Just Launched: Emirates Driving Company Acquires AI Firm to Automate UAE Road Tests

Emirates Driving Company (EDC), the Abu Dhabi-based driving school giant, has announced a groundbreaking acquisition of a 51% majority stake in AI technology firm Performise Labs to fully automate road tests across the UAE.

This strategic move, announced on February 20, 2026, and subject to regulatory approvals, marks the first major integration of artificial intelligence into the GCC's driver licensing process. It promises to revolutionize how new drivers are tested and certified.

Why This UAE AI Acquisition Matters

For anyone looking to get a driver's license in the UAE—especially the thousands of new residents and young drivers each year—this news is a game-changer. The current manual testing process, with its inherent human variability and scheduling delays, is set to be transformed by precision AI technology.

Performise Labs, founded in 2024, has developed the Intelligent Virtual Examiner (iVE). This AI and Internet of Things (IoT) system enables fully automated yard tests with real-time monitoring, biometric verification, and measurement accuracy down to an incredible 2 centimeters.

Khaled Al Shemeili, CEO of EDC, stated: "This acquisition represents a pivotal step in our journey toward a smarter and safer future for driver education... elevating road safety."

The technology doesn't just assess basic maneuvers. It provides objective, consistent scoring that eliminates human bias and error. For GCC drivers who face unique challenges like extreme summer heat and complex multi-lane highways, standardized testing could mean better-prepared drivers on the roads.

How AI Will Change UAE Driver Testing

Imagine showing up for your road test and being evaluated by an AI system that never gets tired, never has a bad day, and measures your parking precision to within 2 cm. That's exactly what's coming to UAE driving centers.

The iVE system uses advanced sensors and cameras to monitor every aspect of a driving test:

• Lane discipline and signaling accuracy
• Parking precision (parallel, angle, and reverse)
• Speed control and following distance
• Observation and hazard perception
• Biometric verification to prevent fraud

Enes Reda, CEO of Performise Labs, explained: "This partnership will accelerate the development of our AI-based solutions... broader smart mobility solutions."

But here's what makes this particularly relevant for the GCC context: the system is designed to scale. It's not just about testing passenger car drivers today—it's built to handle the future of autonomous vehicles, industrial zones, ports, and smart cities.

GCC Expansion: Beyond the UAE Borders

This isn't just an Abu Dhabi or UAE story. Performise Labs has already secured contracts with UAE roads and transport authorities, and the company is actively pursuing expansion into Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan.

That means drivers across the entire GCC region could soon experience AI-powered testing. The standardization potential is enormous—imagine a driving license earned in Riyadh being recognized as meeting the exact same standards as one earned in Dubai, thanks to identical AI evaluation systems.

For EDC, this acquisition supports their broader transition to becoming 'Emirates Mobility'—an integrated platform that goes beyond traditional driving schools to encompass comprehensive mobility solutions.

What This Means for New Drivers in the GCC

If you're planning to get your driver's license in 2026 or beyond, here's what you can expect:

Faster testing processes with reduced waiting times for appointments. AI systems can run continuously without breaks, potentially allowing for more tests per day.

More consistent evaluation where your score depends entirely on your driving performance, not on which examiner you get or what mood they're in.

Enhanced road safety as the AI system can identify and correct bad habits during training, not just during the final test.

Future-proof technology that will evolve to test advanced driving assistance systems and eventually autonomous vehicle operation.

The timing couldn't be better. With the GCC car market growing steadily and new vehicle technologies becoming more complex, having a standardized, tech-forward testing system ensures drivers are properly prepared for modern roads.

The Bigger Picture: UAE's Tech-Driven Mobility Future

This acquisition isn't happening in isolation. It's part of a broader trend across the UAE and GCC to leverage technology for smarter, safer transportation systems. From Dubai's autonomous transportation strategy to Abu Dhabi's smart city initiatives, the region is rapidly embracing mobility innovation.

For EDC, a company listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (symbol: DRIVE) and a subsidiary of 2PointZero Group, this move represents a significant pivot toward technology integration. It positions them not just as a driving school operator, but as a mobility technology leader.

The Intelligent Virtual Examiner system represents more than just automated testing—it's a data collection platform that can provide insights into common driving errors, road design issues, and training effectiveness across the entire region.

What's Next for AI-Powered Driving Tests

While regulatory approvals are still pending, the partnership between EDC and Performise Labs signals a clear direction for the future of driver licensing in the GCC. The companies will work to integrate the iVE system across EDC's existing infrastructure while pursuing new contracts with transport authorities.

Expect to see pilot programs rolling out in select locations before wider implementation. The technology will likely debut in controlled yard test environments before expanding to on-road testing scenarios.

For current driving instructors, this doesn't mean replacement—it means augmentation. AI can handle the repetitive evaluation tasks, allowing human instructors to focus on personalized coaching and complex scenario training.

The ultimate goal? A driver licensing system that's faster, fairer, and produces better-prepared drivers for GCC roads. In a region where car ownership is high and road safety is paramount, that's a win for everyone.

Source: Gulf News

Featured image shows the Intelligent Virtual Examiner (iVE) AI system in action during a driving test simulation.