Ready to get your motorcycle licence in Dubai? Then you’ve come to the right place! In this guide, we will be breaking down the process so that you’ll be zooming and zipping through Dubai’s streets in no time.
1. Who is Eligible to Get a Motorcycle Licence?
According to the RTA, you need to meet the following requirements to apply for a motorcycle licence in Dubai:
- Be at least 17 of age
- You have to either be an Emirati national or have a valid residence visa
- You need an eye test from an RTA (Road and Transport Authority ), and DHA (Dubai Health Authority) approved and licenced eye testing centre
- If you have any other category licence, you need to clear any fines you have before you register.
2. How Can You Get a Motorcycle Licence in Dubai?
The process of getting your motorcycle licence in Dubai can be summarised in the following 9 steps:
- Register with a driving school and open an RTA file
- Take an eye test
- Attend theory lectures
- Take the RTA theory test
- Attend practical yard training
- Take the RTA yard test
- Attend road training
- Take the final RTA road test
- Pick up your UAE driving licence.
Start your Dubai driving adventure today! Click to know how to get your car licence quickly and easily
3. What Are the Documents Required to Get the License?
Note that the specific documents required may differ between driving institutes, so be sure to check with your chosen institute. Also, these requirements are listed by the official portal of the UAE’s Government via their Getting a Driving License section. Generally speaking, to register at a driving school, you will need the following documents:
- A copy of your valid passport
- A copy of your valid Dubai residence visa
- Your Emirates ID card and a photocopy of both sides of the card
- 2 passport-size pictures
- A copy of your eye test report
- No Objection Letter (NOC) from your sponsor. If you’re sponsored by an individual, you will need a copy of their passport and visa.
- If you hold a UAE passport and you are less than 21 years old, you need a No Objection letter from your sponsor.
- Original motorcycle driving licence issued from another country and a copy:
- The hologram must be visible on the licence
- Valid and expired licences are accepted as long as it is expired for less than 10 years
- If it was not issued in English or Arabic, you must have your licence officially translated by a legal translation typing agency in Dubai
4. How Many Hours of Training Will You Need?
If you’ve never had a motorcycle licence in any other country before, you are considered a beginner. Accordingly, you will have to take 20 hours of training to get your motorcycle licence.
However, if you have a 2-year-old motorcycle licence from a non-exception country, you’ll only need to take 10 hours of training to issue your licence.
Want to learn about other ways of getting around in Dubai? Read our guide on public transport in Dubai.
5. Can I Swap My Licence from Another Country for a Dubai Motorbike Licence?
If you have a motorcycle licence from one of the RTA exception countries, you can directly transfer your licence at any RTA office without having to take any training lessons. You will only need to pay the fees and bring along the required documents.
Here’s a list of the RTA exception countries:
| Albania | Hungary | Qatar |
| Australia | Iceland | Romania |
| Austria | Ireland | Saudi Arabia |
| Bahrain | Italy | Serbia |
| Belgium | Japan | Singapore |
| Britain | Kuwait | South Africa |
| Bulgaria | Latvia | South Korea |
| Cyprus | Lithuania | Spain |
| Denmark | Netherlands | Sweden |
| Estonia | New Zealand | Switzerland |
| Finland | Norway | Turkey |
| France | Oman | Ukraine |
| Germany | Poland | United States of America |
| Hong Kong | Portugal |
6. How Much Does a Motorcycle Licence in Dubai Cost?
The average cost to get a motorbike license in Dubai, including RTA fees, is approximately AED 4,000 for beginners. However, if you have an existing motorcycle license from another country, this can potentially reduce the required training hours you need and thus cut back on the overall cost.
Cost of Motorcycle licence in Dubai:
- Complete Beginner: AED 4,000
- Singapore nationals with a valid driving licence issued from Singapore: AED 1,326
- Service fees to swap motorcycle licences from exemption countries: AED 870
- Holders of motorcycle licences from non-exemption countries: AED 3,300 – 3520
| Cost of Motorcycle Licence | |
| Beginner | ~AED 4000 |
| Singapore nationals with a valid driving licence issued from Singapore | ~AED 1,326 |
| Service fees to swap motorcycle licences from exemption countries: | ~AED 870 |
| Holders of motorcycle licences from non-exemption countries | ~AED 3,300 – 3520 |
7. Driving Institutes that Offer Motorcycle Training Courses
There are plenty of driving centres across Dubai that offer Motorcycle training courses, and we’ve highlighted just a few below.
Most of these institutes have several branches across the city, so you can choose one that is either close to your home or work. That way, attending your training course won’t be a hassle.
| Driving School | Contact Details | Price (AED) |
| Galadari Motor Driving Center | Phone: +971 (0)60 059 5956 Email: info@gmdc.ae | ~90 – 110 /hour |
| Emirates Driving Institute | Phone: +971 (0)4 263 1100 Email: info@edi.ae | ~133 – 282 /hour |
| Excellence Driving | Phone: +971 (0)60 051 5154 Email: info@e-dc.com | ~AED 50/ class |
| Drive Dubai | Phone: +971(0)4 885 5118 Whatsapp: +971 (0)56 511 2197 Email: info@drivedubai.ae | ~134 – 217 /hour |
Key Takeaways
- You can start training at 17 years and 6 months, and receive the licence at 18.
- A motorcycle licence (Category 1) is required; a car licence is not enough.
- Beginners need 20 training hours; experienced riders may need 10 hours only.
- Licences from RTA exemption countries can be transferred without training.
- The total cost usually ranges between AED 3,000 and AED 4,800.
- Licences are now issued digitally via the RTA Dubai app.
FAQs
No, you must obtain a motorcycle licence (Category 1) even if you hold a car licence.
It varies based on training availability and exam passing; typically 1–3 months if all tests are passed on first attempts.
To get a bike license in the UAE, you must attend a 10 hours of mandatory lessons.
This is applicable if your bike license from your home country is attested by the embassy or consulate, especially if it’s in handwritten or book format.
Note that the license will only be issued once you reach the age of 18, although you can start your training at 17 years and 6 months.
Category 1 is the official UAE licence category for two-wheeler motorcycles.
For complete beginners, the cost of a full motorcycle licence in Dubai is around AED 4,000, including training and RTA fees.
Now that you’ve got all the necessary info, you’ll be whizzing through Dubai’s streets like a pro in no time! If you don’t already have a motorbike and want to buy one, check out our guide for buying a vehicle in Dubai.
