Licensing, Vehicle Registration and Documents
Getting and keeping a licence
The minimum age for a light-vehicle licence in the UAE is 17. You begin with a learner permit, train with a licensed driving school, and must pass both a theory and a practical test. New drivers serve a probation period during which a small number of black points or a serious offence can lead to suspension - the threshold is far lower than for experienced drivers. Licence categories match the vehicle: light vehicle, heavy vehicle, motorcycle and so on. Driving outside your category is driving without a valid licence.
Residents must hold a UAE licence (certain nationalities may convert theirs). Visitors may drive on an accepted foreign licence for a limited period. Renew before expiry: validity is tied to residency, so a licence and a residence visa expire on different clocks. Keep the licence with you - a digital copy in the official app is generally accepted.
The vehicle's paperwork
Every vehicle needs valid registration (Mulkiya), valid insurance and a current technical inspection pass. Newer vehicles may be exempt from testing for their first years; after that, inspection is annual and must be completed before renewal. Fines must be settled first. Report a change of ownership promptly, and remember that a lapse in registration or insurance can void your cover entirely.
Traps
Questions suggest that insurance remains valid with an expired licence, that a friend's licence covers you, or that registration can be renewed with outstanding fines.
Rule of thumb: licence, registration, insurance, inspection - if one is out of date, the vehicle should not be on the road.