The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai now allows automatic transmission driver license holders to switch to a manual transmission license for light vehicles. The license switching service will initiate this October with a new test focusing on the applicant’s gear handling abilities.
Previously, it was illegal for automatic transmission license holders to drive manual transmission vehicles, and they were not allowed to switch to manual. Applicants do not have to take any new classes for this test. The license switching service will focus on gear handling alone. The cost of the test has not been announced yet.
Jamal Al Sada, director of drivers licensing at the RTA’s licensing agency said, “Dealing with manual transmission needs certain skills such as paying attention on the road while shifting gears, ability to shift gears without distraction, and coping with the smooth shifting between gears while driving.”
Failed applicants will be advised how they can improve and reappear in the test. Al Sada added: “The RTA is making every effort to meet the needs of drivers through streamlined processes as they are closely related to the safety and security of roads and users.”
Those with manual licenses don’t need to hold an automatic license because the manual license holders do not require any skills to handle automatics.