Planning to get your Dubai driving license but confused about the actual cost? Driving school fees in Dubai range from AED 3,800 to AED 25,000+, depending on the institute, course type, and training hours you choose.
This guide breaks down the complete 2026 fee structure from every major RTA-approved driving school in Dubai — Emirates Driving Institute, Belhasa Driving Center, Galadari Motor Driving Centre, Dubai Driving Center, and Al Ahli Driving Center. Compare prices, understand hidden costs, and choose the school that fits your budget.
| Driving School | 20-Hour Course (AED) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Galadari Motor Driving Centre | 2,000 – 3,000 | Budget-conscious learners |
| Dubai Driving Center | 3,835 | Balanced price & quality |
| Al Ahli Driving Center | 4,000 – 5,500 | Multiple locations convenience |
| Belhasa Driving Center | 5,078 – 5,280 | High pass rates |
| Emirates Driving Institute | 4,265 – 10,440 | Premium training experience |
Training fees only. Additional RTA fees, eye test, and license issuance costs apply. Prices exclude 5% VAT. Data verified January 2026.
Understanding Dubai Driving License Costs
Before comparing schools, understand what you’re actually paying for. The total cost of getting a Dubai driving license includes several components that every learner must pay:
Training fees — This is the driving school’s charge for practical lessons. It varies significantly between institutes and course types (regular, Friday, night, or shift training).
RTA fees — Mandatory government charges including file opening (AED 200-370), knowledge test (AED 200-220), road test (AED 220-300), and license issuance (AED 120-320).
Administrative fees — Driving schools charge their own service fees on top of RTA costs, typically AED 50-100 per test.
Eye test — Required before file opening. Costs AED 50-180 depending on location.
Emirates Driving Institute (EDI) Fees 2026
Emirates Driving Institute is Dubai’s largest driving school with over 40 branches across the emirate. Part of the Belhasa Group, EDI has trained more than 500,000 students since 1991 and employs 500+ instructors who speak multiple languages including Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu, and Tagalog.
| Course Type | Training Hours | Regular Course (AED) | Fixed Price (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner (No prior license) | 20 hours | 4,265 – 4,955 | 10,440 |
| License 2-5 years old | 15 hours | 3,700 – 4,200 | 8,500 |
| License 5+ years old | 10 hours | 2,800 – 3,200 | 6,800 |
| Friday/Weekend Course | 20 hours | 5,375 | 11,200 |
What’s Included in EDI Courses
• Free theory lectures (8 sessions)
• 4 free training hours discount
• RTA fees for first theory test, parking test, assessment test, and road test
• Additional test fees apply from second attempt onwards
• 10% registration discount
• Free eye test
• Unlimited training hours until you pass
• Unlimited test attempts
• Free theory lectures
EDI Special Courses
The Gold Excellence Course offers training in Toyota Camry or Nissan Patrol with fast-track scheduling (up to 4 hours daily). The Youth Driving Course targets university students aged 17.5+ with 0% interest installment plans. The Low-Income Professional course provides 25% discount for those earning under AED 3,000 monthly.
EDI also offers premium VIP packages with luxury vehicles including BMW, Tesla, Mercedes G500, Porsche Cayenne, and Range Rover Sport. These courses start from AED 18,000 for 10 hours and include dedicated liaison officers, home pickup, and priority scheduling.
EDI locations: Al Quoz (main), Al Qusais, Jumeirah, plus 40+ branches across Dubai, Ajman, and Hatta.
Contact: +971 4 263 1100 | edi-uae.com
Belhasa Driving Center Fees 2026
Belhasa Driving Center (BDC) launched in 2001 and has established itself as one of Dubai’s most recognized driving institutes. With over 700 vehicles and branches across Dubai, Sharjah, and RAK, BDC won the RTA’s “Highest Passing Rate” award in 2022 for their instructors and assessors.
| Course Type | Hours | Regular (AED) | Night (AED) | Friday (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner LMV | 20 | 5,078 – 5,280 | 5,478 | 5,878 |
| License 2-5 years | 15 | 4,583 | 4,883 | 5,183 |
| License 5+ years | 10 | 3,800 | 4,100 | 4,400 |
| Shift Training | 20 | 6,678 | — | — |
| Silver Package | 20 | 8,678 | — | — |
| Gold Package | 20 | 10,678 | — | — |
Current Belhasa Offers (2026)
• Up to 40% off on practical training
• Up to 100% off on theory lectures
• VIP and Unlimited packages available
• 0% interest installment plans
• Free transportation for students
Cardholder Discounts at Belhasa
• Fazaa cardholders: 15% off training fees
• RAK Bank customers: Special discounts available
BDC locations: Al Wasl, Nad Al Hamar, Al Quoz, Jebel Ali, Karama, Deira, Marina, International City, and more.
