How to Get a Heavy Bus License in Dubai: Cost, Steps & Age

The heavy bus license is one of the UAE driving license categories. Holding a UAE light vehicle license shortens your practical training, and applicants without one first learn basic vehicle control before moving to the bus.

Who can apply for a heavy bus license?

You can apply once you are 21 years old. You need a valid Emirates ID and UAE residency, and you must pass a medical fitness test, which is required for all heavy-vehicle licenses. Holding a UAE light vehicle license reduces your practical training to about 10 hours, while applicants without one train for around 20 hours.

How to get a heavy bus license step by step

The heavy bus license follows the same RTA stages as the other licenses:

1. Get an eye test and a medical fitness test, then open your RTA traffic file and learner permit.
2. Register at an RTA-approved driving school that offers heavy-vehicle training, and submit your documents.
3. Attend the theory lectures, then pass the RTA theory test.
4. Complete the practical training, about 10 hours if you already hold a UAE light vehicle license, or around 20 hours if you do not.
5. Finish the night-driving session.
6. Pass the initial assessment, then the yard test.
7. Pass the RTA road test on public roads.
8. Pay the fee when you receive the RTA SMS, then collect your heavy bus license.

What documents do you need?

Bring the following when you register:

• Original Emirates ID, or passport with a valid UAE residence visa.
• Passport-size photographs.
• An eye test report from an approved center.
• A medical fitness certificate from an RTA-approved center.
• A no-objection letter from your sponsor, if your employer requires it.

If you already hold a bus license from another country, bring the original valid or recently expired license, translated into Arabic or English, to qualify for reduced training. Special cases, such as transferring a file from another institute or a driver visa, need a few extra papers that your driving school will list for you.

How much does a heavy bus license cost in Dubai?

A heavy bus license costs about AED 5,500 to AED 7,500 if you pass each test on the first attempt. Retakes are common and can push the total to around AED 10,000. The table below shows the typical breakdown.

These prices are indicative and vary by school. Weekend and flexible-schedule packages cost more, and fixed-fee packages that include unlimited retraining are higher again, so confirm the package before you register.

How long does it take to get a heavy bus license?

Most applicants finish in about 6 to 12 weeks, though it can take longer depending on how quickly you complete the training hours and secure test slots. The license is usually issued within a week of passing the road test.

What is the difference between a light bus and heavy bus license?

The light bus license, Category 5, covers minibuses and light buses with up to 26 passengers. The heavy bus license, Category 6, covers larger buses that carry more than 26 passengers, such as public and double-decker buses. Both have a minimum age of 21 and need theory and practical tests, but the heavy bus needs more training. To drive trucks instead, you need a separate heavy truck license.

Do you have to pass a theory test?

Yes. You must pass the RTA theory test on road rules, signs, and heavy-vehicle safety before the road test. Practise free with our RTA theory test mock tests so you clear it on your first attempt.