Key takeaways
- Dubai driving licence renewal costs AED 300 for drivers 21+ and AED 100 for under-21s in 2026.
- You can renew online up to 90 days before expiry via RTA or TAMM.
- A 30-day grace period applies after expiry, followed by a AED 10/day fine capped at AED 300.
- Required documents include Emirates ID, eye-test certificate, and proof of residence for expats.
Quick answer: Dubai driving licence renewal as of October 2026 costs AED 300 for drivers 21+ (AED 100 for under-21) plus a AED 20 Knowledge & Innovation surcharge, AED 20 eye-test fee (or AED 30 for the optional mobile eye-test), and a AED 35 delivery fee. Renewals can be done online via the RTA e-services portal or TAMM up to 90 days before expiry, and a 30-day grace period applies before a fine of AED 10 per day kicks in.
What are the Dubai driving licence renewal fees in 2026?
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) published the 2026 fee schedule on its official portal rta.ae. The key components are:
- Standard renewal fee (21 +): AED 300
- Reduced fee (under 21): AED 100
- Knowledge & Innovation surcharge: AED 20 (applies to every renewal)
- Eye-test fee: AED 20 for a standard test at any RTA-approved vision centre
- Optional mobile eye-test service: additional AED 30
- Delivery fee for the physical licence card: AED 35
- Medical test (only for drivers > 65 or with a medical condition): AED 100
- Re-test fee (licence expired >10 years): AED 500

Can I renew my Dubai driving licence online?
Yes. The RTA e-services portal and the UAE-wide TAMM platform both support full-digital renewal. The steps are:
- Log in to service.rta.ae using your Emirates ID or UAE Pass.
- Select “Driving Licence → Renewal”.
- Upload the required documents (see the checklist below).
- Pay the total amount with a credit/debit card or UAE-Pay.
- Receive a confirmation email with a tracking number.
After payment the system generates a QR code that can be scanned at any Dubai Driving Licence Renewal Machine for card collection, or you can opt for home delivery (AED 35).
How many days before expiry can I renew my Dubai driving licence?
The renewal window opened in 2026 to 90 days before the licence expiry date. Attempting to start the process earlier will result in a system message stating “Renewal not yet allowed”.
- Check the expiry date in the Emirates ID app – it shows the licence validity under the “My Documents” section.
- Set a calendar reminder for the first day of the 90-day window.
- If you miss the window, you can still renew during the 30-day grace period (see next section) but a fine will apply.
Is there a grace period for renewing a Dubai driving licence after it expires?
Dubai Police Traffic Department grants a 30-day grace period after the licence expiry date. During this period you can still renew without a fine, but once the 30 days elapse a penalty of AED 10 per day is charged, capped at AED 300.
To pay the fine:
- Log in to the RTA portal, go to “Fines → Pay”.
- Select the licence-related fine and complete the payment.
Note that a fine can affect your insurance renewal and may appear on a traffic record check.
Where are the Dubai driving licence renewal machines located?
Self-service kiosks, known as Dubai Driving Licence Renewal Machines, are stationed at major RTA service centres. The most frequented locations are:
| Location | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| Al Qusais Service Centre | 07:00 – 22:00 |
| Al Barsha Service Centre | 07:00 – 22:00 |
| Deira Service Centre | 07:00 – 22:00 |
| Jumeirah Service Centre | 07:00 – 22:00 |
| Dubai International Airport (Terminal 1) | 24 hours |
All machines accept Emirates ID, a QR code from the online payment receipt, and cash/card for the delivery fee. If you prefer a completely digital route, continue using the RTA portal or TAMM app.
How much does the eye test cost for Dubai driving licence renewal?
Standard eye-test fee: AED 20 at any RTA-approved vision centre. The optional mobile eye-test service, introduced in 2026, adds AED 30 and is booked through the RTA app.
Drivers over 65 or those with documented vision problems must submit a medical eye-test certificate, which is also AED 20.
After the test, the centre issues a digital PDF that you upload in the “Eye-test Certificate” field of the renewal form.
What documents are required to renew a Dubai driving licence?
