UAE Driving License Categories: Full List, Codes & Ages
UAE driving license categories classify each license by the vehicle it lets you drive, from a motorcycle to a heavy bus. Each category sets its own minimum age, training course, and road test, so the category you need depends on the vehicle you plan to drive.
The categories apply across all seven emirates and are issued by the licensing authority in each emirate, such as the RTA in Dubai. Under the new federal traffic law that took effect on 29 March 2025, the minimum age for a light vehicle license dropped from 18 to 17, and the categories are aligned with the international letter codes A, B, C and onward.
What are the UAE driving license categories?
The table below lists the main categories, the vehicles each one covers, and the minimum age to apply.
| License | Common category | Vehicles you can drive | Minimum age |
| Motorcycle | Category 1, code A | Two and three wheeled motorcycles | 17 |
| Light vehicle | Category 3, code B | Cars, SUVs, pickups and vans up to 3.5 tonnes | 17 |
| Heavy truck | Category 4, code C | Trucks and lorries over 3.5 tonnes | 20 |
| Light bus | Category 5 | Minibuses and light buses | 21 |
| Heavy bus | Category 6 | Large and double-decker buses | 21 |
| Light forklift | Category 7 | Light forklifts and industrial equipment | 20 |
| Heavy forklift | Category 8 | Heavy forklifts and heavy machinery | 21 |
The vehicle type is what matters most. A license shows the vehicles you may drive by code, and the numbering can vary slightly between sources because the 2025 law aligned the older category numbers with the international letter system. Check the permitted vehicles section of your own license, or confirm with your emirate's licensing authority, for the exact code.
Motorcycle license (Category 1)
The motorcycle license lets you ride a two or three wheeled motorcycle, and the minimum age is 17. You complete an eye test and a medical check at an approved center, then pass the motorcycle training course and road test at an accredited driving school. Read our guide on how to get a motorcycle license for the full steps.
Light vehicle license (Category 3)
The light vehicle license is the most common license in the UAE. It covers private cars, SUVs, pickups, and vans up to 3.5 tonnes. Since 29 March 2025 you can apply from age 17, lowered from 18. You pass the theory test, complete practical training, and pass the road test to qualify. Drivers under 18 hold a provisional license with night-driving limits.
Heavy truck license (Category 4)
The heavy truck license covers trucks and lorries over 3.5 tonnes, with a minimum age of 20. You complete the heavy truck training course, pass the eye test and medical check, and pass the road test. See our guide on how to get a heavy truck driving license for the requirements.
Light bus license (Category 5)
The light bus license lets you drive minibuses and light buses, with a minimum age of 21. It is common for school transport and staff transport drivers, and it requires both a written and a practical test.
Heavy bus license (Category 6)
The heavy bus license covers large and double-decker buses used in public transport, with a minimum age of 21. It needs more training and driving experience than the lighter categories. Read our guide on how to get a heavy bus driving license for the full process.
Forklift license (Category 7 and 8)
Forklift licenses cover industrial equipment used in warehouses, ports, and factories. The light forklift license, Category 7, has a minimum age of 20, while the heavy forklift license, Category 8, covers larger machinery and has a minimum age of 21. Both need a theory and a practical test.
What changed under the 2025 UAE traffic law?
Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 took effect on 29 March 2025 and changed how new drivers qualify:
- The minimum age for a light vehicle license dropped from 18 to 17.
- Drivers under 18 hold a provisional license and cannot drive between 10 PM and 6 AM.
- Categories are aligned with the international letter codes, so a license may show a letter such as A or B alongside the category.
All applicants still pass a medical and eye test, the theory test, practical training, and the road test before the license is issued.
How do you get a license in any category?
The process is similar across categories. You open a traffic file, pass the eye test and medical check, clear the theory test, complete the required training hours, and pass the road test. Our guide on how to get a UAE driving license covers each step in detail.
Every category requires you to pass the theory test first. Practise free with our RTA theory test mock tests so you clear the exam on your first attempt.
