Demand for driving licences bucked the economic trend in the first six months of this year, with a 15 per cent increase in the number issued by the licensing agency at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

The agency issued 92,884 new licences to Dubai drivers between January and June, compared with 80,742 in the same period last year.

“The economic crisis has done nothing to deter driving licence applicants,” said Ali al Jasim, director of the agency’s Drivers Licensing Department. The heavy bus category saw the biggest increase, with 3,765 licences issued, a 195 per cent rise over last year.

Other big increases were in licences for motorcycles (85 per cent, to 1,890), heavy vehicles (75 per cent, to 8,485) and heavy mechanical equipment (64 per cent, to 4,194).

The pass rate for the driving test also increased, from 16 to 27 per cent.

Mr al Jasim attributed the increase to a greater number of examiners and a longer test. Driving examiners were also sent on workshops on how to deal with applicants. “Excellent performers among examiners have been honoured through certificates of appreciation and financial rewards,” Mr al Jasim added.

The RTA also split the examiners’ working hours to give them breaks between tests, and reduced the number of exams they conduct every hour. “This mechanism has contributed to reducing the psychological and physical pressure sustained by examiners,” said Mr al Jasim, adding that candidates benefited from having more accurately scheduled tests.

The RTA licensing department plans to introduce online booking for driving tests, which it expects to be place by the end of the year.