Contact: 800-235-4272 | bdc.ae
Galadari Motor Driving Centre Fees 2026
Galadari Motor Driving Centre (GMDC) is known for offering some of the most affordable driving courses in Dubai. Founded in 2004 by entrepreneurs Mustafa and Ilyas Galadari, GMDC employs over 500 qualified instructors and focuses on budget-friendly training without compromising safety standards.
| Course Type | Hours | Normal (AED) | Shifts (AED) | Friday (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner (No license) | 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 |
| Additional hours | 4 | 400 | 560 | 600 |
GMDC Per-Hour Rates
• Shift classes: AED 140/hour
• Friday classes: AED 150/hour
GMDC Registration and RTA Fees
| Fee Type | GMDC Fee (AED) | RTA Fee (AED) | Total (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|
| File Opening + Learner’s Permit | 380 | 370 | 769 (+VAT) |
| Eye Test | 50 | 90 | 142.50 (+VAT) |
| Theory Lectures (8 sessions) | 400 | — | 420 (+VAT) |
| Theory Test | 70 | 220 | 293.50 (+VAT) |
| Smart Yard Assessment Test | — | — | Free |
| RTA Smart Yard Test | 70 | 220 | 293.50 (+VAT) |
| Road Test | 70 | 220 | 293.50 (+VAT) |
| License Issuance (1+ year) | 100 | 320 | 425 (+VAT) |
GMDC VIP Packages
| Package | Vehicle | 10 Hours | 15 Hours | 20 Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIP Gold | Mini Cooper / BMW | 11,999 | 13,499 | 15,999 |
| VIP Platinum | Porsche | 19,000 | 22,000 | 22,000 |
| VIP Platinum | Mercedes G500 | 21,000 | 23,000 | 25,000 |
GMDC also offers convenient payment plans, theory lectures in English, Arabic, Hindi, and Urdu, plus advanced courses for off-roading, defensive driving, and desert driving.
GMDC locations: Al Qusais (main), Al Quoz, Muhaisnah Test Centre
Contact: 600 595 956 | gmdc.ae
You will be redirected to the official GMDC website.
Dubai Driving Center Fees 2026
Dubai Driving Center was established in 2003 by local business owners and operates closely with the RTA. They offer e-learning facilities and training for all vehicle categories including cars, motorcycles, buses, trucks, and forklifts.
| 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 |
| Royal VIP | 20 | 25,000 | 25,000 |
| Royal VIP | 15 | 21,000 | 21,000 |
| Royal VIP | 10 | 17,000 | 17,000 |
Dubai Driving Center Per-Hour Rates
• Friday/Night/Shift classes: AED 150/hour
DDC Additional Fees
• Knowledge Test: AED 70 + RTA 220
• Final Road Test: AED 70 + RTA 220
• License Issuance: AED 100 + RTA 120-320
Training Timings at DDC
• Friday: 7:00 am – 12:00 pm & 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
• Night: 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Location: Industrial Area 3, Al Quoz (near Al-Naboodha Automobiles)
Contact: dubaidrivingcenter.net
Al Ahli Driving Center Fees 2026
Al Ahli Driving Center has operated since 2006 and was rated “Best Institute for Customer Service” by the RTA in 2010. With 18 registration locations across Dubai, they offer extensive accessibility for students throughout the city.
Al Ahli Unlimited Packages (2026)
• Manual license: AED 7,500 (includes VAT, eye test, RTA fees, guaranteed license)
• Installment payment plans available
Special Features
• Pickup and drop service
• Eye test available at head office
• Online mock tests (600+ questions)
• eLearning portal
• Female instructors available on request
Al Ahli 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
Complete Cost Comparison by Training Hours
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of all Dubai driving schools for beginners (20-hour course):
| Driving School | Regular 20hr (AED) | Friday 20hr (AED) | Unlimited Package (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galadari (GMDC) | 2,000 | 3,000 | Contact for quote |
| Dubai Driving Center | 3,835 | 4,405 | 25,000 (Royal VIP) |
| Emirates Driving Institute | 4,265 – 4,955 | 5,375 | 10,440 |
| Belhasa Driving Center | 5,078 – 5,280 | 5,878 | 10,678 (Gold) |
| Al Ahli Driving Center | Contact for quote | Contact for quote | 6,800 – 7,500 |
Winner for value: Al Ahli’s unlimited package at AED 6,800 includes everything until you pass — ideal if you’re worried about multiple test attempts.
