Are you thinking of getting your driving licence in Dubai? Do you want to find the cheapest driving schools?
Then you are probably looking for a driving school that suits your needs because an online driving school is not the same as a classroom driving school. Nor is a driving school for motorbikes the same as one that specialises in teaching bus driving.
Believe it or not, each of them has its own speciality or is famous for something.
Knowing these details will make it easier for you to choose the one that best suits your needs. Knowing all this, you will surely be able to choose the most suitable driving school for you and get that driving licence you are looking forward to.
Therefore, we want to help you with our list of the best driving schools you can find in Dubai.
Top 5 Driving Schools in Dubai
1 Al Ahli Driving Centre
Al Ahli Driving Centre (ADC) celebrates 11 years of successful driver training and reduced risk on the roads of the UAE; it has been in operation since 2006 and is one of the most successful driving schools in Dubai. ADC offers driving courses for large vehicles in the different vehicle categories such as passenger cars, heavy passenger cars, light passenger cars, heavy trucks, articulated trucks, forklifts and motorcycles.
The institute started its development in a training centre in Al Qouz Industrial Zone IV in Dubai and has now grown to 18 branches and will continue its expansion in Dubai. Since then, thousands of new drivers have successfully completed driving lessons and courses at ADC and obtained their driving licences.
The cost of the courses offered:
- 20 hours of general training: AED 2 310
- 15 hours of general training: AED 1 732
- 10 hours of general training: AED 1 155
Required documents:
- Original land licence
- Original Emirates ID
- Declaration of no objection from sponsor/company
- Copy of eye examination report
It includes courses for light motor vehicles, motorcycles, heavy buses, heavy trucks, light/heavy forklifts, defensive driving and desert driving.
2. Belhasa driving school
Belhasa Driving Centre (BDC) was established in October 2001 when its Managing Director, Saif Ahmed Belhasa, proposed a new concept for a future driving school.
Today, the company has not only a huge fleet of +700 modern vehicles but also some of the most experienced and skilled employees in the field of professional drivers. Their driving courses offer basic and advanced driving experience, lectures/courses/practice courses for a variety of vehicles including light vehicles, trucks, buses, forklifts, motorcycles and many other vehicles.
Thousands of novice drivers have successfully completed driving school courses and other courses at BDC and obtained their driving licence.
Most of the courses meet international and Western standards. In 2007, the institute was awarded the “Dubai’s Most Recognised Driving Centre” and in 2011 the “Extensionist CEO” award. BDC collaborates with some of the best international driver education centres to provide students with the safest and most up-to-date driving skills.
The institute is certified by ISO and other national and international driving education agencies and associations.
Cost
- 20 hours of regular training: AED 5,345
- 15 hours of general training: AED 4,845
- 10 hours of general training: 4,245 AED
Documents required:
- Age must be 17 years and 6 months or more
- Original Emirates ID
- Copy of eye examination report
- Declaration of no objection from sponsor/company
- Copy of a valid passport
- 2 passport photos
- Valid visa for Dubai
They offer discounts on driving school fees. You can get up to 25% off practical lessons and up to 50% off lessons if you sign up with your college or school card.
3 Galadari Driving Centre
Galadari Car Driving Centre was founded in 2004 by one of the UAE’s most prominent entrepreneurs, Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari, to lead the growth story of other profitable businesses. GMDC has been one of the most reliable and successful companies in recent years and has a passion for excellence. GMDC has grown from a very low base to a force to be reckoned with in the driver training industry.
GMDC has been praised by UAE heads of state for its new vision of growth, sustainability and a central role in the global economy. Dubai has been officially selected to host the World Expo in 2020, proving that the race for success never stops and GMDC knows the role it must play in benchmarking its services to keep pace with the world.
GMDC is a certified driving centre that trains over 500 qualified driving instructors for a wide range of novice drivers. GMDC operates within the framework of the Ministry of Roads and Traffic and strives to comply with all necessary regulations. The institute offers theoretical knowledge and practical training as well as the final assessment and certification of driving licences by the Road Directorate.
The aim has always been to instil confidence in safe driving among learner drivers. The institute trains students to reach the highest level of competence and provides them with the right skills. The training facilities have well-trained instructors, modern facilities and a great team. In addition, the institute offers a flexible schedule, a convenient pick-up service for students and excellent instructors who cater to different nationalities.
Cost:
- 15 hours of general training: AED 1,350
- 8 hours of general training: 750 AED
Documents required:
- 2 passport-size photos Original Emirates ID
- Declaration of no objection from sponsor/company
- Copy of eye examination report
- Copy of a valid passport
This includes courses such as car driving licence, motorcycle driving licence, heavy goods vehicle driving licence, light bus driving licence, forklift driving licence, heavy forklift driving licence and shovel driving licence.
