Just as we reach the legal driving age of 18, the first thought is to drive a vehicle on the smooth roads of Dubai. But wait, have you got your driving licence? Whether you want to apply for a new licence or renew an existing one, an RTA eye test is mandatory.
That too, not at any medical centre but only at Roads and Transportation Authority (RTA) Dubai-approved centres. Scroll down to find these centres, test pricing, and more.
- Documents Required
- Fees
- Al Jaber Optical
- Emirates Driving Institute
- Barakat Optical
- Magrabi Optical
- Max Vision
- Other RTA-Approved Eye Test Centres
- RTA Mobile Testing Service
- FAQs
RTA Eye Test in Dubai
RTA Dubai is responsible for the smooth functioning of transportation networks, from public transportation to road safety. As per the UAE traffic laws, a valid driving licence is mandatory for driving within the emirate. It is illegal to drive without a licence and can result in vehicle confiscation and hefty penalties.
Documents Required
If you are applying for a driving licence in Dubai for the first time or renewing one, an electronic RTA eye test is a requirement. To undergo a medical exam, some documents are required such as:
- Emirates ID
- A passport-size photograph
- Previous driving licence (for renewal)
- Passport copy
- Residence visa (for expat residents)
- Additional documents as required
Fees
RTA has set eye test fees between AED 140 and AED 180. All authorised eye test centres charge fees in the same range.
List of RTA-Approved Eye Test Centres in Dubai
RTA has some approved eye test centres that conduct medical exams just in the appropriate way. Here is the complete list of these centres:
1. Al Jaber Optical
Founded in 1982, Al Jaber Optical is one of the most reliable RTA eye test centres in Dubai. With over 60 branches in the country, the centre has 30 branches in Dubai. From tucked away at street corners to inside top shopping malls in Dubai, easily find one branch near your location.
Locations
| Centre | Contact Number |
| Arabian Centre | +971-4-284-5051 |
| The Ranches Souk – Arabian Ranches | +971-4-324-736 |
| Aswaaq – Mizhar | +971-4-284-5054 |
| Bin Sougat | +971-4-286-1180 |
| City Centre Deira | +971-4-295-4400 |
| Dubai Marina Mall | +971-4-399-7733 |
| Dubai Outlet Mall | +971-4-425-5828 |
| Ibn Battuta Mall | +971-4-882-3750 |
| Jumeirah Town Centre | +971-4-342-9933 |
| Mall of the Emirates | +971-4-341-1322 |
| City Centre Mirdif | +971-4-284-3771 |
| Millenium Executive Tower | +971-4-331-1955 |
| The Walk – JBR | +971-4-434-2727 |
| The Outlet Village | +971-4-881-6981 |
| Nakheel Mall | +971-4-222-5254 |
| The Springs Souk | +971-4-4250668 |
| Galleria Al Barsha | +971-4-341-7898 |
| Dubai Festival City | +971-4-351-0016 |
| Dubai Festival Plaza | +971-4-222-2597 |
| Greens Centre | +971-4-363-9494 |
| DFC | +971-4-268-5018 |
| Circle Mall | +971-4-876-4330 |
| Al Khawaneej | +971-4-380-2380 |
| The Meadows Souk | +971-4-360-7466 |
| Meaisem City Centre | +971-4-565-6086 |
| The Avenue Mall – Nad Al Sheba | +971-4-266-9496 |
| Optx By Al Jaber – Deira City Centre | +971-4-250-2277 |
| Dubai Festival Plaza | +971-4-222-8208 |
| Mall of Emirates | +971-4-385-0509 |
| DAMAC Hills | +971-4-9988385 |
2. Emirates Driving Institute
Established in 1991, the Emirates Driving Institute (EDI) is a prestigious driving school in Dubai. RTA has acknowledged EDI as the best driving school in 2012.
As part of its driving licence course, it offers three in-house eye examination centres. All these centres are RTA-approved and expert optometrists conduct eye tests.
