UAE: Can 17-year-olds begin driving lessons? Parents question delays

Time of India

29-06-2025

Despite the new law, many driving schools are delaying lessons for 17-year-olds, awaiting official guidelines (Representative Inage)
In an eagerly awaited change to the UAE's traffic regulations, teenagers turning 17 can now apply for a driving license starting March 29, 2025. This marks a significant shift from the previous requirement of 18 years, allowing those as young as 17 to get behind the wheel of a car.
However, as many parents are discovering, the law's implementation has not been as seamless as expected, with confusion and delays creating frustration for those eager to enroll their children in driving lessons.
A New Era for Teen Drivers in the UAE
The UAE government's announcement in October 2024 brought a wave of excitement among young residents. The new federal decree lowered the age for obtaining a driving license from 18 to 17 years for cars and light vehicles.
The law, which officially took effect in March 2025, was heralded as a long-awaited reform, giving teenagers the chance to apply for permits as soon as they turn 17.
While the law was meant to be a progressive step in reducing barriers to driving for youth, the transition has not been as smooth as anticipated. Despite the rule being officially in place, many driving schools across the country are still hesitant to start training 17-year-olds.
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Parents Hit a Roadblock: 'It's a Missed Opportunity'
Parents, especially those with children who are on the verge of turning 17, are left feeling frustrated by the lack of clarity and delay in driving schools' responses. One such parent, Lilli, based in Dubai, spoke exclusively to local news outlet, Khaleej Times about her experience. 'I called five institutes in Dubai, but they all turned me down,' she shared.
Lilli, whose daughter turned 17 in May 2025, was hoping to use the summer break as an ideal time for her daughter to start driving lessons.
With school out and fewer cars on the road, the summer would have been the perfect opportunity for her daughter to get comfortable behind the wheel. However, Lilli's hopes were dashed when every institute she contacted either denied her request or mentioned that lessons would not be available until her daughter was 17 and a half.
'They said that although the rule had been announced, they had not received any directive to start offering classes to 17-year-olds,' Lilli explained.
'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.
'
Lilli said most of the institutes were willing to open her daughter's file, but lessons would only begin once she turned 17 years and six months, meaning she would not be able to start until January 2026.
'I am guessing it is going to take time for the rules to actually be actioned, but it was very disappointing for us to expect something and not have it happen,' she added. 'Hopefully, the law will be enforced soon.'
Confusion at Driving Institutes: 'We Are Waiting for Official Directives'
The frustration is shared by many other parents who have reached out to driving schools across the UAE. When contacted by Khaleej Times, several driving institutes confirmed that they are aware of the new law, but are still waiting for formal guidelines from authorities on how to proceed.
A representative from Galadari Driving Institute explained that although students can open a file, they cannot start lessons until they are at least 17 and a half. 'Students can open a file with us now, but they can start learning either when they turn 17.5 years old or when the new rule is fully implemented,' the operator said. 'We do not have any information about when the rule will be rolled out.'
Similar statements were echoed by the Sharjah Driving Institute.
Another operator confirmed that although the federal rule had been announced, they had not yet received clear instructions on how to implement it. 'We know about the new federal rule, but it has not been put in place yet. We are still waiting for official information on when it will be rolled out,' the operator said.
This uncertainty has left many parents feeling stranded, unable to move forward with plans for their children's driving lessons despite the law being officially in place.
Hopes for Swift Implementation
As parents continue to await clarity, there is hope that the situation will soon be resolved. Several driving schools have promised to start offering lessons to 17-year-olds once they receive clear directives from local authorities.
In the meantime, teenagers eager to begin driving must remain patient. Many institutes are still adjusting to the new regulations, and parents are hopeful that the changes will soon be put into action.
Frustration has also spilled over onto social media, with one parent sharing, 'My son was so excited by the law change, but we keep calling and they tell us it's not in Dubai yet.' Many continue to wait, hopeful that the law will soon be fully implemented across the UAE.