A driving license in Sharjah is the essential permit that everyone needs for driving a car. Just like everywhere else in the UAE, driving a vehicle with no license is illegal and if caught, the driver will face certain penalties. You may face fines of up to AED 5000, your vehicle will be seized and you will be taken to court. In some cases, people have received a few months of imprisonment for driving without a license.
These penalties and fines seem like a lot but can be easily avoided by getting a Sharjah driving license. Most people believe that the only challenging step is passing the driving tests. However, there are well-equipped and advanced driving schools all across the UAE, dedicated to this purpose. In this article from Lookinsure mag, we’re going to look at all the steps you need to take to obtain a driving license Sharjah.
Frequently Answered Questions
1. Can I apply for a driving license in Dubai with a Sharjah visa?
Yes, you can apply for a driving license in Dubai with a Sharjah visa. A license requires a valid UAE residence visa and a Sharjah visa is a residence visa issued by Sharjah and it is completely valid all over the UAE.
2. Can I renew my Sharjah driving license in Dubai?
Yes. You can renew your Sharjah driving license in Dubai. You still need to undergo all the renewal required steps.
3. How to change my Sharjah driving license to Dubai?
In order to change your Sharjah driving license to a Dubai driving license, you need to complete a legal procedure set by the RTA. The procedure is available online and in person in authorized facilities.
4. How to get an international driving license in Sharjah?
An international license is called an IDP or an international driving permit in the UAE. To get an IDP in Sharjah, you need to apply through the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE or an authorized organization.
5. Is NOC required for a driving license in Sharjah?
An NOC (no objection certificate) is not usually required for getting a driver’s license in Sharjah.
How to apply for a driving license in Sharjah?
In case you’re after your driver’s license, applying for one is a bit more than taking driving classes in Sharjah. This process includes a couple of general tests as well as the driving classes and tests that you’re familiar with. Let’s take a look at the test requirements for getting your driving license in Sharjah:
Driver’s License Test Requirements
Several tests are required before actual driving tests and classes. The tests are as follows:
Vision Test
The very first test that is required when getting your license is a vision test. Impaired eyesight affects driving and increases the risk of causing accidents.
Therefore, eyesight and color vision are important when it comes to getting your license. There is a minimum standard that your eyesight should either meet or exceed, to be able to drive in Sharjah.
There are RTA-approved centers dedicated to eye tests for driving licenses in Sharjah such as Grand Optics, Al Jaber Optical, and Rivoli Eyezone. The cost for this test is around AED 150.
Theory Test
The theory test is designed to test your knowledge of traffic rules and regulations. This test has 35 questions, requiring at least a 60 percent mark to pass.
This test ensures that you can read traffic signs and know all the traffic rules before entering the road. You can participate in a mock theory test before the actual one to get familiar with the structure and the process.
Parking Test
The parking test either comes alongside or right before the road test. Also known as part of the road test, the parking test calculates your parking abilities and ensures that you can park in different methods and in all spaces, without breaking any rules.
Road Test
The final section is the road test. This is where your instructor tests all your driving skills and makes sure that you are ready for driving in the city and on the roads.
All driving schools in Sharjah take mock road tests from drivers to examine their abilities. Therefore, there is nothing to worry about.
The most important thing is paying attention to traffic laws, rules, and regulations. This also helps you avoid Sharjah traffic fines check later in your driving journey.
Required Documents for Sharjah Driving License
To get your Sharjah driving license, there are several documents required. Just like any other legal procedure, gathering all these documents is essential. Let’s take a look at them:
- Copy of passport
- Proof of residence (copy of residence visa page)
- Copy and original Emirates ID
- 2 photographs
- Eye test report
- No objection letter from the sponsor (if required by the related traffic department).
Driving license Sharjah Cost
Depending on the driving school you choose, the classes you take, and the time you spend learning to drive, your Sharjah driving license total fees might vary. In the following section, we have gathered the approximate costs:
| Fee Category | Description | Amount (AED) |
| File Opening | – | 200 |
| Vision Test | – | 150 |
| Theory Courses | – | 600 |
| Practical Training | Automatic cars (range) | 1400 – 3500 |
| Manual cars (range) | 1200 – 3000 | |
| Practical Tests | Practical parking test | 300 |
| Practical assessment test | 342 | |
| Practical final road test | 300 |
As mentioned earlier, these are approximate numbers and your driving license Sharjah cost might differ regarding factors such as your driving school and more.
Detailed steps for obtaining a driver’s license
After going over all the details such as necessary documents, fees, and more, it’s time to take a more precise approach to the driving license process.
The following steps are essential if you’re planning on officially Driving in the UAE, and paying attention to each step helps you avoid mistakes and complications. The RTA Sharjah driving license steps are as follows:
1. Meet the Eligibility Criteria
To get your Sharjah Driving license, you will need to meet the eligibility criteria first. Regarding Sharjah’s RTA rules and regulations, all individual citizens and residents who are of legal age and medically fit can get a driving license. Let’s see the age requirements for a driving license:
- 17 years for motorcycles and vehicles for people with special needs
- 18 years for cars and lightweight vehicles
- 20 years for heavy vehicles and tractors
- 21 years for buses
2. Choose a Driving School
Another important step is choosing your driving school. There are several driving schools in Sharjah that you can choose from. Many factors might affect the decision you make, such as the cost and driving license fee in Sharjah, the number of courses, and much more. Usually, you can learn about these factors through a certain school’s website as well as visiting it.
