UAE Announces Comprehensive Federal Traffic Law Amendments Effective January 2027

The UAE government has announced federal traffic law amendments scheduled to come into effect on January 1, 2027. Under the updated legislation, motorists are restricted to driving a maximum of nine hours within any 24-hour window to mitigate driver fatigue. According to The National, the measure is expected to significantly affect delivery services, taxi operators, bus companies, and logistics providers.

The regulations introduce a vehicle ownership cap that restricts individuals to registering a maximum of five vehicles, with additional fees applied when registering or renewing a third, fourth, or fifth vehicle. In addition, owners of light vehicles that are new upon registration and under six years old from manufacture can apply to extend registration validity from one year to two years.

Commercial delivery riders face stricter operational safety standards. Riders are barred from carrying passengers while fulfilling deliveries and are prohibited from using backpacks to transport orders, requiring approved transport equipment instead. Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has separately outlined plans to monitor delivery riders' speed, location, and driving behaviour via cameras and smart sensors.

The legislation also sets the minimum age for e-scooter permits at 15 with a three-year permit validity, establishes technical requirements for personal mobility devices, and mandates child safety seats for passengers aged four and under. Driving licence renewal periods will now grant five-year validity for expatriate residents aged 21 and older, compared to ten-year validity for UAE and GCC citizens.