In the UAE, driving is a privilege that one has to acquire a valid license. The nation has certain classes depending on the kind of car you are planning to drive. Being an inexperienced driver or simply upgrading your license, it is necessary to be familiar with these categories so that you do not violate the laws of the country.
In this blog, I will break down UAE Driving License Categories List and give you the much-needed information that you require.
Category 1: Two-Wheelers
This includes motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds. This license is ideal when you are a fan of the two-ended vehicle and would like to have the open road on the motorcycle.
Minimum Age Requirement
You should be at least 17 years of age to apply to this license. The age restriction can be explained by the fact that the process of riding a two-wheeler may be more difficult and risky, particularly among younger people.
Theoretical and Practical Tests
You will have to pass a theoretical and practical tests before being allowed to obtain a two-wheeler license. Part of the theory includes traffic regulations, road signs, and road safety, whereas the practical examination includes riding on a test-track or a public road. It is concentrated on the motorcycle, compliance with road signs, and working through the traffic.
Among young people who have a passion to ride, it is important to acquire good riding habits early in life and this is where these tests prove rigid.
Category 2: Light Travelling Vehicles (LTV)
Light Traveling Vehicles encompass automobiles, SUVs, vans, and light trucks and normally total up to 3.5 tons. This is the general license, and it permits you to operate ordinary personal or family vehicles.
Minimum Age Requirement
You must be 18 years of age to be granted an LTV license. This is in line with the legal driving age in most countries and ensures that you are big enough to know the responsibility of driving a car.
Theoretical and Practical Tests
As with two-wheelers, you will have to pass a series of theoretical and practical tests. The theory includes road safety and signs as well as the legal responsibilities of drivers. The driving test is conducted practically to assess your driving capabilities, which includes parking, highway driving, and general control of the vehicle.
This type is the most suitable to ordinary drivers, particularly individuals who intend to drive private cars to work or personal purposes.
Category 3: Heavy Travelling Vehicles (HTV)
This group falls under people who want to drive heavy trucks, buses, and trailers with a weight of more than 3.5 tons. Operating an HTV is associated with the responsibility of these vehicles, as they are heavy and large. They are more commonly employed in the commercial sector e.g., to transport goods or passengers over a long distance.
Minimum Age Requirement
In order to apply for an HTV license, one must be 20 years old and must possess a valid Category 2 license and show at least 1 year of the validity of the license. This is necessary so that you are well-trained in smaller cars, then proceed to heavier cars.
Theoretical and Practical Tests
The HTVs’ tests are mostly more challenging. The testing on the theory is likely to include such aspects of the heavy vehicle mechanics and safety issues as cargo safety, the mechanics of the vehicles and the emergency procedures. The practicum on driving is conducted on highways, smaller roads, and tight areas where it may be difficult to manoeuvre a huge vehicle.
It is essential to have a good knowledge of heavy vehicle dynamics, particularly among long-distance commercial drivers.
Category 4: Minibus
The fourth category deals with minibuses that accommodate 8-15 passengers. They are commonly applied in shuttle services, school transportation, or in small groups. A minibus is a type of vehicle that needs special handling due to its size and the number of passengers that the bus can accommodate.
Minimum Age Requirement
In order to gain this license, one should be at least 21 years old and must have had a valid Category 3 license for a year. This will make sure that you have been driving bigger vehicles prior to handling a car that is transporting some people.
Theoretical and Practical Tests
The minibus category tests are focused on the safety of the passengers. The theory test shall entail safety measures of ferrying people, whereas the practical test is dedicated to the manipulation of the vehicle in various environments, particularly in urban areas where there are a lot of pedestrians.
Minibus drivers should be more careful, and their main task is to promote the safety of their passengers.
Category 5: Heavy Bus
This group is in case of persons desiring to drive buses with over 15 seats. It is an improvement over Category 4 and mostly targets drivers in public transport or large shuttle services.
Minimum Age Requirement
Applicants must be aged a minimum of 21 years and with a minimum of 1 year of experience with a Category 3 license before submitting the application to be issued a Heavy Bus license. Such requirements exist so that only well-trained drivers would be staying with large passenger cars.
Theoretical and Practical Tests
Operating a heavy bus involves going through tough theory and practice tests. The theory component will address safety laws, in-depth passenger management, and other rules of traffic, which are unique to the public transportation. The practical test implies driving in a traffic jam, learning the processes of passenger load, and driving in various circumstances.
Safety of various passengers is never a secondary matter and so this category is among the hardest to qualify.
Category 6: Shovel
In this category, there are driving vehicles that are used in the process of excavation and handling of materials, like a shovel or loader. These vehicles are mostly applied in construction sites or in an industry where heavy lifting and excavation is required.
Minimum Age Requirement
You must be 21 years of age and have at least 1 year of valid Category 3 license in order to drive a shovel. These special vehicles demand much driving experience.
Theoretical and Practical Tests
The theory test that you will be tested on would be site safety, heavy vehicle mechanics, and the operation guidelines of the vehicle. The on-site test involves operating the shovel in an artificial working environment, illustrating the skill in excavation activities, and making sure that all the safety regulations are observed.
Shovel operators need to be skilled in handling heavy equipment, often working in confined spaces, making the practical test particularly crucial.
Category 7: Forklift
This group is that of the users of forklifts and other industrial vehicles meant to handle material in warehouses or construction sites.
Minimum Age Requirement
To be eligible to this license, one should be above 18 years old since forklifts may be utilized inside premises or controlled area, yet they need to be handled proportionately.
Theoretical and Practical Tests
Forklift license tests involve theory and practical tests. The theory section will include safety measures in the industrial area, handling of loads, and navigation in narrow areas. The practical test is based on the skills to work with the loads safely, to use the forklift in a controlled way and to use all the necessary safety guidelines.
Forklift drivers would be required in any industry that involves heavy lifting, and so the tests would be a significant part of the licensing process.
Additional Information
Learner’s Permit
You will have to purchase a learners permit before you apply to any driving license in the UAE. This will enable you to have supervised driving and be ready to take your final driving exam. The permit expires after a given period of time, and within this time, you are required to put in a given number of practice hours which will entitle you take the practical test.
Probationary Period
New drivers are required to go through probation of one year after passing your tests and getting your driving license. Any form of traffic offenses or accidents during this period may result in a heavy fine, or even a license suspension.
Eye Test
Every applicant of a driving license must take an eye test. This makes you have a vision needed to drive safely on the roads. The test also examines visual acuity, depth perception, and color vision, which guarantee that you are able to read the road signs and respond accordingly to the road situation.
Fees
In the UAE, the fee of obtaining a driving license is associated with some fees such as:
- Learner’s permit fees: The price of an application of a learner permit.
- Driving test fees: Payment for both theoretical and practical test charges.
- License issuance fees: The final cost to issue your driving license once you pass all required tests.
These fares depend on the type of the license and your school of driving.
Final Words
To conclude, the variety of driving licenses in the UAE should be known in case you intend to drive. The types of vehicles in each category serve a specific vehicle type and have the age requirements, the theoretical and practical driving tests. You have to be full of the required qualifications and practice hard before you apply. The UAE roads are in good conditions and yet, the primary concern is to drive safely.
