UAE traffic rules 2027: Five major changes every driver should know

Dubai: Starting January 1, 2027, the UAE will implement significant changes to its traffic regulations. These alterations will impact vehicle owners, e-scooter riders, and those applying for or renewing driving licenses. The changes, outlined in Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026, introduce new limits on vehicle ownership, driving hours, licence validity periods, and offer two-year vehicle registration for eligible cars. Here are the key changes:

1. Residents can register up to five vehicles: Individual residents can register up to five vehicles, while owning more than two will incur additional fees. The standard limit allows for two vehicles. Applications must be submitted through electronic channels approved by the licensing authority. Only individual residents are subject to this limit; companies are not bound by this restriction.

2. Minimum age of 15 for e-scooter permits: Riders must be at least 15 years old to apply for permits for electric scooters, electric bicycles, and small motorised bikes. Permits are valid for three years and can be renewed. The regulations cover six categories of personal mobility devices, including bicycles, electric scooters, skateboards, and mobility devices for the elderly and disabled.

Devices must adhere to technical standards, such as front lights, rear red lights, audible warning devices, functioning brakes, and secure, roadworthy tyres.

3. Drivers limited to nine hours behind the wheel: Motorists are prohibited from driving for more than nine hours within a 24-hour period. Drivers must stop if fatigue or exhaustion impairs their ability to operate a vehicle safely. The Federal Traffic Council has the authority to modify this limit, but the rules do not detail how driving hours will be monitored or enforced.

4. Driving licences valid for one, two, five, or ten years: The validity of a UAE driving licence depends on age, nationality, residency status, and whether it is a first licence. Under 21s receive a temporary licence valid for one year, renewable for another year. First-time applicants aged 21 or older receive a two-year licence.

UAE and GCC nationals receive a ten-year licence upon qualifying renewal, which can be renewed for equivalent periods. Expatriate residents receive a five-year licence upon qualifying renewal, renewable for equivalent periods. Drivers who obtain their first licence before turning 21 will receive longer validity periods once they turn 21, subject to specific requirements.

5. Some car owners can get two-year vehicle registration: Vehicle registration typically lasts one year, but the new regulations allow eligible light vehicles to be registered for two years under certain conditions. The vehicle must be newly manufactured when first registered, no more than six years old from its manufacturing date, and owned by an individual, not a company or legal entity. Approval is at the discretion of licensing authorities, and additional fees may apply.