The UAE will cap the number of vehicles a resident can register at five when new implementing regulations for the Federal Traffic Law take effect on January 1, 2027.
The rules also bring two-year registration for light vehicles, a permit system for electric scooters and bicycles, and tougher road safety requirements.
The changes come under Cabinet Decision No. (174) of 2026, which sets out the Implementing Regulations of Federal Decree-Law No. (14) of 2024 on the Regulation of Traffic. The framework covers vehicle driving and registration, personal mobility devices, and the issuance and renewal of driving licenses. It also reinforces protections for children and pedestrians and sets requirements for professional drivers and delivery services.
Vehicle limits and registration
Under Article (89), residents may register up to two vehicles without additional fees. Any further vehicles carry an extra fee each, provided the total registered to one resident does not exceed five. Right-hand-drive vehicles can no longer be licensed for road use and are permitted for exhibition purposes only.
Article (98) lets owners of light vehicles apply to extend registration validity from one year to two, subject to approval by the relevant licensing authority. The option applies to vehicles that were brand new when first registered and are no more than six years old from their date of manufacture.
Scooters, e-bikes and personal mobility devices
The regulations classify personal mobility devices into six categories: bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters, small-wheeled cycles such as mopeds and scooters, skateboards, and mobility aids for elderly people and people with disabilities.
Article (59) provides for three permit types 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, and a permit remains valid for three years.
Article (4) sets the technical standards these devices must meet:
- A front light for nighttime visibility.
- A rear position light with a red brake light.
- An audible warning device fitted to the handlebars.
- At least one brake on the rear wheel.
- Securely fitted, properly maintained tires.
- Intact wheel spokes under appropriate tension.
All components must be in safe working condition, and licensing authorities may impose further requirements.
Child safety and driver fatigue
Article (11) requires drivers to provide suitable safety seats for children aged four and under. The seats must match the child’s weight and height, be installed in the rear and comply with national standards.
An exception applies where a child’s medical condition prevents the use of a protective seat. In that case an official medical certificate must be submitted and an attendant must accompany the child in the rear seat. In vehicles without rear seats, a child seat may be installed in the front if it faces backward and the airbag is deactivated.
Article (7) bans driving while fatigued to the point of impaired ability. It also sets a maximum of nine hours of driving in any 24-hour period, subject to adjustment by the Federal Traffic Council.
Delivery drivers and first aid
Article (10) requires delivery drivers to wear the prescribed uniform, carry a valid professional permit and present it on request, and use the approved systems installed in their vehicles. Drivers are barred from carrying a passenger behind them on a motorcycle during deliveries and from transporting orders in backpacks. They must use designated and approved equipment instead.
Article (13) allows individuals to give first aid to people injured in traffic accidents if they hold an accredited first aid training certificate. Where the certificate has an expiry date, it must still be valid. Those assisting must also have the physical capacity to respond appropriately to the injured person’s condition.
News Source: WAM
