UAE: Can 17-year-olds start driving lessons yet? Parents rue lack of clarity

Parents looking to enrol their teenage child for driving lessons this summer are facing a roadblock. Despite a new rule that youngsters aged 17 and above can apply for their driving licence, most institutes in the UAE still require that applicants be at least 17.5 years old before they can register for classes. Several parents shared that this was a “missed opportunity” for many teenagers.

Dubai-based parent Lilli was hoping that the summer break would be a good opportunity for her daughter to start driving lessons. “I called five institutes in Dubai, but they all turned me down,” she said.

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“They said that although the rule had been announced, they had not received any directive to start offering classes to 17-year-olds. I had thought it would be great for my daughter to have the full two months of summer break to practice her driving. The roads would be relatively empty, and she would be off school, so it would have been a great chance for her to get comfortable driving. It is truly a missed opportunity.”

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Lilli, whose daughter turned 17 in May, said that most of the institutes offered to open her daughter’s file but she would be allowed inside a car only by January once she was 17 years and six months. “I am guessing it is going to take time for rules to be actually actioned, but it was very disappointing for us to expect something and not have it happen,” she said. “Hopefully the law will be enforced soon.”

It was in March this year that the UAE lowered the minimum age limit for obtaining a driving licence to 17. Earlier, youngsters could start learning driving once they were 17 years and six months but would be issued a licence only once they turned 18. This was changed when a new federal decree law on traffic regulations was passed in October 2024.

'No information yet on new rule'

A telephone operator at Galadari Driving Institute confirmed that it was not yet possible for 17-year-olds to apply for their licence. “Students can open a file with us now,” the operator confirmed. “They can start learning either when they turn 17.5 years or when the new rule is implemented." She added that there was no clarity on when the new rules will be implemented.

Her comments were confirmed by another telephone operator at Sharjah Driving Institute. “We know about the new federal rule, but it has not been put in place as yet,” the operator said. “We are yet to receive any information about when it will be rolled out.”

Several parents took to social media to share similar experiences with other driving institutes. “My son was so excited by the law change but we keep calling and they tell us it is not in Dubai yet,” wrote one parent.

Nasreen Abdulla

nasreen@khaleejtimes.com

Nasreen Abdulla is a Special Correspondent covering food, tech and human interest stories. When not challenged by deadlines, you’ll find her pulling off submissions on the jiu jitsu mats.