http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Traffic_and_Transport/10307998.html

Renew your driving licence online

By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief ReporterPublished: April 26, 2009, 23:10

Dubai: Motorists in Dubai can now renew their driving licences online, Gulf News has learnt.
“We have launched the online driving licence renewal service this week,” Engineer Ali Al Jasem, Director of the Licensing Department at the Licensing Agency of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said.

He said the new service would help reduce road trips of motorists saving their time and money. Also, they do not have to wait in queues to get the job done.

Al Jasem told Gulf News that online driving renewal service was the latest addition to the e-service provided by the Agency to benefit the RTA customers.

Ahmad Bahrouzian, CEO of the Licensing Agency earlier said the RTA would also develop an online portal to help motorists renew their vehicle registration without making trips to the RTA offices. “The initiative will help customers complete many other services online service, including purchasing of number plates, vehicle ownership certificates and driving test appointments.”

Al Jasem said that customers interested in renewing their driving licences will have to do their eye tests first and send details using the e-services on the RTA’s website.

They will have to pay Dh110 as renewal fees. On receiving a complete online application, the licence will be posted to the applicant within four working days.

According to the RTA’s statistics, around 1.2 million people in Dubai hold driving licences while an average of 12,000 licences per month were issued during the course of last year.

“All these people have to go to the RTA offices to get service and have to wait in queues. The new online services will help reduce the rush,” he added.

Eye tests: RTA signs agreement

The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed an agreement with Al Jaber Optical Centre and Al Yateem Optician for conducting eye tests of applicants who apply for driving licences. Any one applying for a new driving licence or renewing a licence can go to any shop of Al Jaber and Al Yateem opticians in Dubai to have their eyesight checked – a prerequisite to obtain a driving licence.

The eyesight test will cost Dh25. Din Raj, an administrator at Al Yateem, said that their shops have already started conducting the tests and the online service will be available within a week’s time.

Customers need to bring two photographs, a passport copy or any other proof of identity. A customer can either take a certificate of the test results and submit the application in person or the optician can send the results directly to the RTA.