The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will introduce new traffic rules from January 1, 2027, for the drivers whether he/she is a national, or foreigners (including Pakistanis).
As per the new regulations, there will be a limit on driving hours, revised child-safety requirements and changes to driving licence validity.
The measures are part of Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026, which implements the country’s Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 on traffic regulation.
Under Article 7, drivers will not be allowed to drive for more than nine hours within any 24-hour period. The regulations also prohibit driving while fatigued or exhausted to the extent that it affects a person’s ability to operate a vehicle safely.
The provision could have particular implications for professional drivers, including those working in taxis, buses, trucks and delivery services.
However, the official announcement describes the nine-hour limit as applying to drivers generally, rather than exclusively to professional drivers.
Under the new rules, children aged four and under must be secured in appropriate child seats that match their height and weight. These seats must normally be fitted in the rear of the vehicle.
An exception applies where a child’s medical condition prevents the use of a child seat, subject to an official medical certificate and the presence of an attendant in the rear seat.
In vehicles without rear seats, a child seat may be installed in the front, provided it faces backwards and the airbag is deactivated.
The new regulations will also change the validity periods of UAE driving licences.
Drivers under the age of 21 will receive licences valid for one year, while first-time applicants aged 21 or older will initially receive licences valid for two years.
After renewal, UAE and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals will be eligible for licences valid for 10 years, while expatriate residents will receive licences valid for five years.
Applicants must also meet medical fitness requirements, including being physically and visually fit to drive. The assessment must be carried out by an approved healthcare authority.
The regulations introduce additional requirements for delivery riders and professional drivers.
Delivery drivers must wear the prescribed uniform, hold a valid professional permit and use approved systems installed in their vehicles.
Motorcycle delivery riders will not be allowed to carry passengers while performing delivery duties or use backpacks to transport orders. They must instead use approved equipment.
UAE traffic fines and penalties
The UAE already has a schedule of traffic fines, black points and vehicle impoundment for different offences. The following table lists commonly reported penalties under the published Dubai traffic schedule. These are existing penalties, not a new fine list announced specifically for January 2027.
|
Traffic violation
|
Fine (AED)
|
Black points
|
Possible impoundment
|
|
Driving dangerously or endangering lives
|
2,000
|
23
|
60 days
|
|
Driving under the influence of alcohol
|
Court decision
|
23
|
60 days
|
|
Driving under the influence of drugs
|
Court decision
|
—
|
60 days; licence suspension may apply
|
|
Driving without number plates
|
3,000
|
23
|
90 days
|
|
Running a red light (light vehicle)
|
1,000
|
12
|
30 days
|
|
Speeding by more than 80 km/h
|
3,000
|
23
|
60 days
|
|
Speeding by more than 60 km/h
|
2,000
|
12
|
30 days
|
|
Speeding by more than 50 km/h, up to 60 km/h
|
1,500
|
6
|
15 days
|
|
Speeding by more than 40 km/h, up to 50 km/h
|
1,000
|
—
|
—
|
|
Speeding by more than 30 km/h, up to 40 km/h
|
700
|
—
|
—
|
|
Speeding by more than 20 km/h, up to 30 km/h
|
600
|
—
|
—
|
|
Speeding by up to 20 km/h
|
300
|
—
|
—
|
|
Using a mobile phone while driving
|
800
|
4
|
—
|
|
Other driver distractions
|
800
|
4
|
—
|
|
Failing to wear a seat belt (driver)
|
400
|
4
|
—
|
|
Failing to provide a child seat for a child under four
|
400
|
—
|
—
|
|
Allowing a child under 10 or shorter than 145cm to sit in the front seat
|
400
|
—
|
—
|
|
Failing to leave a safe distance
|
400
|
4
|
—
|
|
Driving against traffic
|
600
|
4
|
7 days
|
|
Improper overtaking
|
600
|
6
|
—
|
|
Overtaking from the hard shoulder
|
1,000
|
6
|
—
|
|
Sudden swerving
|
1,000
|
4
|
—
|
|
Failing to give way to emergency vehicles
|
1,000
|
6
|
—
|
|
Failing to give way to pedestrians at crossings
|
500
|
6
|
—
|
|
Parking in a space reserved for people with disabilities without permission
|
1,000
|
6
|
—
|
|
Parking in front of a fire hydrant
|
1,000
|
6
|
—
|
|
Parking on a pavement
|
400
|
—
|
—
|
|
Failing to wear a motorcycle helmet
|
500
|
4
|
—
|
|
Driving with an expired licence
|
500
|
4
|
7 days
|
|
Driving with expired tyres
|
500
|
4
|
7 days
|
|
Driving without vehicle insurance
|
500
|
4
|
7 days
|
|
Driving without a valid vehicle registration
|
500
|
4
|
Possible impoundment
|
|
Failing to stop after a minor accident (light vehicle)
|
500
|
8
|
7 days
|
|
Illegal passenger transport
|
3,000
|
24
|
30 days
|
|
Transporting hazardous materials without permission
|
3,000
|
24
|
60 days
|
