The new state-of-the-art complex of the Belhasa Driving Center (BDC), one of the premier driving institutes in the UAE was inaugurated on Wednesday, December 21, 2005. The new facility in Dubai, which was built at a total cost of AED 42 million, is a full service center spread over an area of 600,000 square feet and includes the Wasel Vehicle Testing Center, a new service offering from the Belhasa Driving Center.
The Wasel Vehicle Testing Center being developed at a cost of AED 17 million is set to open within a month and would initially start testing vehicles using four lines. BDC has announced plans to increase the number of lines to eight in the coming months, enabling the center to test about 500 to 750 vehicles a day.
Speaking at the inaugural press conference, Saif Ahmed Belhasa, Chairman, Belhasa Driving Center, said, “Our new facility has been conceived to offer a comprehensive range of services to our trainees and other driving licence aspirants in Dubai. The center is the fruition of our strategic vision to provide customer centric services. The Wasel Vehicle Testing Center is an example of the break out of services that we are offering to our customers. With our full-fledged new complex, BDC is reiterating our commitment to impart the highest quality of instruction to our growing body of learners.”
Students of BDC will enjoy a range of facilities at the new complex, including a convenient, internal branch of Dubai Traffic Department for issuing licences, besides providing registration, insurance, typing, eye testing, training, assessment and final road testing services, all under one roof. The center also has a larger and comfortable customer service area, separate waiting rooms for ladies and men, a large cafeteria, a kids play area, and a staff gymnasium.
“Over the years, our customers’ loyalty and professionalism of our staff have seen BDC move from strength to strength. We are committed to ensure safety on UAE roads through thorough training of new road users that has resulted in the launching of our new complex. We hope this spacious facility with its excellent services will bring comfort and ease to our students,” Belhasa added.
BDC has increased its fleet of training vehicles and expanded its centers to cope with the projected increase in demand for driving licences, which industry watchers say will double by the end of 2006. At present, BDC operates a fleet of 650 training cars across the UAE, training approximately 3,000 candidates per day. BDC issues about 150 fresh licenses each day, and their efficient training services and fast-track procedures ensure that candidates are mostly issued their licenses within a period 30-40 days of commencement of the training course.
Belhasa Driving Center has been involved in various activities aimed at promoting the concept of road safety in the UAE. As part of its commitment to promote safe driving practices, BDC is organizing SAFEX 2006, the world training conference which will be held at the Dubai Police Officers’ Club from March 10 to 12, 2006, in association with IVV, the international association for driver education.
