enforced from July 1st also, with drivers facing a 400 Dhs fine and 4 black points if they fail to ensure their passengers are buckled up.