The UAE’s amended federal traffic law came into effect on 1 July 2017. The new regulations aim to further protect the lives of road users and reduce traffic casualties from about 6 per 100,000 people to 3 per 100,000 as per Vision 2021.

Ministerial Resolution No. 177 of 2017 regarding issuing and renewing a driver’s licence

The resolution sets stipulations for issuing and renewing drivers’ licences as the following:

For those who are 21 years of age and above

• Initially, the driver’s licence is valid for 2 years for citizens, GCC nationals and other nationalities
• After renewal, the driver’s licence is valid for 10 years for citizens and GCC nationals and for 5 years for other nationalities.

For those below 21 years of age

• Initially, the driver’s licence is valid for one year for citizens, GCC nationals and other nationalities.

Ministerial Resolution No. 178 of 2017 regarding traffic control rules

The resolution covers many safety and control aspects. Some of them are:

Mandatory seat belts for all

• All passengers in a car are required to wear seat belts including those sitting in the rear seat, failing which the driver of the vehicle will be fined AED 400 and slapped with four black points.
• Children up to four years of age must be provided with a child safety seat. Violators will be fined AED 400 and slapped with four black points.
• The front seat passenger should also be at least 145 cm tall and not younger than 10 years old.

Reckless driving

• Reckless driving will incur a fine of AED 2,000, 23 black points and impounding of the vehicle for a period of 60 days.
• The same punishment and fine will apply to drivers who endanger the lives of others.
• Other violations cover: blocking traffic, jumping red signals, sudden swerving and driving without a number plate.

Driving under the influence

Drivers caught under the influence of drugs and or alcohol will have their licence suspended for one year, starting from the day of the verdict. Court will decide the fine and/or jail term.

Traffic signals

Motorcycle riders and motorists who ignore traffic lights will be fined AED 1, 000 and incur a penalty of 12 points and their vehicles will be seized for a month.

Distractions

Using phones while driving or any other distractions will be attract AED 400 fine and four black points. 

Driver’s behaviour

Violations include:

• throwing garbage
• not leaving safe distance between vehicles
• overtaking on the hard shoulder
• crowding around accident sites
• using quad-bike on road
• jaywalking
• violating technical and safety issues
• failing to fasten seat belts
• using expired tires
• driving without insurance/car registration
• driving noisy vehicle
• transporting passengers illegally.

Speeding

Those exceeding the speed limit by 80 kmph will be fined AED 3,000,  slapped with 23 black points and have their car impounded for 60 days.

Find list of traffic offences and violations (PDF, 300 KB).