UAE Introduces New Traffic Regulations Effective January 2027
ABU DHABI, UAE, November 5 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The United Arab Emirates will introduce new traffic regulations from January 1, 2027, limiting the number of vehicles residents can register, setting minimum age requirements for electric scooter permits and tightening road safety standards, state news agency WAM reported.
The measures, approved under Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026, implement provisions of the Federal Traffic Law adopted in 2024 and cover vehicle registration, personal mobility devices, professional drivers and passenger safety.
Under the regulations, individual residents will be permitted to register a maximum of five vehicles. The first two can be registered without additional fees under the new provision, while each subsequent vehicle will be subject to an extra charge.
The rules also prohibit the registration of right-hand-drive vehicles for road use, although such vehicles may be licensed for exhibition purposes.
Owners of eligible light vehicles will be able to apply for registration periods of up to two years instead of the current annual renewal cycle. The extension will require approval from the relevant licensing authority and apply to vehicles registered as new and no more than six years old.
The regulations establish a licensing system for electric bicycles, electric scooters and small-wheeled motorised cycles, with applicants required to be at least 15 years old. Permits will remain valid for three years, and the devices will be restricted to designated roads and routes.
Additional technical standards require personal mobility devices to carry appropriate lighting, braking systems and audible warning equipment.
The legislation also strengthens child passenger safety requirements. Children aged four and under must travel in appropriate safety seats installed in the rear of the vehicle, with limited exceptions for medical circumstances or vehicles without rear seats.
For vehicles without rear seating, a rear-facing child seat may be installed in the front passenger position only if the airbag is deactivated.
The new rules also set a maximum driving period of nine hours within a 24-hour period, subject to adjustment by the Federal Traffic Council, and prohibit driving when fatigue or exhaustion impairs the ability to operate a vehicle safely.
Delivery drivers will face additional requirements, including carrying valid professional permits, wearing prescribed uniforms and using approved equipment to transport orders.
Motorcycle delivery riders will be prohibited from carrying passengers while working or transporting orders in backpacks.
The regulations also establish conditions for administering first aid to people injured in road accidents, requiring those providing assistance to hold accredited first aid certification and be physically capable of responding to the injured person's condition.
The measures form part of a revised federal traffic framework covering conventional vehicles, emerging mobility technologies and commercial transport operations across the UAE.
Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)
