UAE’s New Traffic Framework Takes Effect in January, Reinforcing Road Safety and Mobility Standards

Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026 introduces comprehensive regulations governing vehicle licensing, personal mobility devices and professional driving standards, taking effect on 1 January 2027.

The United Arab Emirates enters a new era of traffic governance on 1 January 2027 with the implementation of Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026, a far-reaching regulatory framework that reshapes how residents approach vehicle ownership, personal mobility and professional driving responsibilities across the nation.

The implementing regulations of Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 on the Regulation of Traffic establish a comprehensive structure governing vehicle driving and registration, personal mobility devices, and the issuance and renewal of driving licenses. At their heart lies a commitment to enhancing road safety, protecting vulnerable road users, and creating order within the country’s dynamic transport ecosystem.

Vehicle Ownership and Registration

Individual residents may now register up to two vehicles without additional fees, though the regulations permit registration of up to five vehicles per person. Any vehicles beyond the second incur an additional fee per vehicle. The framework prohibits the licensing of right-hand-drive vehicles for road use, permitting them solely for exhibition purposes, thereby establishing uniformity in driving standards across the emirates.

Light vehicle owners gain flexibility through an option to extend registration validity from one year to two years, subject to approval by the relevant licensing authority. This provision applies to brand new vehicles that are no more than six years old from their date of manufacture, offering residents practical administrative benefits.

Personal Mobility Devices and Permits

The regulations introduce a classification system for personal mobility devices, identifying six categories: bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters, small-wheeled cycles, skateboards, and mobility aids designed for elderly individuals and people with disabilities. Three types of permits are issued by licensing authorities, covering electric bicycles, electric scooters, and small-wheeled cycles.

These devices may only be used on routes and roads designated by the licensing authority or the relevant traffic control authority in each emirate. Applicants must be at least 15 years old to obtain a permit, which remains valid for three years. Technical standards are specified to ensure safe operation, including front lights for nighttime visibility, rear position lights with red brake lights, and audible warning devices fitted to handlebars. Each device must have at least one brake on the rear wheel, properly maintained and securely fitted tires, and intact wheel spokes under appropriate tension.

Protecting Children and Ensuring Driver Safety

Child safety receives particular emphasis within the new framework. Drivers must provide appropriate child safety seats for children aged four and under, with seats corresponding to the child’s weight and height and installed in rear seats in compliance with applicable national standards. Medical exceptions are permitted where a child’s condition prevents protective seat use, provided an official medical certificate is submitted and an attendant accompanies the child in the rear seat. For vehicles without rear seats, a child safety seat may be installed in the front, provided it faces backward and the airbag is deactivated.

Driver fatigue receives heightened regulatory attention. Article 7 establishes a maximum driving period of nine hours within any 24-hour period, subject to adjustment by the Federal Traffic Council, prohibiting driving while fatigued or exhausted to an extent that impairs safe vehicle operation. This provision reflects the commitment to reducing accidents caused by driver exhaustion.

Professional Driver Obligations

Delivery drivers operate under specific obligations designed to standardise professional conduct and enhance public safety. These include wearing prescribed uniforms, carrying valid professional permits and presenting them when requested, and using approved systems installed in their vehicles. The regulations prohibit delivery drivers from carrying passengers behind them on motorcycles while performing delivery duties or using backpacks to transport orders; instead, drivers must use designated and approved equipment for carrying deliveries.

First aid administration is regulated to ensure that assistance provided to injured persons comes from individuals with appropriate training. Article 13 allows individuals to administer first aid to people injured in traffic accidents, provided they hold an accredited certificate confirming successful completion of a first aid training course. Where the certificate carries an expiry date, it must remain valid, and individuals providing assistance must have the physical capacity required to respond appropriately to the injured person’s condition.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

These regulations represent a significant evolution in the emirate’s approach to road safety and traffic management. By establishing clearer standards for vehicle ownership, personal mobility devices, and professional driving conduct, the framework addresses the practical challenges of managing transport across an increasingly diverse and mobile population. The restrictions on vehicle licensing and the introduction of personal mobility device permits reflect an effort to create more sustainable and orderly transport practices whilst maintaining the accessibility of personal mobility.

For Abu Dhabi residents, the regulations introduce administrative simplifications alongside enhanced protections. The two-year registration option reduces the frequency of renewal procedures, whilst the standardised requirements for child safety seats and driver fatigue limits strengthen protections for vulnerable road users and address documented causes of accidents. Professional drivers, particularly in the growing delivery sector, benefit from clear guidelines that standardise practices and reduce ambiguity in their operational requirements. As we reported in our coverage of the Federal Traffic Council’s road safety drive, such comprehensive regulatory frameworks form part of the ongoing commitment to reducing accidents across the UAE’s roads.