3. Complete the Eye Test
As mentioned earlier, undergoing an eye test is an essential step when it comes to getting a driver’s license. This test is taken to ensure that your eyesight is fine for driving a vehicle and won’t be a threat to yourself or other drivers. More information was given above.
4. Open a Traffic File
Before attending theoretical and practical courses, you should first open a traffic file.
5. Attend Theory Classes
Attending theory classes is essential before being able to take its tests. These classes are offered by all authorized driving schools in Sharjah.
6. Pass the Theory Test
After attending the theory classes and perhaps taking a mock test, you need to pass the actual theory test. This test is taken to examine your knowledge of traffic rules and laws. The attendant is required to get at least a 60 percent score to pass.
7. Begin Practical Training
Practical training is perhaps the most important step. It is necessary to take these classes, offered by all authorized driving schools. Practical classes are almost the same in content and purpose. They mostly differ in the period of the courses and types of mock tests.
8. Complete Internal Tests
Internal tests can include all the necessary or optional mock tests that a driving school takes to examine your knowledge and skills in different aspects of driving.
9. Take the Parking Test
The parking test examines your ability to park in different spaces without breaking rules. This ensures that you will receive little to no Sharjah parking SMS due to breaking parking rules.
10. Pass the Road Test
Finally, the test that most people stress over is the road test. This is the actual driving test that examines all your driving skills and abilities. Your instructor will give you all the necessary information on how to pass the RTA road test.
11. Receive Your Driving License
After passing the final test, which is the road test, you should wait for your driver’s license. After passing the test, the actual license will be issued within 1-3 days.
How to renew a driving license in Sharjah?
A driving license is valid for only 2 years in Sharjah. After this timeframe, you need to renew it to be able to still use it. This process is quite easy. Let’s take a quick look at Sharjah driving license renewal essentials:
Required Documents for Renewal
Just like all other legal procedures, driving license renewal Sharjah requires documents and the absence of any of these can lead to complications in your process and perhaps failure. These are the necessary documents to renew driving license Sharjah:
– Original and valid Emirates ID
Your original ID is required as proof of your identity.
– Valid eye test
An eye test is valid for 3 years. If you have taken your eye test any longer than 3 years ago, you need to retake the test through an authorized eye test center.
– Photograph
Your photograph is required for Sharjah license renewal.
Cost of Sharjah Driving License Renewal
The costs for renewing your license in Sharjah are as follows:
| Fee Category | Description | Amount (AED) |
| Federal Fees | Drivers under 21 years old | 100 |
| Drivers over 21 years old | 300 | |
| Local Fees | Knowledge fees | 10 |
| Innovation fees | 10 | |
| Other Fees | Eye test (only if applicable) | 150 |
| Delivery (only if applicable) | 15 | |
| Renewal delay (per month, only if applicable) | 10 |
Renewing Sharjah driving license locations
You can either attend any Sharjah driving license renewal location such as RTA facilities, or you can get your Sharjah license renewal online through the official MOI website. To renew your license, you need to do a precise traffic fine check. Clearing out all your previous fines is necessary to renew your driving license.
Sharjah Driving License Expiration Grace Period and Fines
In Sharjah, there is a grace period after your driving license expires that allows you to renew it without a fine. This grace period is one month after the expiration of your driving license.
This means that you can renew it in this period without facing any penalties. In case you fail to renew your license within the given period, you will face a fine for your delay.
Find the Best Sharjah Car Insurance Deals
After getting your driving license, you still can’t drive a car if it is not insured. Getting car insurance is a primary and essential step when it comes to driving a car. Paying attention to the policy and insurer you choose is very important, and could affect the safety of yourself and others while covering certain financial consequences.
Keep in mind that driving an uninsured car is illegal in Sharjah. Therefore, after you get your driving license and own a car, you must get car insurance (Be sure to read about how to transfer car ownership in Sharjah.
Lookinsure has gathered all of the most reliable car insurance companies in Sharjah all in one place to help you get the best deals by letting us know about the car you drive and your priorities.
Conclusion
Getting a Sharjah driving license is essential to be able to drive and hit the road in Sharjah. Just like all other places, getting a driving license in Sharjah requires you to undergo a legal procedure. This procedure includes several different tests and courses. Applying for a driving course through a driving school is among the necessary steps that prepare you for the actual tests. After receiving your driver’s license, insuring your car should be a priority. Driving an uninsured vehicle is illegal and if caught, you will face penalties. Therefore, choosing a suitable insurance policy and provider is very crucial. Lookinsure is here to help you through every step of your journey. Make sure to contact us through our website to find the best insurance deals. Good luck!