Locations
| Centre | Contact Number | Opening Hours |
| Al Qusais | +971-4-263-1100 | Sunday to Thursday: 8:15 am to 11:00 pm Friday: 7:15 am to 11:30 am and 02:00 pm to 04:00 pm |
| Al Quoz Industrial Area 3 | ||
| Port Rashid |
3. Barakat Optical
The first centre of Barakat Optical was established in 2001 in the UAE. As part of the Al Barakat Group in Riyadh, it has qualified and professional staff to ensure that you have a comfortable examination. In 2011, RTA approved it as a recognised centre for eye tests.
Locations
| Centre | Contact Number |
| Al Barsha South | +971-4-2636712 |
| Dubai Festival City | +971-4-2325650 |
| Dubai Silicon Oasis | +971-4-3268111 |
| Dubai Outlet Mall | +971-4-4259816 |
| Jumeirah Plaza | +971-4-3499945 |
| Jumeirah Park Pavilion | +971-4-5531416 |
| Madina Mall | +971-4-2568322 |
| Uptown Mirdif | +971-4-2888430 |
4. Magrabi Optical
Established in 1927, Magrabi Optical is one of the first RTA-approved centres known for its quick service. It has 10 branches in Dubai and multiple branches in other Emirates. Get your RTA eye test done in under 20 minutes here.
Locations
| Centre | Contact Number |
| Springs Souk Mall | +971-56-408-5260 |
| Mirdif City Centre | +971-56-408-4490 |
| Dubai Marina Mall | +971-56-408-4332 |
| Mall of Emirates | +971-56-408-5301 |
| Jumeirah Village Mall | +971-56-408-5047 |
| Ibn Battuta Mall | +971-56-408-5007 |
| Dubai Hills Mall | +971-50-263-5708 |
| Dubai Festival City Mall | +971-56-408-4468 |
| Dubai Mall | +971-56-408-4779 |
| Arabian Centre Mall | +971-56-408-4569 |
5. Max Vision
Another RTA-approved eye testing centre in Dubai is Max Vision. Founded in 2012, it is a newly added eye test facility in the RTA centres list. The skilled optometrists here conduct eye tests carefully and submit electronic results as guided by RTA.
Locations
| Centre | Contact Number |
| International City | +971-4-456-4586 |
| Al Karama | +971-4-886-8718 |
| Jumeirah Village Triangle | +971-4-575-4863 |
| Arjan | +971-4554-4208 |
| Al Qusais | +971-4-222-2531 |
Other RTA-Approved Eye Test Centres
Apart from the above-mentioned ones, there are several other RTA-approved centres spread across the city. Here are the other centres that you can consider:
- Grand Optics
- Yateem Opticians
- Vasan Eye & Multispecialty
- Ace Optical
- Rivoli Eyezone
- Dubai Optical
- Salik Optical
- Leen Optics
RTA Mobile Testing Service
Al Jaber Optical in collaboration with RTA Dubai has announced a reliable mobile eye testing service. This is for all busy people or those who don’t prefer commuting to a test centre. These tests take place in mobile vehicles at the customer’s convenience.
Simply book the service by contacting any Al Jaber Optical Centre and paying additional fees. A vehicle with an experienced optometrist and all machines will arrive at your designated place. After test completion, the optometrist will submit the report to RTA electronically.
FAQs
Some top-rated RTA-approved eye test centres include Al Jaber Optical, Emirates Driving Institute and Barakat Opticals.
The fee for the RTA test varies between AED 140 to AED 180 depending on the test centre.
The eye test report is generally valid for three years in Dubai. This means if you apply for renewal within three years, the same test can be used.
That was all about RTA-approved eye test centres in Dubai to get an eye check-up done. Clearing an eye test is mandatory for driving licence issuance so get it done beforehand.
In the end, driving in the emirate requires you to follow some traffic laws. Breaching these laws may impose vehicle impoundment and traffic fines in Dubai.
