Expired UAE Licences Over 10 Years Face Retesting from 2027
Motorists renewing a UAE driving licence that has been expired for more than 10 years must pass theoretical and practical tests starting January 1, 2027, under Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026.
The decision sets out the executive regulations for Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 regarding nationwide traffic regulation. Under Article 76, the retesting requirement applies directly to drivers whose licences have been expired for over a decade. The clock measures time from the exact date of licence expiry, not from the date the licence was originally issued.
The Federal Traffic Council may establish the baseline theoretical and practical testing standards for these long-expired renewals. The rule stops short of forcing drivers to start over as complete novices; it does not mandate a full beginner driving course or require a set number of mandatory training hours before taking the tests.
In Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) currently requires drivers to sit an evaluation test when renewing a licence expired past the 10-year mark. The upcoming federal framework formally establishes theoretical and practical testing standards across all emirates.
The new decree also updates rules for new drivers under Article 82. Learner driving permits can now be issued for up to six months, renewable, replacing the former three-month maximum cap established under Ministerial Resolution No. 130 of 1997.
These updated learner permit rules set specific operational conditions on public roads:
- Only the student driver and the authorised driving instructor are permitted inside the training vehicle during driving instruction.
- Driving instructors must hold valid permits and authorisations issued by the licensing authority.
- Learners cannot drive on public roads in populated areas until their instructor confirms they have sufficient vehicle control.
