How to Get a Heavy Truck License in Dubai: Cost, Steps & Age
A heavy truck license in Dubai, known as Category 4, lets you drive trucks and lorries over 3.5 tonnes on UAE roads. The minimum age is 20, you train at an RTA-approved heavy-vehicle driving school, and the full process costs about AED 5,000 to AED 9,000 and takes roughly 6 to 12 weeks.
The heavy truck license is one of the UAE driving license categories. You do not have to hold a car license first, but if you already hold a UAE light vehicle license your practical training is shorter.
Who can apply for a heavy truck license?
You can apply once you are 20 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 truck license step by step
The heavy truck license follows the same RTA stages as the other licenses:
- Get an eye test and a medical fitness test, then open your RTA traffic file.
- Register at an RTA-approved driving school that offers heavy-vehicle training, and submit your documents.
- Attend the theory lectures, then pass the RTA theory test.
- Complete the practical training, about 10 hours if you already hold a UAE light vehicle license, or around 20 hours if you do not.
- Finish the night-driving session.
- Complete the trailer training, which covers coupling and maneuvering a trailer.
- Pass the yard test, then the RTA road test on public roads.
- Pay the fee when you receive the RTA SMS, then collect your heavy truck 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 heavy vehicle 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 truck license cost in Dubai?
A heavy truck license costs about AED 5,000 to AED 9,000 in total. The training package is the largest part, and the rest covers the file, tests, and license issue. The table below shows the typical breakdown.
| Item | Typical cost |
| Traffic file and registration | AED 200 to 400 |
| Eye test | AED 100 to 150 |
| Medical fitness test | AED 250 to 350 |
| Training package | AED 4,000 to 7,000 |
| Tests and license issue | AED 600 to 1,500 |
| Total | AED 5,000 to 9,000 |
These prices are indicative and vary by school. Fixed-fee packages that include unlimited retraining cost more, and extra classes add to the bill if you do not pass a test on the first attempt, so confirm the package before you register.
How long does it take to get a heavy truck 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 vehicles can you drive with a heavy truck license?
The Category 4 license covers trucks and lorries over 3.5 tonnes, and a truck with a trailer once you pass the trailer training. It does not cover buses, which need a separate heavy bus 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.
