Scoring 75 per cent in a UAE driving test may not guarantee a licence under new federal traffic regulations taking effect on January 1, 2027. Learner drivers can still fail their practical test if they make dangerous mistakes or require examiner intervention, even after achieving the minimum passing score.
The requirements are outlined in Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026, published in the UAE Federal Official Gazette on October 6, 2026, under the Executive Regulation of Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 on the Regulation of Traffic.
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Under Article 68, candidates must score at least 75 per cent in the practical test. However, hitting barriers, losing control while starting, making gear-changing errors, incorrect parking, violating traffic signs or signals, and allowing a motorcycle’s foot to touch the ground while riding can lead to failure, regardless of the overall score.
The regulations also specify the skills assessed during the practical test under Article 66. These include vehicle control, driving forwards and backwards on slopes, gear changes, safe and emergency stops, parallel parking, lane changes, turning, signalling, navigating intersections and roundabouts, overtaking, maintaining safe distances, using mirrors and parking brakes, and following road markings and examiner instructions. Licensing authorities may introduce additional assessment criteria.
Under Article 65, the theory test is marked out of 100, with a minimum score of 75 per cent required to pass. Candidates who pass the theory test proceed to the practical assessment according to the licensing authority’s approved testing plan.
Article 69 states that applicants who fail the practical test will be scheduled for another assessment. However, the regulation does not prescribe a uniform waiting period, leaving retesting arrangements to the relevant licensing authority.
While the previous regulations also required a 75 per cent passing score and recognised certain dangerous mistakes as grounds for automatic failure, the new rules explicitly clarify that a high score cannot compensate for unsafe driving.
The regulations have been issued but will come into effect on January 1, 2027. Further details on the implementation of the assessment criteria and testing procedures are expected from the relevant licensing authorities.
