If you are planning to take a driving test in the UAE, a pass mark alone may no longer get you a licence. Under new federal rules that start on January 1, 2027, a single dangerous mistake during the road test can fail you even if your score is above 75%.
The rules come from Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026, which approves the Executive Regulation of Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 on traffic. It was published in the UAE Federal Official Gazette on October 6, 2026. Tests held before January 1, 2027 are not affected.
The 75% Rule Stays
The pass mark itself is not new. The theory test is marked out of 100, and you need 75% to pass (Article 65). The practical test also needs 75% of the total evaluation marks (Article 68). The old rule from 1997 asked for 75% too.
What changes is that the new regulation says clearly that a high score does not guarantee a pass. If you create real or possible danger on the road, or the examiner has to step in by voice or by hand, you can fail the test.
Mistakes That Can Fail You
According to the regulation, as explained by a UAE lawyer to Gulf News, these mistakes can lead to an automatic fail:
- Hitting a barrier or kerb
- Losing control of the vehicle when starting
- Errors when changing gears
- Parking incorrectly
- Not following traffic rules, signs or signals
- For motorcycle tests: putting a foot on the ground while riding
What The Examiner Checks
Article 66 lists the skills tested on the road. These include starting and controlling the vehicle, reversing, driving on slopes, parallel parking, changing lanes, handling intersections and roundabouts, overtaking, and following signals and the examiner’s instructions.
If You Fail
Under Article 69, applicants who fail are given another test date. The regulation does not set one waiting period for the whole country. Each licensing authority will decide, and more details on how the rules will be applied are expected from them.
What To Do Now
- If your test is before January 1, 2027, the current procedure still applies.
- Ask your driving school whether its lessons and mock tests follow the new rules.
- Practise the skills on the list above, especially parking, roundabouts and smooth starts.
- Be careful of anyone who offers a “guaranteed pass” for money. Licences are issued only through the official licensing authority in each emirate.
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Sources: Gulf News and Curly Tales reports on Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026 (October 28, 2026).