UAE Outlines 12 Grounds for Driving Licence Suspension, Cancellation, or Non-Renewal

The implementing regulations of Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 on the Regulation of Traffic establish 12 specific cases where driving licences and permits can be suspended, cancelled, or denied renewal in the UAE, Gulf News reported. The new federal regulations are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, and categorise actions based on court orders, accumulated black points, and medical fitness.

According to the report, a driving licence can be suspended in three scenarios: a court ruling ordering suspension, reaching the cumulative black points limit, or being deemed to lack the legal capacity or medical fitness to drive. Meanwhile, authorities may cancel a licence in five cases, comprising a court-ordered cancellation, accumulating maximum black points, a voluntary cancellation request by the holder, the death of the holder, or a confirmed lack of legal capacity or medical fitness.

Licensing bodies may refuse licence renewals under four specific circumstances: outstanding traffic violations on the driver's file, reaching the black points threshold, lacking legal capacity or medical fitness, or an explicit court order barring renewal.

The regulations also require UAE health authorities to coordinate directly with licensing bodies and provide data on individuals diagnosed with conditions that impair safe driving. In addition, vision standards require bus drivers and operators of heavy and light equipment to maintain visual acuity of at least 6/6 in both eyes, while drivers with sight in only one eye must achieve 6/6 in that eye. Licensing authorities are also permitted to accept foreign eye test reports for expired licence renewals.