RTA organizes awareness campaigns on professional permits for heavy vehicle drivers

Dubai Highways and Transportation Authority (RTA) has recently completed a series of awareness and inspection campaigns targeting truck drivers in the emirate. The campaigns were led by the Licensing Activities Department of the Licensing Agency in coordination with the Traffic Department of the Highway and Traffic Agency, and the Driver Licensing Department of the RTA Licensing Agency in collaboration with the Headquarters of Dubai Police.

The campaigns aimed to highlight the importance of possessing the required professional permits issued by the RTA based on Resolution No. (57) of 2017 issued by the Dubai Executive Council.

The campaign benefited 1,000 heavy vehicle drivers, representing a 100 percent increase compared to the 500 drivers reached in 2022. There was also a notable increase in demand for services related to the issuance of professional permits for new heavy vehicle drivers. heavy vehicles and the renewal of permits for existing drivers like Bueno. In 2023, the number of applications for new permits and permit renewals exceeded 10,000 applications compared to 4,135 applications received during the same period in 2022, representing an increase of 60 percent. These campaigns mainly focused on key areas of the emirate, including Ras Al Khor Road, Emirates Road, Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Dubai-Al Ain Road, Al Maktoum Road and Al Khail Road.

The campaign was a testament to RTAthird strategic objective (Health, Security and Surveillance). Its objective was to realize the leadership’s vision of achieving the highest levels of road safety so that all road users remain safe by verifying the eligibility of this segment of drivers and their health and fitness to drive. The process contributes to improving traffic safety, complying with traffic regulations and meeting the requirements for safe driving on the roads.

Awareness campaigns focused on explaining the steps necessary to obtain a professional permit to practice the profession, the channels available to apply for the service, and the process for challenging violations. Drivers were informed about the importance of complying with the technical requirements for the safety of heavy vehicles, in addition to the safety and security requirements for driving on roads.

Reviewing the historical data and statistics of applications for new professional permits or renewal of existing ones, it was evident that there has been an increase in both types of permits since the launch of the monitoring and inspection campaigns at the beginning of this year. This increase also reflects the rapid growth in commercial shipping activities and the economic growth experienced by the UAE in general and Dubai in particular.

The implementation of this type of campaigns is in line with RTAThe strategic plans that it has implemented throughout the year in the context of its permanent commitment to raising awareness and road safety. These campaigns educated drivers about the need to comply with technical standards and road safety requirements for truck driving, especially in summer. The campaigns contribute to RTAThe objectives of improving transport safety and making roads safer, in line with the leadership’s vision of achieving the highest levels of traffic safety and the safety of all road users.

News source: Emirates News Agency