 Driving licence holders across the UAE will face new rules from January 1, 2027, under which authorities can suspend, cancel or refuse to renew a driving licence in 12 specified circumstances.
These include medical unfitness, accumulated traffic black points, court orders and unpaid traffic fines.
The new regulations also introduce closer coordination between health authorities and driving licence departments to identify medical conditions that could affect a person’s ability to drive safely.
Introduced under Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026, which implements Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 on the Regulation of Traffic, the rules establish specific conditions for issuing, suspending, cancelling and renewing driving licences and permits across the country.
For motorists, understanding these changes is important to avoid problems with licence renewal and ensure they continue to meet the UAE’s driving requirements.
Here is a complete guide to the new UAE driving licence rules, including the 12 reasons a licence could be affected, renewal deadlines, eye test requirements and rules for licences that have been expired for more than 10 years.
12 reasons your UAE driving licence could be affected
Under the new regulations, licensing authorities can take three types of action against a driving licence or permit:
- Suspension: Temporarily stopping the validity of a licence.
- Cancellation: Cancelling the licence or permit.
- Refusal of renewal: Declining an application to renew an existing licence.
Each measure has specific conditions.
1. Three reasons a UAE driving licence can be suspended
Licensing authorities may suspend a driving licence or permit in the following three situations:
- Court order: A competent court issues a ruling directing the suspension of the driving licence or permit.
- Accumulated black points: The driver reaches the prescribed cumulative limit of traffic black points.
- Medical or legal incapacity: The driver is found to lack the legal capacity or medical fitness required to operate a vehicle safely.
A suspension means the licence cannot be used during the period in which the suspension remains in force.
2. Five reasons a UAE driving licence can be cancelled
The new UAE traffic regulations identify five circumstances in which a driving licence or permit may be cancelled:
- Court ruling: A court orders the cancellation of the licence or permit.
- Traffic black points: The driver reaches the cumulative black-point limit.
- Request by the holder: The licence holder voluntarily applies to have the licence or permit cancelled.
- Death of the holder: The licence or permit is cancelled following the holder’s death.
- Medical or legal incapacity: The holder is found to lack the legal capacity or medical fitness required to drive.
These provisions allow authorities to cancel licences for both legal and medical reasons, as well as following a request from the licence holder.
3. Four reasons UAE authorities can refuse driving licence renewal
Even if a driving licence has not been suspended or cancelled, motorists may still face difficulties renewing it.
Under the new regulations, licensing authorities can refuse a renewal application in four circumstances:
- Medical unfitness: The driver does not meet the required medical fitness or legal capacity standards.
- Court order: A court issues a ruling directing authorities to refuse the renewal.
- Unpaid traffic violations: Outstanding traffic fines or violations remain registered against the driver’s traffic file.
- Accumulated black points: The driver reaches the prescribed cumulative limit of traffic black points.
This means motorists should regularly check their traffic records and settle outstanding fines before applying for driving licence renewal.
UAE to link medical records with driving licence authorities
One of the important changes under the new traffic regulations concerns medical fitness and road safety.
Competent health authorities across the UAE will be required to coordinate with driving licence authorities and provide information about individuals diagnosed with illnesses or medical conditions that could affect their ability to drive safely.
The provision aims to help licensing authorities identify drivers whose medical conditions may make operating a vehicle unsafe.
If a driver is found to lack the medical fitness required for driving, the licensing authority may suspend or cancel the licence or refuse its renewal, depending on the applicable circumstances.
Driving licence expired for more than 10 years?
Motorists who have allowed their UAE driving licences to remain expired for more than 10 years will face additional requirements before they can renew them.
Under Article 76 of Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026, drivers applying for renewal after more than 10 years have passed since their licence expired, without renewal during that period, must undergo:
- A theory driving test.
- A practical driving test.
The tests will be determined by the relevant licensing authority. Applicants must also fulfil the other conditions and procedures required for driving licence renewal.
The Federal Traffic Council is authorised to determine the minimum theory and practical examination requirements for implementing this provision.
The rule is intended to reassess drivers who have been away from the road for an extended period and ensure they have the necessary knowledge and practical driving skills.
UAE driving licence renewal: Apply within 30 days of expiry
Article 73 of the new regulations sets out the requirements and timeline for renewing a UAE driving licence.
Motorists must submit their driving licence renewal applications within 30 days of the licence expiry date.
Renewal is subject to:
- Payment of the prescribed renewal fees.
- Completion of the procedures approved by the licensing authority.
- Settlement of outstanding traffic fines, where applicable.
Drivers must clear fines resulting from traffic violations recorded against them. Where a court has imposed fines for breaches of the federal traffic law, its implementing regulations or related decisions, applicants must provide proof of payment where required.
Motorists should therefore check their traffic files and settle any outstanding amounts before starting the renewal process to avoid delays or rejection.
UAE driving licence eye test requirements
Medical fitness is an essential condition for obtaining and renewing a UAE driving licence. Article 62 of the new regulations sets out visual acuity requirements for different driving licence categories.
The minimum eyesight standards vary depending on the type of vehicle the applicant is authorised to drive.
Eye test requirements for light vehicle drivers
For light vehicle driving licences, the minimum visual acuity requirement starts at 6/18 in each eye separately.
The regulations also address cases involving differences in vision between the two eyes and situations where a person has lost sight in one eye.
For drivers with sight in only one eye, the functioning eye must have visual acuity of at least 6/6.
Eye test requirements for bus and heavy equipment drivers
Drivers applying for licences to operate buses, heavy equipment and light equipment must meet a higher eyesight standard.
The regulations require these drivers to have visual acuity of at least 6/6 in both eyes.
These standards reflect the additional visual requirements associated with operating larger vehicles and equipment.
Can you use an eye test report from outside the UAE?
Yes. The new regulations allow licensing authorities to accept eye examination reports issued outside the UAE.
This provision may help motorists with expired driving licences who are applying for renewal and wish to submit an eligible eyesight report obtained abroad.
Acceptance remains subject to the applicable requirements and approval of the relevant licensing authority.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
