UAE Outlines Eight New Traffic Guidelines Ahead of January 2027 Effective Date

Retired Brigadier Ahmed Al-Sam Al-Naqbi, former head of the Traffic Awareness and Safety Team at the Federal Traffic Council in the Ministry of Interior, highlighted eight key guidelines under the new executive regulations for the UAE Traffic Law, which will take effect on January 1, 2027, Emirates 24|7 reported.

The regulatory updates cover vehicle licensing, licence renewals for eligible vehicles, personal transport devices such as bicycles and electric scooters, technical safety requirements, child protection inside vehicles, driving while fatigued, safety requirements for delivery drivers, and first aid for individuals injured in traffic accidents.

Among the central provisions is a prohibition against driving when fatigue or exhaustion impairs a motorist's ability to operate a vehicle safely, alongside a maximum cap of nine hours of driving within any 24-hour window. This duration remains subject to potential amendments by decision of the Federal Traffic Council. Al-Naqbi noted that driving hour limits are particularly significant for commercial truck drivers due to long-haul freight operations.

The regulations also introduce two-year licence validity for eligible light vehicles to streamline renewals, enforce technical safety standards, mandate suitable child car seats, and permit qualified members of the public to provide roadside assistance to accident victims.