Driver licence examinees in Dubai will soon get instant translators from across the world in 198 languages.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed an agreement with Kreative Company Events to provide remote instant interpretation of driving theoretical tests to the licence applicants in a language of their choice.

The step is part of RTA’s endeavours to enrich the Smart City initiative and realise its third strategic goal – People’s Happiness.

Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA’s licensing agency, said: “The company would source a translator from any place in the world to interact with the examinee through Skype at the testing centres to translate questions of online theory test in the languages spoken by examinees.

Explaining the mechanism of the new system, Bahrozyan added: “The examinees have to submit an application for appointing an interpreter in the preferred language seven days before the test appointment and pay the applicable fees. The company would be communicated about the type of the intended language.

“To ensure that translators are neutral and do not overstep their assignments, the company has provided a recording system connected to a smart monitoring centre within the RTA to ensure the governance and and transparency pursued by the RTA during the testing of applicant drivers.”

Arif Al Malek, director of drivers training and qualification at RTA’s licensing agency, said: ” The RTA’s efforts to translate this massive number of languages spoken by examinees stems from its knowledge of the extensive multi-nationalities living in Dubai, the urbanisation drive witnessed by the emirate, and residents’ perception of the need of obtaining driver licences.”