If you are a Heavy vehicle driver, you might wonder if you can drive a car with your heavy vehicle licence. A truck driver gets a heavy vehicle driving licence after passing the testing phases of the Roads and Transport Authority, UAE. A valid Dubai heavy vehicle driving licence generally allows the holder to drive both light and heavy vehicles.
If you have a valid Heavy Vehicle Driving Licence issued in Dubai, you can generally drive an eligible car, such as a sedan, SUV, hatchback, or other light vehicle. The RTA describes the heavy vehicle driving licence as a licence for driving all types of light and heavy vehicles.
However, your licence must be valid and active, and you should check the vehicle category and any restrictions recorded on your licence before driving. The vehicle must also have valid registration and insurance.
Why you can drive a car on an HV/Truck license in Dubai
According to the current RTA licence category information, a heavy vehicle driving licence covers all types of light and heavy vehicles. This means a valid heavy vehicle licence can generally be used to drive an eligible private car in Dubai.
Examples of eligible light vehicles can include:
- Sedans
- Hatchbacks
- Coupes
- Most private SUVs
- Family cars
- Certain pickup trucks
- Small vans
- Light commercial vehicles within the permitted limits
The vehicle’s appearance does not determine its legal category. You should check the vehicle registration card to confirm its official classification before driving.
Note that a heavy vehicle licence should not be assumed to cover motorcycles. Motorcycle driving is a separate licence category, so you need the appropriate motorcycle licence to ride legally.
How to get a light vehicle driving licence in Dubai?
If your current licence does not include the light vehicle category, you may need to complete the relevant RTA process before driving a light vehicle. However, a standard Dubai heavy vehicle licence generally already covers light vehicles, so many HV licence holders do not need to add a separate car category.
Before you apply for a driving licence in Dubai, know that you have to meet the following initial requirements.
- Your age must be above 18.
- You must have a valid residence visa and passport.
- Your employer has no validations upon you.
- A medical certificate of your fitness.
For a heavy vehicle driving licence, the minimum age is 20 years. The minimum age for a light vehicle licence is 18 years.
How to pass a light vehicle driving licence in Dubai?
Getting a light vehicle driving licence in Dubai requires the following steps:
- You must pass an initial theory test consisting of the RTA’s rules and regulations.
- After you pass the theory test, you have to pass a parking test in which you have to show your turning, merging, and parking skills like garage parking, hill parking, and other parking skills.
- Once you have passed the parking test, you will take the last RTA test of road driving. In this test, your actual skills of road driving will be assessed.
The exact tests and training requirements can vary according to the licence category and the applicant’s circumstances. RTA testing can include Knowledge, Yard and Road Tests.
Remove the previous claims that 90% of people fail the initial theory test and 30%-40% fail the road driving test unless you have a reliable current source for these statistics.
Fee for applying for a driving licence in Dubai
The fee for applying for a driving licence in Dubai is as follows:
The total cost can vary depending on the licence category, driving institute, number of training lessons and test attempts. RTA government fees are only part of the overall cost because driving-school and training charges may be added separately.
Current RTA charges can include:
- Learning permit for a light vehicle: AED 100
- Learning permit for a heavy vehicle: AED 200
- Traffic file: AED 200
- Handbook manual: AED 50
- Electronic eye test: approximately AED 140–180
- New licence for a person under 21: AED 100
- New licence for a person aged 21 or above: AED 300
- Knowledge and Innovation fee: generally AED 20 where applicable
Heavy Vehicle Licence vs Light Vehicle Licence in the UAE
Both licences allow people to drive on UAE roads, but their training requirements and permitted vehicles are different.
| Feature | Light Vehicle Licence | Heavy Vehicle Licence |
| Main purpose | Driving cars and eligible light vehicles | Driving trucks and eligible heavy vehicles |
| Common vehicles | Sedans, SUVs, hatchbacks and small vans | Trucks, lorries and large cargo vehicles |
| Minimum age | 18 years | 20 years |
| Can you drive a normal car? | Permitted | Generally permitted in Dubai |
| Can you drive a heavy truck? | Not permitted | Permitted |
| Training type | Light vehicle training | Heavy vehicle training |
| Testing | Knowledge, yard and road tests | Knowledge, yard and road tests |
| Medical requirements | Standard requirements | Stricter requirements may apply |
| Commercial permissions | Not automatically included | Not automatically included |
A light vehicle licence does not permit you to drive a heavy truck. A heavy vehicle licence issued in Dubai, however, is described by RTA as covering both light and heavy vehicles.
