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28 March 2024

Annual fitness test mandatory for drivers from 2012

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By Staff

Public bus drivers, taxi drivers as well as school bus drivers, who will have to pass compulsory medical fitness tests to get a permit to work as professional drivers from next year.

Move is part of Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) effort to improve road safety as well as reduce health-related accidents on the roads, reports Khaleej Times.

“The Public Transport Agency (PTA) issues working permits for professional drivers following a training and education programme. The permit is issued to those who already have obtained driving licence from the RTA’s Licensing Agency. The annual renewal of this permit would be subject to passing the health test once the system starts working from early next year,” Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of the Licensing Agency was quoted by the daily.

Currently work is under progress to finalise the fee and other details. The licensing agency is working with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to e-link the systems of the RTA and the DHA, which will enable doctors to notify online whether a driver has passed or failed a health test.