4. Emirates Driving Institute
Emirates Driving Institute is one of the largest driving schools in Dubai. It is part of the famous Belhasa Group. EDI uses its fleet of more than 500 vehicles to offer driving courses, including light vehicles (limousines), heavy buses, light coaches, heavy trucks, forklifts and motorcycles.
Since its inception, more than 500,000 learner drivers have obtained a driving licence from the Emirates Driving Institute. The institute has more than 500 qualified driving instructors of different nationalities who teach learner drivers in their native language to facilitate learning.
The driving school complies with international standards and the driving school method is continuously adapted to the latest driving techniques. EDI’s international partners, the UK Institute of Automotive Industry (IMI), the International Drivers Education Association and the UK Advanced Drivers College (IAM), play an important role in continuously updating and adapting driving and test instruction to the latest techniques.
EDI’s driving school methodology is accredited by the UK A.A. Driving School. It has recently received a certificate of membership from the A.A. Driving School. Emirates Driving School has trained its driving instructors and technical trainers according to the curriculum administered by the British Automobile Association Development Corporation.
Cost:
- 20 hours of regular training: AED 5,085
- 15 hours of regular training: AED 5,225
- 10 hours of general training: AED 4,745
Required documents:
- The eye test must be performed at an RTA-approved optical centre in Dubai.
- Original Emirates ID
- Declaration of no objection from sponsor/company
There’s a special discount for Esa’d cardholders and you can get up to AED 5,000 off if you sign up for the Platinum driving course. It includes courses such as car driving, defensive driving, desert diving, gold driving, motorcycle, platinum driving, company training, heavy trucks, heavy buses, light buses, forklift, heavy forklift and bucket, determination and refresher courses for drivers.
5. Dubai Driving Centre
Dubai Driving Centre was established in 2003 by local entrepreneurs on behalf of the Road and Transport Authority (RTA). Since then, the institute has worked closely with the government to provide Dubai residents with the highest standards of international driving.
At DDC, the safety and satisfaction of our customers and employees is our top priority. They have implemented management systems such as ISO9001 to manage the quality of the services we provide and ISO14001, ISO 50001, ISO 39001 and OHSAS18001 to ensure customer health and safety and reduce environmental impact.
Cost:
- 20 hours of general training: AED 4,060
- 15 hours of general training: AED 3,460
- 10 hours of general training: AED 2,860
Documents required:
- 18 years or older
- Valid visa for Dubai
- Copy of a valid passport
- 2 passport photos
- Declaration of no objection from sponsor/company
- Original Emirates ID
- Copy of eye examination report
They offer an exclusive discount to UAE Society of Engineers and their family members.
5 tips to choose the right driving school in Dubai
Take your time
Competition in the world of driving schools is fierce. In fact, even if you live in a small town, there is likely to be more than one driving school near you.
However, don’t settle for just looking at the ones closest to you. Ask around to get a clear idea of what each of them has to offer. Don’t rush and take your time.
Look for a timetable that suits you and not the other way around.
Some driving schools have very attractive offers. But you need to make adjustments to go when the school says so, which is often not practical. Instead, look for a place where they are the ones who adapt to your free time. This way you can make better use of your time and set the pace yourself. Remember that once you have your licence, it is vital that you know the rules of the road very well, for your safety and the safety of others.
If they don’t give you flexible options for going to class, find somewhere else where they do. It’s about your schedule and your convenience, not the other way around.
Look at the pass rate
This is a very important detail because it is a sign of the quality of the school. The more students who get their licence on the first try, the more likely you are to be one of them, as it is clear that the methods are the most effective.
Normally, the driving school itself will provide you with this information, especially if the number is very high. However, you can also make an online enquiry. However, remember that 100% is not possible, because some students will fail and will need to retake the test. So don’t look for this percentage, but for the one that is closest to it.
Online support platform
With the new technologies, today more than ever you have to look for the possibility to study at home and get in contact with the centre from the Internet. Ask the driving school about their website and what online services they offer if you enrol. Choose a school that has resources such as videos to help you remember subjects and mock tests to test your knowledge. This way you will know how you are progressing and if for some reason you can’t make it to class one day, you won’t have to give up your training.
Possibility of intensive learning
If you are in a hurry to get your licence, it is now possible to find intensive courses for the theoretical part. With these courses you can prepare for the theory exam in less time and start practical classes as soon as possible, which is often what we like the most.
These 5 tips will help you to choose the best driving school to get your driving licence.