One-year validity mooted for fresh driving licences

DUBAI — Soon, acquiring a new driving license may not entitle you to drive on unhindered for 10 years straight. According to a fresh proposal, you'll have to prove you deserved it (your licence), for at least the first three years after acquiring it.

by

Amira Agarib

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Published: Wed 4 Jun 2008, 1:20 AM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 6:22 PM

Dubai Traffic Police and Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) have together proposed that all new driving licences to be issued to fresh applicants should be valid for a one-year period, to be renewed annually for up to three years, before it's converted into a 10-year valid licence.

Not just that, those going to seek driving licence for heavy vehicles, must have possessed light vehicle driving licence for at least five years.

The proposal comes in the wake of a joint study conducted by the two authorities, which reveals that the recent rise in road accidents is caused mainly by motorists who had obtained driving licences recently.

Currently, the driving licence is issued for a 10-year period to be renewed on expiry.

The proposal stipulates the need to issue fresh driving licence for one year, renewable annually up to three years, based on the performance of the licence holder before it's converted into a 10-year licence. Speaking to reporters yesterday, Mohammed Saif Al Zafin, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police said the proposal aimed at reducing road accidents and traffic violations caused by motorists, especially youth, who have recently acquired licences.

It has also been suggested that flexible working hours be introduced in local government departments, which can help reduce the traffic congestion by 50 per cent.

Major Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, Deputy Director of the General Department of Traffic, said several new mobile radars had been installed on Al Wasl Road —between Spinneys and Dubai Police Academy — to monitor speeding. The department has fixed 49 radars and distributed eight police patrols on Jumeirah road, each patrolling 1-km area.

In the past two days, Dubai Police has also deployed undercover police whose cars are fitted with cameras to record pictures of young violators plying on Emirates Road and Business Bay Crossing. Several traffic violations, particularly speeding, have been recorded, he said, adding, that the cars of the violators had been impounded for a six-month period.


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