RTA issues new rules for professional driving licences

Drivers of trucks, taxies and buses will have to go through strict health checks before getting licences.

Medical facilities those are authorised to issue fitness certificates to the drivers of trucks, buses and taxies will have to enter the details of applicants' health status on the e-system for issuing driving licences.
According to new conditions announced by the licensing agency at Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the health details should be uploaded while the applicants undergo the medical fitness tests.
The move is to achieve the highest level of safety on the roads and reduce the accidents occur due to the health condition of the drivers.
"Making it mandatory for the medical facilities to enter the period and kind of treatment received by drivers is important," said Jamal Al Sada, director of Drivers Licensing Department at the RTA's licensing agency.
"Medical tests are conducted at a number of hospitals and clinics, which are selected by the authority after strict scrutiny," he said, noting that various factors are considered while issuing permit for these institutions. The names of the authorised hospitals and clinics are posted on the authority's website.
"The medical tests include blood sugar level, blood pressure and other tests including eye-sight.
"Almost 114,000 drivers in the emirate have been tested since the fourth quarter of 2013 until mid-2016, and resulted in the suspension of more than 1,400 driving licences," he said, adding that information about the medical prescription issued to the drivers available on unified electronic system will help the authority ensure safety of road users.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com