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New rules for desert safari drivers in Dubai

Safari drivers have to obtain the desert guide permit from the Department of Tourism after applying for safari driving permits at the RTA.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) have set key stipulations for safari drivers in Dubai.

Under these, safari drivers have to obtain the desert guide permit from the Department of Tourism after applying for safari driving permits at the RTA.

Sultan Al Marzouki, Director of Licensing at the RTA Licensing Agency, said, “The DTCM has introduced a new prerequisite for obtaining the desert safari driving licence, by making it mandatory for applicants to obtain the Desert Guide Permit in the first place.

“This permit ensures that applicants have complied with the required stipulations and attended intensive sessions aimed at making them acquire the basic technical skills in dealing and communicating with tourists and providing them with the correct information about the UAE in general and Dubai in particular, in keeping with the global standing of Dubai,” added Al Marzouki.

“Each safari driver is required to submit a passport copy, an identity card, and a no objection certificate from the Department of Tourism in order to open a file and obtain the Desert Permit Driving Licence.”

Ibrahim Yaqoot, CEO of the Corporate Support Sector at the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said, “Introducing and including the Desert Guide Permit as a prerequisite is intended to raise the bar on the level of services offered by this segment to tourists in a way that fits well with the department’s drive to leverage the services provided by the sector. The programme covers several topics such as familiarising trainees with the importance of tourism and highlighting the key role they play in depicting a positive image of Dubai as a tourist destination, in addition to presenting a panoramic view of tourism in Dubai, narrating the basics of customers’ service, and how to achieve better customer satisfaction levels.”

Elaborating the key documents required by the Department of Tourism from drivers, Yaqoot said, “Drivers hired by tourist companies to be engaged in safari driving are required to submit a number of documents to the department including a no objection certificate from the sponsor, a passport copy with valid residency, a certificate of good conduct and knowledge of English language, besides completing a five-day Tour Guide course and passing the final assessment. Successful participants are awarded permits that render them eligible to obtain the safari driving permits as per the RTA requirements.”

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