Planning to get your UAE driving license in 2026? Choosing the right RTA-approved driving school in Dubai directly impacts your chances of passing the road test on your first attempt — and avoiding thousands of dirhams in retake fees. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced driver from India, Pakistan, or the Philippines looking to convert your foreign license through the Golden Chance program, this guide breaks down your best options.
We’ve compared fees, pass rates, locations, and real student experiences across Dubai’s top RTA-certified driving institutes to help you make an informed decision. Already hold a valid foreign license? You might qualify to skip mandatory training entirely and save AED 3,000-4,000.
| Driving School | 20-Hour Fee (AED) | Pass Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emirates Driving Institute | 4,265 – 4,955 | High | Branch accessibility, multilingual |
| Belhasa Driving Center | 5,078 – 5,280 | RTA Award Winner | Highest pass rates, VIP service |
| Galadari Motor Driving Centre | 2,000 – 3,000 | Good | Budget-conscious learners |
| Dubai Driving Center | 3,835 | Good | E-learning, heavy vehicles |
| Al Ahli Driving Center | Contact for quote | Good | 18 locations, unlimited packages |
Training fees only. RTA fees, eye test, and license issuance costs apply separately. Prices exclude 5% VAT. Data verified January 2026.
How We Evaluated Dubai’s Driving Schools
We assessed each driving institute based on five key factors that matter most to learners:
Pass rates — The percentage of students who clear RTA tests on their first or second attempt. Higher pass rates indicate better instruction quality.
Pricing transparency — Whether the school clearly communicates all fees upfront, including hidden costs like retake fees and administrative charges.
Location convenience — Number of branches and proximity to residential areas, metro stations, and workplaces.
Schedule flexibility — Availability of regular, Friday, night, and shift training options to accommodate working professionals.
Student reviews — Feedback from actual learners about instructor quality, customer service, and overall experience.
1. Emirates Driving Institute (EDI) — Best for Accessibility
Emirates Driving Institute is Dubai’s largest and oldest driving school, operating since 1991. With over 40 branches across Dubai, Ajman, and Hatta, EDI offers unmatched convenience for learners anywhere in the emirate. The institute has trained more than 500,000 students and employs 500+ instructors who speak Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog, and other languages.
Why Choose EDI
EDI Fee Structure (2026)
| Course Type | Hours | Regular (AED) | Fixed Price (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 20 | 4,265 – 4,955 | 10,440 |
| License 2-5 years | 15 | 3,700 – 4,200 | 8,500 |
| License 5+ years | 10 | 2,800 – 3,200 | 6,800 |
Special courses: Gold Excellence (Toyota Camry/Nissan Patrol), Youth Course (17.5+ with 0% interest), Low-Income Professional (25% discount for those earning under AED 3,000), and Platinum VIP (Tesla, BMW, Mercedes G500, Porsche Cayenne).
Locations: Al Quoz (main), Al Qusais, Jumeirah, plus 40+ branches throughout Dubai.
Contact: +971 4 263 1100 | edi-uae.com
2. Belhasa Driving Center (BDC) — Best Pass Rates
Belhasa Driving Center earned the RTA’s prestigious award for “Highest Passing Rate” in 2022, recognizing their instructors, lecturers, and assessors as the best in Dubai. Founded in 2001, BDC operates a fleet of 700+ vehicles and offers comprehensive training across multiple vehicle categories.
Why Choose Belhasa
BDC Fee Structure (2026)
| Course Type | Hours | Regular (AED) | Friday (AED) | Gold (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner LMV | 20 | 5,078 – 5,280 | 5,878 | 10,678 |
| License 2-5 years | 15 | 4,583 | 5,183 | 8,783 |
| License 5+ years | 10 | 3,800 | 4,400 | 7,283 |
Cardholder discounts: Esaad (20% off at Sharjah branch), Fazaa (15% off training), RAK Bank (special rates).
Locations: Al Wasl, Nad Al Hamar, Al Quoz, Jebel Ali, Karama, Deira, Marina, International City, and more across Dubai, Sharjah, and RAK.
Contact: 800-235-4272 | bdc.ae
3. Galadari Motor Driving Centre (GMDC) — Best Budget Option
Galadari Motor Driving Centre offers the lowest training fees among major Dubai driving schools without compromising on quality. Established in 2004 by entrepreneurs Mustafa and Ilyas Galadari, GMDC employs over 500 qualified instructors and has built a reputation for affordable, safety-focused training.
Why Choose Galadari
GMDC Fee Structure (2026)
| Course Type | Hours | Normal (AED) | Shifts (AED) | Friday (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 20 | 2,000 | 2,800 | 3,000 |
| License 2-5 years | 15 | 1,500 | 2,100 | 2,250 |
| License 5+ years | 10 | 1,000 | 1,400 | 1,500 |
Per-hour rates: Normal AED 100, Shifts AED 140, Friday AED 150.
VIP packages: VIP Gold (Mini Cooper/BMW) from AED 11,999, VIP Platinum (Porsche) from AED 19,000, VIP Platinum (Mercedes G500) from AED 21,000.
Locations: Al Qusais (main office), Al Quoz, Muhaisnah Test Centre.
Contact: 600 595 956 | gmdc.ae
You will be redirected to the official GMDC website.
4. Dubai Driving Center (DDC) — Best for Heavy Vehicles
Dubai Driving Center was established in 2003 by local business owners in partnership with the RTA. The institute specializes in e-learning facilities and comprehensive training for all vehicle categories, making it particularly strong for heavy vehicle, bus, and forklift licensing.
