How It Works in the UAE
The knowledge test is taken after the 8 mandatory theory lectures. It is a computer-based test of 35 multiple-choice questions in about 30 minutes, with questions drawn at random from a large official question bank; some include pictures of signs, junctions or traffic situations. The pass mark is reported as 23–24 correct answers (about 65–70%) and there is no negative marking. The test is available in more than ten languages (including English, Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, Malayalam, Bengali, Tamil, Tagalog, Chinese, Russian and Persian), with an oral option for applicants who cannot read. The official question bank is not published, so the practice questions below are written by our editorial team in the same style and are based on UAE traffic rules and the Dubai fine schedule. Learn the reasons, not the answer letters.
Key Facts at a Glance
What you need to know before you start:
- Format: 35 multiple-choice questions, about 30 minutes, touchscreen, random from an official bank.
- Pass mark reported as 23–24 correct (65–70%); aim for 85%+ in practice before booking.
- Fee about AED 200 per attempt; no fixed limit on attempts.
- Topics: traffic law and right of way, road signs and markings, safe driving, bad weather (rain, fog, sandstorms), vehicle checks, hazard perception, emergencies, fines and black points.
- Most common reasons to fail: missing words like "not", "except" or "always"; confusing similar signs; applying home-country rules at roundabouts.
- Bring your original Emirates ID; phones and bags are not allowed in the test room.
Step-by-Step Plan
Tick off each step as you complete it:
Days 1–3: Signs first
Learn the three families of signs: red circles (orders and prohibitions), red triangles (warnings) and blue or green rectangles (information and directions). Make flashcards for the pairs people confuse: No Entry vs No Vehicles, No Overtaking vs End of No Overtaking, Give Way vs STOP.
Days 4–6: Right of way and roundabouts
UAE traffic drives on the right and goes anticlockwise around roundabouts. Learn who gives way at roundabouts, unmarked junctions, pedestrian crossings and when emergency vehicles approach.
Days 7–8: Fines, black points and penalties
Learn the big ones: red light, phone use, seatbelts, child seats, tailgating, emergency vehicles, yellow box, hard shoulder, pedestrians, and the 24 black points limit.
Days 9–10: Weather, emergencies and vehicle checks
Fog, rain, sandstorms, tyre blowouts, brake failure, overheating, skidding and what to do after a minor accident.
Days 11–14: Full mock tests
Do 10–15 full timed mock tests (35 questions in 30 minutes). Review every wrong answer and write down why. Book the real test when you score 85% or more three times in a row.
Test day
Arrive 15–20 minutes early with your Emirates ID. Read each question twice, watch for "NOT" and "EXCEPT", skip and come back to hard questions, and do not spend more than about a minute on any single question.
Practice Questions
Pick an answer to see the correct one and why. Aim for 85% or more before booking the real test.
- Q1Roundabouts
You are approaching a roundabout in the UAE. Who has priority?
- Q2Fines
What is the penalty in Dubai for jumping a red light with a light vehicle?
- Q3Fines
What is the penalty for holding and using a mobile phone while driving?
- Q4Black points
How many black points lead to suspension of your driving licence?
- Q5Emergency vehicles
An ambulance with its siren and lights on is coming up behind you. What should you do?
- Q6Seatbelts
Who must wear a seatbelt in a moving car?
- Q7Children
Which rule about children in cars is correct in the UAE?
- Q8Following distance
What is the minimum safe following distance in good conditions?
- Q9Junctions
You may enter a yellow box junction only when...
- Q10Hard shoulder
When may you use the hard shoulder on a highway?
- Q11Pedestrians
A pedestrian is waiting to cross at a zebra crossing. What must you do?
- Q12Lane discipline
On a multi-lane highway in the UAE, which lane is for overtaking?
- Q13Lane change
What is the correct order before changing lanes?
- Q14Signs
What does a red circle with a white horizontal bar mean?
- Q15Signs
What does a red octagonal (8-sided) sign mean?
- Q16Signs
What does an upside-down red-bordered triangle mean?
- Q17Traffic lights
A traffic light is flashing amber. What should you do?
- Q18Bad weather
You are driving in thick fog. What is correct?
- Q19Bad weather
During a sandstorm with very poor visibility, the safest action is to...
- Q20Emergencies
A front tyre bursts at high speed. What should you do?
- Q21Emergencies
Your car starts to aquaplane on a flooded road. What is correct?
- Q22Vehicle checks
The engine temperature warning light comes on and steam rises from the bonnet. What should you do?
- Q23Accidents
You have a minor accident with no injuries and the cars can still move. What should you do?
- Q24Alcohol
What is the legal blood alcohol limit for drivers in the UAE?
- Q25Fatigue
You feel sleepy on a long highway drive at night. What is the safest action?
Costly Mistakes to Avoid
The mistakes that cost learners the most money and time:
Memorising answer letters instead of rules
Fail + AED 200Questions are drawn at random and options can be shuffled. "Dumps" of past questions found online are often outdated or wrong. Understand why each answer is correct.
Using home-country rules
Lost pointsRoundabout priority, lane use on multi-lane highways, zero alcohol tolerance and the UAE fine schedule differ from many countries. Answer by UAE rules only.
Skipping vehicle and emergency questions
Lost pointsTyre pressure, overheating, warning lights, blowouts and brake failure are a regular part of the test. They are easy points if you have read the lecture notes.
Practical Tips
Small things that make the process faster and cheaper:
- Take the test in the language you think inIf English is your second language, consider taking the test in your first language. Misreading a single word like "except" costs points.
- Use the institute e-learning portalMost institutes give you access to official-style practice tests after registration. They are closer to the real format than random apps.
- Theory helps the road test tooRoundabouts, yellow boxes, give-way lines and pedestrian crossings are also the most common reasons for failing the road test. Learning them properly now saves money later.
Buying Your First Car After the Test?
Before you pay for a used car, have it checked. Compare pre-purchase inspection quotes from trade-licensed workshops across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah with zero customer platform fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Official Sources
Always confirm current fees and rules with the authority before you pay:
- Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), DubaiDriving licences, tests, fees, vehicle registration and the RTA Dubai app.
- UAE Government portal: Getting a driving licenceFederal overview of eligibility, documents, validity and licence exchange.
- Dubai PoliceTraffic fines, black points and accident reporting in Dubai.
- Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), Abu DhabiAbu Dhabi transport authority overseeing driver training and licensing.
- Sharjah Driving Institute (SDI)Car driving courses, classes and registration in Sharjah.
Sources & accuracy. Practice questions are written by the Findgarag.es editorial team in the style of the knowledge test and are not the official RTA question bank. Fine amounts follow the published Dubai traffic fine schedule and may differ in other emirates or change over time. Compiled by the Findgarag.es editorial team from public information (RTA, Dubai Media Office, WAM, UAE newspapers and published driving school price lists) as of November 2026. Fees are indicative ranges, school packages change often and the authorities can update rules at any time. Confirm current fees and requirements with RTA (rta.ae, RTA Dubai app, 800 9090) in Dubai, ITC / TAMM in Abu Dhabi or Sharjah Driving Institute in Sharjah before you pay. Findgarag.es is not a driving school and is not affiliated with any traffic authority or driving institute.