Prepare the following before you start the online process:
- Valid Emirates ID (front and back copy).
- Passport copy (required for visitor licences only).
- Recent passport-size photo (white background, digital upload).
- Eye-test certificate (PDF).
- Medical test certificate (only if you are >65 or have a declared health condition).
- Proof of residence (e.g., tenancy contract or utility bill) for resident renewals.
If any document is missing, the system will reject the application and prompt you to upload the missing file.
How can I check the status of my Dubai driving licence renewal?
The RTA portal offers a “Licence Status” checker. After payment you will receive a reference number; enter it on the status page to see one of the following states:
- Pending: Application received, awaiting verification.
- Processing: Documents verified, card being printed.
- Ready for Pickup: Card is at the selected kiosk or will be delivered.
Additional options:
- SMS/WhatsApp notification – toggle on the “Alerts” tab.
- TAMM app – residents of Abu Dhabi can view the status under “My Services → Driving Licence”.
- Call the RTA call centre (04 222 2222) or Dubai Police Traffic Department helpline (04 222 2222) for live assistance.
Common issues and how to resolve them
Document rejection: The portal will highlight the missing or unreadable file. Re-upload a clear PDF or JPG, and double-check that the file size is under 2 MB.
Payment failure: Ensure your card is enabled for online transactions and that you have sufficient balance. If the problem persists, try UAE-Pay or a different card.
QR code not scanning: Refresh the receipt email, or download the QR from the “My Payments” section. Some older Android devices may need a third-party QR scanner.
Grace-period fine not reflected: Fines are posted within 24 hours. If you still see a zero balance after 48 hours, contact the RTA call centre.
Renewal for expatriates vs. UAE nationals
Both groups follow the same fee structure, but expatriates must provide a valid residency visa copy and a recent tenancy contract, whereas UAE nationals can use their Emirates ID alone. Expatriates whose visa is about to expire should renew the visa first, as the licence renewal will be blocked until the visa is active.
Fee comparison table
| Item | Fee (AED) | Applicable To |
|---|---|---|
| Standard renewal (21 +) | 300 | Residents & visitors |
| Reduced renewal (<21) | 100 | Residents & visitors |
| Knowledge & Innovation surcharge | 20 | All renewals |
| Eye-test (standard) | 20 | All drivers |
| Mobile eye-test service | 30 | Optional |
| Delivery fee (card) | 35 | All drivers |
| Medical test | 100 | Drivers > 65 or with medical condition |
| Re-test (expired >10 years) | 500 | All drivers |
| Grace period fine (after 30 days) | 10 per day (max 300) | Late renewals |
Example total cost for a resident driver aged 30 with a standard eye-test and home delivery:
AED 300 + AED 20 + AED 20 + AED 35 = AED 375
Key takeaways
- Renew online up to 90 days before expiry for AED 300 (21 +) or AED 100 (<21) plus a AED 20 Knowledge surcharge.
- Eye-test costs AED 20; mobile service adds AED 30.
- Delivery of the new card is AED 35; medical test only for drivers > 65 or with health issues.
- 30-day grace period after expiry, then AED 10 / day fine (capped at AED 300).
- Self-service kiosks are available at Al Qusais, Al Barsha, Deira, Jumeirah and Dubai Airport.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Dubai driving licence renewal in 2026?
The standard renewal fee is AED 300 for drivers aged 21 and above, and AED 100 for those under 21. Additional costs include a AED 20 Knowledge & Innovation surcharge, AED 20 for the eye test, and AED 35 for delivery.
How early can I renew my Dubai driving licence?
You can start the renewal process up to 90 days before your licence expiry date via the RTA e-services portal or TAMM app.
Is there a fine for late Dubai driving licence renewal?
Yes. There is a 30-day grace period after expiry. After that, a fine of AED 10 per day applies, capped at AED 300.
Can I renew my Dubai driving licence online?
Yes, you can complete the entire renewal process online through the RTA e-services portal or the TAMM platform, including document upload and payment.
Photos: Robert Bock / Wikimedia Commons, CC0; Tonenight / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
