If your car breaks down!

My son Adlil was driving to an exhibition at the World Trade Center when he noticed smoke coming out from the bonnet of the lemon green Beettle. He did the right thing - stopping at a safe spot without blocking the traffic.

Then he did another right thing - he walked to the nearby hotel to buy three bottles of mineral water - to top up the radiator. The water boiled over in an instant due to the heat of the engine. Before he could count to ten, the water dissappeared! It was then that he realized the radiator leaked!

Driving through a traffic crawl of Dubai with an empty radiator is suicidal for any car engine. So, when he called me for advice of what to do - I told him to drive the car to the hotel and wait.

Having reliable friends around is a must have in every one's survival kit! I was lucky - KP was on hand to offer help. I called Nazrah who had recent experience of having her car towed for towing company contact number. KP called Hasnol for the contact number of a workshop which has been repairing cars for Malaysians over the last few years. Put all of these together, we had a solution to Adlil's predicament.

Within half an hour of making a call to the workshop, a tow truck arrived where Adlil was waiting. KP and I arrived at the same time. After some negotiation and reminder that we are one of his loyal Malaysian customers - we were charged Aed120 for the tow service from Exchange 2 of Sheikh Zayed Road to the workshop in Rashidiyah. Very reasonable indeed - and for his reliability and fast responce, I am publishing his call card in this blog! Hopefully, it will be useful to other Malaysians in need.

At this moment I am not yet able to comment on the quality of their worksmanship. When the car has been repaired, I will make a better assessment and will be able to recommend more confidently.

If your car breaksdown.......

1. Stop at the nearest safe spot, which does not obstruct traffic or cause hazard.

2. Call for help. Having a reliable friend or a reliable service provider is of great help.

3. Stay calm! Only calm head can think properly...

4. Always have a reliable tow truck service provider's number in your mobile. The one we called was recommended by the workshop and I found as reliable and arrived on time within half an hour. It can be reached at 050 - 8713435 ( speak to Sameer ).

5. For pricing, it is better to let the workshop negotiate with the tow truck on your behalf. We did that. The workshop did well to negotiate it down from Aed180 to Aed120.

6. The workshop can be reached through Mr. Nasier at 050-6587348. Many Malaysians have used their services.

Driving in UAE - Getting a License!!

Have you passed the test? If you have, oh what a joy....you have every right to feel elated!

Here is an account of a survivor!

"U r lucky u only had to try 3 times, I tried since Aug 2007 & after the 6th test baru pass. Yg sakit hatinya 1st test examiner tu kata "U drive very well" tapi dia bagi fail sebab last2 during the test dia suruh 60 degree parking n the car, even though dalam kotak parking was not centre enuff!!!! 4th test examiner kata "Causing hazard" sebab bila ONCE right turn position kereta not in the centre of the lane!!! (walaupun still dalam lane)... 5th test examiner kata "Causing hazard" sebab man standing by the road size & I didn't honk!!!!! U want to reason with this people also very hard & most of the time I got examiner yg English dia tak fasih....... ......... ...

Well after much sakit hati & trials & tribulations, Alhamdulillah I finally passed last Thursday. And I am equally elated.. True, memang tak terkata seronoknya bila dia kata pass!!!!!!!! ! Memang bersyukur sesangat.... ."

( sourced from here)

Taking a Driving License in Dubai (for a Malaysian)
Even if you have a valid license in Malaysia - you must start from step 1 all the way until you are tested and pass! It may take 5 months!

Steps
1. Get an eye test done either at an optician or at your driving school.
2. The school will handle all paper-work with RTA who may even have a counter at the school.
3. Receive your temporary driving licence, which you must carry in your training car.
4. Once you have passed all internal tests like garage and parking, your school will apply for your signal test followed by your road test.


Signal Test
On the date assigned, go with your passport, driving file+ 2 photos to RTA License Section as advised by your driving school. Fill up application form & submit AED 35. When your name is called out, go to the computer booth and identify the traffic signals. (In case you are not computer literate, you can opt for the manual test). Collect the pass print-out with your road test date (if you fail, pay the test-fee & you will be given another new test time and date) and submit to your driving school.


Road Test
On the date assigned, go with your passport, driving file+ 2 photos to the RTA License Section as advised by your driving school. Fill up application form & submit AED 35 for road test. When your name is called out, go along with the other three candidates and the RTA inspector to the designated car. You will be given just a few minutes to demonstrate your driving and anticipatory skills.


If you pass ( and it is a BIG IF), collect the approval paper from your inspector and go to the Pass Counter. Submit along with suitable ID & AED 100. Collect your test file and submit to Control Counter. After processing, pay required fee and proceed to photo area. When your name is called out, have your photo taken. Congratulations. In a few minutes, you will receive your DL and be eligible to drive in Dubai and the UAE.
Do keep in mind that Dubai has a zero-tolerance policy on drinking and driving. Plainclothesmen travel about in unmarked vehicles and can legally stop you at any time to check. Dubai eGovernment recommends that you buckle up your seatbelt and drive safely at all times.


Authorized Driving Schools
Al Ahli Driving School-04-3411500 (8 branches)
Belhasa Driving School - 04-3243535 (18 branches)
Dubai Driving Centre- 04-3455855 (13 branches)
Emirates Driving Institute-04-2631100 (35 branches)
Galadari Driving School-04-2676166 (8 branches)


The countries from which citizens can transfer are given below:
Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.


If you are a Malaysian who has lived in anyone of the above countries, you still need to take lessons and test because you are not a citizen of the country. It is not which country's licence that counts, it is your passport that counts.


And, it is normal for anyone to FAIL at least twice! And if you are lucky from the day you register for a lesson until the day you will get a license - it may take 5 months and AED3 to 5k.
Good luck is all I can say.


Renew your car registration in Dubai
Last updated: March 2008
CriteriaYou need to renew your car registration once every year. If you have purchased a new vehicle, the dealer will handle all formalities for the first year. From the second year onwards, you will have to renew your car registration.
Documents Required:
1. Insurance policy
2. Old registration card
3. “Passed” car test certificate


Procedure:
1. Settle the payment of fines (if found); you can check and pay any fine at the Dubai Police website.
2. Go to Dubai Traffic Department or to ( Tasjeel Eppco, Emarat Shamil or Belhasa's Wasel to have the car tested
3. Pay the fees
4. Wait for your registration card (valid for one year)
5. Take a sticker with the new registration expiry date and place it over the old one (on the rear number plate)


Fees• Car test Dhs 50• Registration Dhs 370


Dubai.ae tips:• New vehicles are exempted from test for 2 consecutive years.• If you have been involved in an accident in another emirate and got a ticket, you have to pay the fine at that emirate.• Some companies will do all procedures for an additional fee, including collecting and returning the vehicle to you. You can also check with your insurance company, since many have introduced a free/paid service.
EPPCO Tasjeel 800 4258Shamil 8004559Wasel Car Testing 043245524
For more information, visit RTA website. Or call RTA's toll free number on 8009090.


Related Topics
Driving license in Dubai
Foreign driving license conversion for Dubai roads
Used car registration in Dubai
Moving around in Dubai