Winner for premium experience: Emirates Driving Institute’s VIP courses with Tesla, BMW, and Mercedes G500 training vehicles.
Hidden Costs to Budget For
Beyond the advertised training fees, plan for these additional expenses:
| Fee Type | Cost Range (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RTA file opening | 370 – 540 | Varies by school markup |
| Learning permit | 100 – 200 | Sometimes included in file opening |
| Eye test | 50 – 180 | Free at some schools |
| Theory lectures | 100 – 500 | Often included in packages |
| Theory test fee | 290 – 350 | Per attempt (RTA 220 + school fee) |
| Smart Yard/Parking test | 290 – 350 | Per attempt |
| Road test fee | 290 – 350 | Per attempt |
| License issuance | 220 – 425 | RTA 120-320 + school fee |
| Additional training | 70 – 150/hour | If you need more practice |
| Re-test fees | 290 – 350 | Per failed test + extra training |
Already Have a License? Save with Golden Chance
If you hold a valid driving license from India, Pakistan, Philippines, Bangladesh, or other non-exempt countries, you may qualify for the Golden Chance program. This fast-track option lets experienced drivers skip mandatory training and directly appear for the RTA road test.
Read our complete guide on Golden Chance driving license in Dubai.
Which Driving School Should You Choose?
Choose Galadari (GMDC) if:
• You’re a confident learner who won’t need many extra hours
• You can travel to Al Qusais or Al Quoz
Choose Emirates Driving Institute if:
• You prefer premium facilities and multiple language options
• You’re interested in VIP courses with luxury vehicles
Choose Belhasa Driving Center if:
• You want home training options
• You hold Fazaa, Esaad, or RAK Bank cards for discounts
Choose Al Ahli Driving Center if:
• Convenience of 18 registration locations matters
• You prefer an all-inclusive package with no surprises
Choose Dubai Driving Center if:
• You need e-learning facilities
• You’re getting heavy vehicle or forklift training
How to Save Money on Your Driving License
- Check for card discounts — Fazaa, Esaad, Saada, and bank cards often provide 15-50% off training fees. Always ask before registering.
- Look for seasonal promotions — Driving schools run frequent offers, especially during summer, Ramadan, and anniversary celebrations.
- Pay in full upfront — Most schools offer 5-10% discount for full payment at registration versus installments.
- Choose regular timing — Friday, night, and shift courses cost AED 300-1,000 more than regular daytime classes.
- Prepare for theory test — Download the free RTA Smart Drive app and practice until you consistently score 90%+.
- Take the assessment seriously — If you have a foreign license, the evaluation test determines your training hours. Drive well to qualify for 10 hours instead of 20.
- Don’t rush the road test — Extra training hours cost less than re-taking the road test multiple times.
Frequently Asked Questions
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). Total cost including all RTA fees is approximately AED 4,500-5,500.
How much does a Dubai driving license cost in total?
Budget AED 5,500-8,500 for a complete beginner course including training, RTA fees, tests, and license issuance. This assumes passing all tests within two attempts.
Which driving school has the highest pass rate?
Belhasa Driving Center received the RTA award for highest passing rate in 2022. Emirates Driving Institute and Galadari also report strong pass rates above 70%.
Can I pay in installments?
Yes. Most driving schools offer 0% interest installment plans. Al Ahli, Belhasa, and EDI all advertise flexible payment options.
Are female instructors available?
Yes. All major driving schools in Dubai employ female instructors. Request one at registration.
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.
Can I transfer my file to another driving school?
Yes. File transfer costs approximately AED 330-350 plus a small RTA fee. Your completed training hours and test results transfer with you.
Is the driving test in English?
The theory test is available in multiple languages including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu, and others. The road test examiner may speak English or Arabic.
Ready to Start?
Getting your Dubai driving license is an investment in your mobility and career prospects. With a valid UAE license, you qualify for driver positions, delivery roles, and countless opportunities that require personal transportation.
🚗 Golden Chance Driving License Dubai 2026 — Skip training if you have a foreign license
🏫 Best Driving Schools in Dubai 2026 — Detailed reviews with pass rates
✈️ Airport Jobs in Dubai 2026 — Positions that benefit from having a license
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 are subject to change — always verify current prices directly with your chosen institute before registration. Data in this article was verified in January 2026.
