The official age is 18.
U can get ur paperwork done when ur 17 1/2 years old. not sure about 17..u can give a try.

TO do the paperwork thing , u have to:
1.Your ID card
2.Dad's ID card
3.take both of these, go to any typing centre ..tell them u want driving license paperwork to be made..they will type one letter , ask them for eye test paper too and make photocopy of both ur 's and father's ID cards.

TO do get the paerwork job done:
get the letter signed by ur Father and go to Traffic department in Madinat Khalifa.

After the paperwork , when u go to any school they wont give admission if they dont find ur age as 18 yrs old.
if u need to get in when ur 17 1/2 yrs..u have to get a special note/sign in the offical paper from a high ranking officer.