This distinction is important. Licence categories work according to the authority granted to the driver, not according to which vehicle seems easier to operate.
Safer Driver Dubai has got you if you don’t have a driving licence in Dubai
If you don’t have a driving licence, you cannot drive legally in Dubai. To meet the needs for a Safe Driver, Safer Driver Dubai is helping. A Safe Driver provides professional driving services. Safer Driver Dubai is an Emirati company that provides Safe Drivers to the residents and tourists of UAE and is providing the best services in the niche.
What are the services offered by the Safer Driver Dubai?
Safer Driver Dubai provides the following services but their services aren’t just confined to these only.
- If you are feeling dizzy after a party, don’t drive. Any mistake in driving in Dubai can make you go through severe consequences. Safer Driver Dubai can help.
- Safer Driver Dubai offers pickup services from the airport if you are new to Dubai and feeling confused.
- You don’t need to worry about your corporate travels because Safer Driver Dubai has professional, well-presented, well-mannered chauffeurs.
- If you want to go on a road trip and hire a Safe Driver to enjoy a hassle-free, peaceful trip, Safer Driver UAE can help you with that.
- Safer Driver Dubai helps with customised services for your convenience.
Conclusion
Yes, you can generally drive an eligible car in Dubai with a valid Heavy Vehicle Driving Licence. The RTA describes the heavy vehicle licence as covering all types of light and heavy vehicles.
However, your licence must be valid and active, and you should confirm that the light vehicle category is included in your official licence record. Foreign, expired, suspended or restricted licences may be subject to different rules.
If you want to keep off from this buzzing procedure, you can hire a Safe Driver Dubai and enjoy hassle-free travelling.
Need a Personal Driver Instead of Driving Yourself?
Even if your heavy vehicle license allows you to drive a car, there may be times when you would rather not drive yourself. Safe Driver Dubai provides experienced, RTA-approved safe drivers who can safely drive you in your own vehicle anywhere across Dubai and the UAE. It is a convenient option for business trips, special events, airport transfers, or whenever you prefer a safe and relaxing journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you drive a car with a heavy vehicle licence in Dubai?
Yes. A valid Dubai Heavy Vehicle Driving Licence generally allows the holder to drive both light and heavy vehicles. This means you can generally drive an eligible car, such as a sedan, SUV, hatchback, or other permitted light vehicle.
2. Do I need a separate light vehicle licence if I have a heavy vehicle licence in Dubai?
Generally, no. A standard Dubai Heavy Vehicle Driving Licence already covers light vehicles. However, you should check your official licence record to confirm that the light vehicle category is included and that there are no restrictions.
3. What types of cars can I drive with a heavy vehicle licence in Dubai?
A valid heavy vehicle licence can generally be used to drive eligible light vehicles, including sedans, hatchbacks, coupes, most private SUVs, family cars, certain pickup trucks, and small vans within the permitted limits.
4. Can I drive a motorcycle or a car on an HV/Truck license in Dubai?
No. A heavy vehicle licence should not be assumed to cover motorcycles. Motorcycle driving is a separate licence category, so you need the appropriate motorcycle licence to ride legally in Dubai.
5. What is the minimum age for a heavy vehicle driving licence in Dubai?
The minimum age for a heavy vehicle driving licence is 20 years. For a light vehicle driving licence, the minimum age is 18 years.
6. What tests are required to get a light vehicle driving licence in Dubai?
Depending on the licence category and your circumstances, the RTA testing process can include a Knowledge Test, Yard Test, and Road Test. Applicants must also complete the required training before taking the applicable tests.
7. How much does it cost to get a driving licence in Dubai?
The total cost varies depending on the licence category, driving institute, training lessons, and number of test attempts. RTA government fees are only part of the overall cost, as driving-school and training charges may also apply.
8. Can I use a Safe Driver service if I have a heavy vehicle licence but don’t want to drive?
Yes. If you have a valid driving licence but prefer not to drive yourself, you can hire a Safe Driver Dubai service. A professional driver can drive you in your own vehicle, making it useful for business trips, airport transfers, special events, road trips, or whenever you prefer a more relaxed journey.
8. What can I do if I have a heavy vehicle licence but don’t want to drive myself?
If you prefer not to drive yourself, you can use a professional Safe Driver Dubai service. A safe driver can drive you in your own vehicle, which can be useful for airport trips, business travel, events, after-party transportation, or when you simply want someone else to handle the driving.
