Professional drivers allowed to apply for permits online

Women attendants in school buses can also use service that requires companies to register

Taxi drivers, limousine chauffeurs and school bus drivers can now apply for professional driver permits online, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said yesterday.

Women attendants in school buses can also apply for permits through the online system.

Abdullah Yousuf Al Ali, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency, said that the service is available at www.rta.ae and can be accessed by registering as a company.

“This system assists the RTA, franchise companies, limo companies and school transport companies to accomplish the automation of the issuance of permits right from the date of driver’s appointment. It also sets the base for unified data across the emirate, supports decision makers, and enhances the performance of these companies based on the new concepts at world-class standards,” he said

Al Ali added that last year, the Public Transport Agency automated the permit system by reducing the documentary evidence required.

“The system allows the issuance and printing of permits after verifying the validity of the driver’s licence and identity card and ensuring that no offences are reported in the traffic file of the driver and no circular is issued with respect to the driver from the competent parties in the UAE,” he said.

Annual medical fitness test

Renewal of professional drivers’ permits can be done only after the driver passes an annual medical fitness test at RTAapproved hospitals and centres.

Last year, RTA issued 26,752 permits — 8,304 new permits, 18,128 renewals and 323 permits as replacements for lost ones.