Women in RAK complain against hiked driving lesson fees

Ras Al Khaimah - "I have spent a lot of money on the lessons but have not so far managed to get my driving license."

A number of women in Ras Al Khaimah have complained that the driving schools in the northern emirate have unreasonably hiked fees by 50 per cent.
 
They have also complained that the driving teachers do not give them enough time to master driving skills, and urged the bodies concerned to monitor the driving schools, and force them to cut fees.
 
Egyptian Umm Abdullah, told Khaleej Times that the driving schools in the emirate are not doing their job properly, but yet "they collect higher fees."
 
Women here have to pay much money on driving learning schools before they get the driving license, she added.
 
"I have spent a lot of money on the lessons but have not so far managed to get my driving license."
 
This is mostly due to unqualified driving teachers, she pointed out. "They do not also give us enough time to learn and master the driving skills required."
 
Umm Mohammed, a Syrian expat, said she used to pay Dh25 per hour for a driving class, but now she is paying Dh50.
"Now, I have to by Dh50. This 50 per cent hike is unreasonable and cannot be justified as the schools do not do extra work."
 
Unless Sara needed her driving license to go shopping, drop her children to school, and care for her personal needs, she would not waste her time and money of useless driving lessons.
 
"A driving license is so important to me to manage my daily family affairs as my husband is working in another emirate and only come home at the weekend; otherwise I would not waste my money and time on such useless lessons which do not add to me."
 
Wafaa Saqr, teacher, urged the bodies concerned to force the driving schools to cut fees from Dh50 to Dh25 per hour as was the case before. "Sometimes half an hour is wasted in the training car even before moving a meter!"
 
Abeer Qasim, secretary, said it took her six months to learn driving at a school in RAK before getting her driving license. "The trainers are not even terminated as they should be" she said, calling for more stringent control over all driving schools.
 
Hala Abdurrahman, a housewife, said she could not help stopping her training at a driving school after spending a lot of money.
"I have learnt nothing and yet paying more money."
 
Col Nasser Mohammed Matter, director of the vehicles and drivers licensure department, said they have opened a new branch to keep an eye on all driving schools.
 
"This is apart from surprise inspection campaigns at all driving schools to curb any violation."  
 
All driving trainers must be highly qualified, and observe the due uniform and cleanliness, he added. "A driving learning car may be used in training outside the school for maximum five years and seven years within the school."
 
As such, the department has permitted the driving schools to increase fees from Dh25 to Dh50 per each 50-minute class, he underlined. "Driving schools have been instructed to renew their training car fleet on a regular basis, and that adds to their financial burdens."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Ras Al Khaimah