Emiratis with private driving license will be allowed to use their personal vehicles to apply as full-time or part-time Uber drivers in Abu Dhabi.
Uber Middle East regional manager Anthony Al Khoury said that Emiratis who have personal vehicles do not need commercial license to be able to apply as Uber drivers, reported Khaleej Times.
“Our whole negotiation with the ITC (Integrated Transport Centre) was for us to be able to launch in an affordable way to move around Abu Dhabi. We found the best way to do so was to open it up for the Emiratis,” said Khoury.
“We will do background check. For limousine drivers, it will be done by ITC as they need commercial license. For locals, we will send documents to ITC, which will check and get back to us. All background checks will be done by ITC,” he added.
The move is seen to provide locals with extra income and to provide residents and visitors with more transportation options.
While further details are still being finalized, Khoury said that prices of the rides will be “on par” with taxis.
The news was released following the signing of the agreement between Uber and the UAE Department of Transport which represents the return of the ride-hailing service to the Gulf state two years after its suspension of operations.