UAE to limit driving to nine hours in 24-hour period under new traffic rules
Dubai: Motorists in the UAE will be prohibited from driving for more than nine hours within any 24-hour period under new federal traffic regulations taking effect on January 1, 2027. The restriction is among several road safety requirements introduced under Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026, which sets out the executive regulations of Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 on traffic regulation. Get…
The United Arab Emirates will impose a rule limiting drivers to a maximum of nine hours behind the wheel within a 24-hour period starting from January 1, 2027. This restriction, along with other traffic safety measures, is outlined in Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026. The regulation is part of the broader traffic guidelines established by Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 on traffic regulation.
Article 7 of the new rules mandates that drivers must not exceed nine hours of driving time within any 24-hour period and prohibits them from operating a vehicle when fatigued or exhausted to a degree that impairs their driving ability. This requirement applies to all drivers, not just professional or commercial vehicle operators.
The Federal Traffic Council has the authority to adjust the nine-hour limit under the regulations. Even if a driver has not reached the nine-hour limit, they must cease driving if they become too fatigued to operate the vehicle safely. The specific methods for monitoring driving hours, such as required rest periods or penalties for exceeding the limit, are not detailed in Article 7.
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