I have just overcome a phobia I've had for more than a decade, by learning how to drive. Yes, I was convinced I would die.
Ideally, I know I should have learnt to drive when I was 18, but the more I delayed it, the scarier it became.
I belong to Kerala. Anyone who is familiar with driving there would describe the experience on the roads of God’s Own Country (as the southern Indian state is known) as an edge-of-the-seat ordeal, even as a passenger.
There is no lane discipline, drivers overtake at will no matter the threat of oncoming cars or, indeed, bumper-to-bumper traffic, not to forget jaywalking pedestrians and stray dogs, all of which make for a nerve-racking scenario played out on the roads daily.
When I moved to the UAE a year ago, the first thing that struck me as I travelled from the airport to the hotel was the high speed at which cars were moving. I soon realised, though, that the majority of motorists are following the rules.
That, coupled with having to pay for taxis to make my daily office commute, was enough encouragement for me to get behind the wheel, literally.
Before I started learning, I heard several stories about people failing the driving test numerous times and was told to expect a prolonged process. However, my experience of learning to drive in the UAE was a breeze.
Either I am a natural (don’t roll your eyes) or this process can actually be very easy if you do your research and have a little bit of patience.
Following the rules helped me pass all three stages — the theory, parking and final road test — on the first attempt.
So as a proud UAE licence-holder, here are my tips to ensure a smooth ride.
1. Procrastinate at your own risk
In Abu Dhabi, the first step is to get an eye test and open a driving licence file with Tamm. This file is valid for six months, so do it when you are absolutely sure that you will complete the process within that time frame.
Initially, I missed that detail and as a result of procrastination, had to renew my file – at extra cost – by the time I reached the practical stage.
2. Study online
Theory classes can be completed online from the comfort of your home. Call Emirates Driving Company to start your account by paying online for the course and the test. While you have to finish eight theory lessons on Abu Dhabi's Emirates Driving Company website, I also made it a point to skim through the Light Vehicle Handbook two days before the theory test. Additionally I practised with online quizzes on Dubai's Emirates Driving Institute website.
3. Take an eight-day course
I chose the 16-day beginner’s practical course, with one hour of driving a day (which I thought was the cheapest option), but in hindsight I recommend opting for the slightly more expensive eight-day course, with two hours of driving a day.
When costs added up, I ended up paying more thanks to the number of days I had to take taxis to and from the driving institute, which is located in Mussaffah. So, unless you live near there, or have someone to drop you for the classes, the best option is to finish this part of the process as quickly as possible. It will turn out cheaper in the end.
4. Get the best instructor
Once you pass your parking test, the only skill you are tested for in the automatic light vehicles category at the institute, it is time to learn on the road.
At this stage, you have to apply for the road test date. A random date is assigned (about two weeks from the application date) and a learner’s licence is couriered to you within three days.
It is now time to ask friends, colleagues and family members about their learning experience, in a bid to get the best possible instructor. I was looking for someone calm and patient, and found one on a friend’s recommendation.
As you begin to learn, the instructor will recommend the number of practice days you will need – the test date can be postponed if required – and you would be better off paying heed to this vote of confidence, or lack thereof.
5. Enjoy the ride
On the day of the test, it is best to reach the Emirates Driving School at least half an hour in advance. Five minutes before the test you will be asked to board a van and that will include five to seven other learner drivers. Don't forget your Emirates ID, because you'll need to swipe it at this stage.
The first student will then be asked to get into a car with the examiner.
From there, my only task was to drive the car from the car park on to the main road outside the institute. It was all over in less than five minutes, but that can vary depending on the examiner. Afterwards, I waited in the van to receive a message telling me if I had passed or failed. The message that I had passed came within minutes.
In the end, my only advice to you would be to keep calm and drive. My instructor asked me to enjoy the experience, and I listened.
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Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
The specs: 2019 GMC Yukon Denali
Price, base: Dh306,500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 621Nm @ 4,100rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.9L / 100km
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
SPECS
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
