Common driving licence for GCC residents

The GCC countries agreed to a common driving licence system at a conference in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

“The UAE presented a proposal for a unified driving licence system. An agreement was reached to implement the suggestion of having a common driving licence for vehicles, including motorcycles, construction vehicles and private cars,” Gaith Al Za'abi, director-general of traffic coordination at the Ministry of Interior, has been quoted by UAE daily Gulf News this morning.

The three-day conference of directors of the GCC countries’ traffic departments is being held to address common challenges, policies and procedures related to traffic issues.

“Further discussions will address other types of vehicles, including age and other relevant issues,” Al Za'abi added.

The conference will also talk about the possibility of implementing a suggestion made by Oman for a unified form for driving licences containing sufficient background and security information to minimise fraud, the daily reported. “The agreed to procedures will be sent to the ministries of interior for a final approval,” he said.

The UAE also presented a proposal for an electronic service or an e-gate that links traffic data across the GCC countries.

“Some 70 per cent of the traffic exchange data among the GCC countries is related to fines. The e-gate will make this data exchange easier and accessible to the public. GCC residents can check online and pay traffic fines committed in any other country,” Al Za'abi said.