Following a directive issued by the RTA, driving schools in Dubai will no longer be allowed to conduct any on-road driver training before 9am or after 5pm on weekdays. The RTA initiative is aimed at reducing traffic congestion during rush hour and is another step in their continuing efforts to improve traffic congestion in Dubai.
“It is a well considered move. We welcome the RTA’s initiative to restrict on-road training during rush hours,” said Mr Amer Ahmad Belhasa, managing director, Emirates Driving Institute (EDI). “Dubai’s road system is being taxed to the limit by the sheer volume of vehicular traffic. Taking training vehicles off the road during rush hour could help ease the pressure.”
According to the new rule, driving schools will only be allowed to operate on public roads from 9am to 2pm and from 3pm to 5pm, effectively restricting them to just 7 working hours a day. The reduced hours will inconvenience driving schools and students equally.
“The reduced timings will force us to reschedule our training sessions,” admitted Belhasa. “Unfortunately, fewer working hours will mean some students have to wait a bit longer before commencing on-road training.” EDI plans to compensate by increasing training in its enclosed compound in Al Qusais and making use of the advanced driver training simulators they introduced last month.
“We will all have to face minor inconveniences in the short term, but investments in expanding the road network and the metro will benefit all of us in the long run. It is worth sacrificing a little convenience now for the good of society in general.”
About Emirates Driving Institute
EDI is one of the biggest driving institutes in the world and the winner of the Dubai Quality Award 2002 in the professional services sector. It has over 700 vehicles and has trained over 200,000 students and helped them obtain driving licenses. EDI has been a stickler for quality right from its inception in June 1991 – a fact reflected in the numerous awards and certifications that have come its way like the OHSAS 18001 certification for safety standards in 2006. EDI is the first driving institute in the world to get an ISO certification. It has received a certificate of appreciation from the Bureau Veritas Quality International and also has accreditation with the Institute of Advanced Motorists, UK. Earlier, the company won the Dubai Quality (in Professional Sector) Award and is an approved Assessment Centre for the International Association for Driver Education.
