Licensing Agency approves five new residential and industrial sectors including Jebel Ali and Al Maktoum City to match urban growth and boost private sector participation.
DUBAI: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has officially approved a major geographical expansion for licensing new driver training institutes and branches across the emirate. Announcing the decision on June 18, 2026, the authority aims to bring essential licensing services directly to rapidly developing residential and economic hubs while unlocking fresh avenues for commercial investors.
The strategic expansion targets five newly eligible zones: Wadi Al Safa, Jebel Ali, Mushrif, Al Maktoum City, and Madinat Hind. By establishing a presence in these high-growth sectors, the RTA intends to keep pace with Dubai’s unprecedented demographic shifts and urban sprawl, ensuring that newly settled communities face minimal transit hurdles when seeking driver education.
Ahmed Mahboob, CEO of the Licensing Agency at the RTA, emphasized that the decision is rooted in public convenience and safety. According to Mahboob, reducing the travel distance for driving students not only enhances the daily quality of life for residents but also aligns directly with Dubai’s broader vision of seamless, decentralized urban mobility.
Furthermore, the initiative signals a robust push toward public-private partnerships. The RTA has extended an open invitation to both accredited driving schools and prospective entrepreneurs to submit their expansion applications. To facilitate this, the licensing authority has promised a flexible regulatory approach to review submissions, ensuring compliance with traffic safety standards while lowering the barrier to entry for high-caliber private investments.