Why Choose Dubai Driving Center
DDC Fee Structure (2026)
| Course Type | Hours | Regular (AED) | Friday/Night/Shift (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Vehicle Beginner | 20 | 3,835 | 4,405 |
| Light Vehicle (2-5 years) | 15 | 3,220 | 3,640 |
| Light Vehicle (5+ years) | 10 | 2,620 | 2,890 |
| Heavy Bus | 20 | 4,750 | 5,890 |
| Heavy Truck | 20 | 4,810 | 5,950 |
| Forklift | 20 | 3,650 | 4,250 |
Training timings: Regular (8:30am – 2:30pm & 3:30pm – 5:30pm) • Friday (7:00am – 12:00pm & 2:00pm – 5:00pm) • Night (8:00pm – 11:00pm)
Location: Industrial Area 3, Al Quoz (near Al-Naboodha Automobiles)
Contact: dubaidrivingcenter.net
5. Al Ahli Driving Center — Best for Convenience
Al Ahli Driving Center operates 18 registration locations across Dubai, making it the most accessible driving school in terms of registration convenience. Recognized by the RTA as “Best Institute for Customer Service” in 2010, Al Ahli focuses on student support and flexible learning options.
Why Choose Al Ahli
Al Ahli Unlimited Packages (2026)
| Package | Price (AED) | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic License | 6,800 | VAT, eye test, RTA fees, guaranteed pass |
| Manual License | 7,500 | VAT, eye test, RTA fees, guaranteed pass |
Registration locations (18 branches): Al Quoz (Head Office), Satwa, Hor Al Anz, Port Saeed, Jebel Ali, Karama, Freg Al Marrar, Bur Dubai, Al Nahda, International City, Mirdif, Dubai Festival City, Emirates Post Office Karama, Immigration Office, Canadian University Dubai, American University Dubai, Deira City Center, Lulu Village.
Contact: 800-252454 (ALAHLI) | alahlidubai.ae
Quick Comparison: Which School Is Right for You?
| Priority | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest price | Galadari (GMDC) | AED 2,000 for 20 hours — 60% cheaper than competitors |
| Highest pass rate | Belhasa (BDC) | RTA award winner for best instructors and pass rates |
| Most branches | Emirates Driving Institute | 40+ locations across Dubai, Ajman, and Hatta |
| Unlimited training | Al Ahli | AED 6,800 all-inclusive until you pass |
| Heavy vehicles | Dubai Driving Center | Strong bus, truck, and forklift programs |
| VIP luxury cars | EDI or Galadari | Tesla, BMW, Mercedes G500, Porsche options |
| Home training | Belhasa | Instructor comes to your locality |
Already Have a Foreign License?
If you hold a valid driving license from India, Pakistan, Philippines, Bangladesh, or other non-exempt countries, you may not need the full 20-hour course. The Golden Chance program lets experienced drivers skip mandatory training and directly appear for the RTA road test — saving AED 3,000-4,000 compared to the regular route.
For a detailed breakdown of what you’ll pay at each school including all RTA fees and hidden costs, check our complete guide to Dubai driving license costs in 2026.
Tips for Choosing Your Driving School
- Visit before registering. Tour the facility, meet instructors, and assess the environment before committing. First impressions matter.
- Check current promotions. Driving schools run frequent offers, especially during summer and Ramadan. Ask about card discounts (Fazaa, Esaad, bank cards) before paying.
- Consider total cost, not just training fees. Factor in RTA fees (approximately AED 1,500-2,000), potential retake costs, and transportation expenses to the school.
- Read recent reviews. Check Google Maps, Facebook, and TrustPilot for feedback from students who completed their training in the past 6 months.
- Ask about instructor preferences. Most schools allow you to request male or female instructors and specify language preferences.
- Understand the refund policy. Know what happens if you need to cancel or transfer your file to another school mid-course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which driving school in Dubai has the highest pass rate?
Belhasa Driving Center received the RTA award for highest passing rate in 2022. Their instructors, lecturers, and assessors were recognized as the best among all Dubai driving schools.
What is the cheapest driving school in Dubai?
Galadari Motor Driving Centre offers the lowest fees at AED 2,000 for a 20-hour beginner course (training only). With all fees included, expect to pay approximately AED 4,500-5,500 total.
Can I change driving schools mid-course?
Yes. File transfer costs approximately AED 330-350 plus a small RTA fee. Your completed training hours and test results transfer with you.
Do driving schools provide transportation?
Some do. Belhasa offers free transportation for students. Al Ahli provides pickup and drop service. EDI offers this in VIP packages. Always confirm before registering.
How long does it take to get a Dubai driving license?
Typically 2-4 months for beginners completing 20 hours of training. VIP and fast-track courses can reduce this to 3-6 weeks if you pass all tests on the first attempt.
Are female instructors available at all schools?
Yes. All major Dubai driving schools employ female instructors. Request one at the time of registration.
Ready to Start?
Getting your UAE driving license opens doors beyond personal mobility. Many positions including airport jobs in Dubai, security guard roles, delivery positions, and sales jobs either require or prefer candidates with valid driving licenses.
Choose the driving school that best fits your budget, location, and learning preferences. Remember: the cheapest option isn’t always the best value if it results in multiple failed attempts.
You will be redirected to the official RTA website.
JobSutra.xyz provides career guidance and practical information for professionals in the UAE. Driving school fees and promotions are subject to change — always verify current prices directly with your chosen institute before registration. Data verified January 2026.
