RTA Approved Eye Test in Abu Dhabi: Centers, Cost & Process
RTA-approved eye test centers in Abu Dhabi are licensed opticians where you complete the mandatory vision test for an Abu Dhabi driving license. The test checks your visual acuity, colour vision, and peripheral vision, costs about AED 100 to AED 180, takes 10 to 15 minutes, and the result is linked directly to your license file.
You need this eye test for a new license and for every renewal. In Abu Dhabi the license is issued by Abu Dhabi Police, under the Ministry of Interior, and you book and track each step on the TAMM platform. Drivers often call it the RTA eye test because RTA is Dubai's authority, but in Abu Dhabi the approved opticians answer to Abu Dhabi Police. Eye testing moved from police centers to private opticians in 2021, so today you take the test at an approved optical store.
Where can you take the eye test in Abu Dhabi?
Most approved centers are optical stores inside Abu Dhabi's malls and along its main streets, with more options on the Mussafah and Mohamed Bin Zayed City side and in Al Ain. Abu Dhabi Police lists every approved optician on the TAMM service-provider locator, which shows the nearest center on a map. The table below lists well-known approved opticians and where to find them.
| Center | Location in Abu Dhabi | Phone |
| Al Jaber Optical | Abu Dhabi Mall, Al Zahiyah | +971 55 600 2307 |
| Magrabi Optical | Abu Dhabi Mall, Al Zahiyah | +971 2 644 4403 |
| Yateem Optician | Khalifa Bin Zayed The First Street | +971 56 899 5205 |
| Vision Express | Dalma Mall, ICAD near Mussafah | +971 2 612 0767 |
| Rivoli EyeZone | Marina Mall | +971 2 681 9330 |
| Eye Test Opticals | Mohamed Bin Zayed City, near Mussafah | +971 2 883 0028 |
| Optical House | Hamdan Street, Al Danah | +971 2 627 1962 |
| Optical Centre | West Corniche Road, Al Marina | +971 2 681 8121 |
Take your driving license file reference number with you, since the optician links the result to that file. Most centers accept walk-ins, but a phone call or online booking avoids waiting. Confirm the branch is currently approved before you go, because hours and phone numbers change.
How much does the eye test cost in Abu Dhabi?
The eye test costs about AED 100 to AED 180 in 2026, depending on the center. The price difference between approved opticians is small, so choose the most convenient branch rather than the cheapest. Confirm the exact fee when you book, as each center sets its own service charge.
What documents do you need for the eye test?
Bring the following to the optician:
- Original Emirates ID.
- Your driving license file reference number from your TAMM application.
- Your current or expired driving license, if you are renewing.
- Passport copy and residency visa, for expatriate residents.
- The glasses or contact lenses you normally wear, so the result reflects your corrected vision.
You can pass the test while wearing glasses or lenses. If you do, the license is issued with a condition that you must wear them whenever you drive.
How long is the eye test valid?
The eye test report must be current when you submit your license application, so book it close to when you apply or renew. An older result can be rejected. The optician records the result against your license file, which means you do not need to carry a printed copy to the licensing step.
Is the eye test required for license renewal?
Yes. A vision test is mandatory every time you renew an Abu Dhabi driving license, not only for a first application. Eye health changes with age, so the renewal test confirms your vision still meets the standard. Our guide to Abu Dhabi driving license renewal covers the full renewal steps and fees.
Can you take an Abu Dhabi eye test in another emirate?
Approval is granted per emirate, and an Abu Dhabi license needs a result accepted by Abu Dhabi Police. The large optical chains, such as Yateem Optician, Al Jaber Optical, and Magrabi, hold approvals in more than one emirate, so a branch in Dubai may be able to record an Abu Dhabi result. Confirm with the specific branch that it can issue an Abu Dhabi result before you visit, since not every branch outside Abu Dhabi can.
Is this the same as a free eye test?
No. Many opticians advertise a free in-store vision check to sell glasses, but the driving-license eye test is a separate, paid test that is recorded against your license file. Ask for the driving license eye test by name so the optician runs the official version and uploads the result.
How is the eye test done?
The test is quick and non-invasive. An optometrist checks three things:
- Visual acuity, by reading letters on a chart at a set distance.
- Colour vision, to confirm you can tell traffic signal colours apart.
- Peripheral vision, to measure how wide your field of view is.
The whole check takes 10 to 15 minutes. Once you pass, the optician uploads the result and you can continue your license application or renewal on TAMM.
If you are applying for an Abu Dhabi driving license for the first time, you also have to pass the theory test. Practise free with our RTA theory test mock tests so you clear the exam on your first attempt.
