General UAE Legal Questions LawFederal Decree-Law No. (14) of 2024 On Traffic Regulation

Article (1) Definitions In application of the provisions of this Decree-Law, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context otherwise requires: United Arab Emirates (UAE). : State Ministry of Interior. : Ministry Minister of Interior. : Minister The Competent Authority, in any Emirate of the State, to issue drivers Licences, drive vehicles, register them, and regulate their traffic on the Road. : Licensing Authority The Authority responsible for regulating traffic and patrols in the Ministry or Police Commands. : Traffic Control Authority

-- 1 of 24 --

2 Federal Decree-Law of 2024 Regulating Traffic Official document issued by the Licensing Authority proving the ownership of the vehicle, its specifications, the validity dates of this Licence, the company that insures the vehicle, and other data specific to the vehicle that is determined by a decision issued by the Licensing Authority. : Vehicle Licence Official document issued by the Licensing Authority or recognised in accordance with the legislation in force in the State, which proves that its holder is qualified to drive one or more types of vehicles. : Driving Licence Every path open to public traffic, paved or unpaved, without the need for special permission, and every public place that is wide enough for vehicles to pass through and that allows the public to visit, whether with permission or a Licence from a Competent Authority or otherwise, and whether its visitation is for a fee or free of charge. The Minister may, by resolution, consider private places that are large enough for vehicles to pass through as roads if the owner or person responsible for them requests this. : Road A side of the Road on which vehicles are permitted to move, dividing the Roadway into longitudinal lanes whose width allows the passage of a single row of consecutive vehicles, whether or not marked by long markings on the Road surface, and may include a lane designated for a class of vehicles. : Roadway A portion of a road adjacent to Roadway on one or both sides of the Road designated for emergency use. : Hard Shoulder of the Road All signs, marks or other instructions displayed on the Road to alert road users, including signs indicating traffic directions, populated areas and the distances between them, maximum speed limits, priorities and parking spaces. These signs may be in the form of monuments, poles, signs painted on the Road or : Traffic Signs

-- 2 of 24 --

3 Federal Decree-Law of 2024 Regulating Traffic electronic marks, such as traffic lights and other signs and controls related to regulating Traffic. Part of the Road adjacent to the Roadway or the Road Hard Shoulder on one side of the Road or both sides and prepared for pedestrians and personal transportation. The Traffic Islands in the middle of the Road are considered to be a Curb. : Curb Equipment equipped with electric motor that is driven by the power of the electric motor or by the propulsion of its user or any other source of energy that is used as a personal means of transportation, including electric bicycles, bicycles, electric scooters, skateboards, elderly transporters, transporters for people with disabilities, or any other type specified by a decision of the Council of Ministers. : Personal Transportation A mechanical or electrical machine or any other device that runs on the Road, as determined by the Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law. : Vehicle Stopping of a vehicle for a period of time required for people to board or disembark or for loading or unloading goods. : Stopping Parking a vehicle in a place for a specific or indefinite period of time and in cases other than stopping. : Parking A facility authorised by the Licensing Authority to practice Vehicle Inspection activity. : Inspection Centre A facility authorised by the Licensing Authority to practice Vehicle Inspection activity. : Vehicles Repair Centre

Article (5) Vehicle Drivers Obligations 1. Vehicle Driver shall comply as follows: a. Show the Driver Licence and Vehicle Licence data, and his personal data when requested by the Traffic Control Authority or its authorised representative. b. Provide first aid to the injured person in the event of accident involving him or to him, if he has the necessary medical knowledge for that, in accordance with the conditions specified in the Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law. c. Report the accident that occurred to him to the police or the party approved by the Traffic Control Authority, by any means approved by the Traffic Control Authority for reporting accidents, within a period not exceeding (3) three hours, unless there is an acceptable excuse for the delay in reporting that is determined by the Traffic Control Authority. d. Slow down at the entrances and exits of educational and health institutions, or if visibility is poor, or when encountering animals or when they cross the Road, or in crowded places and places where Traffic Signs are placed to that effect.

-- 4 of 24 --

5 Federal Decree-Law of 2024 Regulating Traffic e. Slow down if visibility is poor or if the Road is blocked by personal vehicles, a physical obstacle or animals. f. Slow down at a cross walk, and stop until pedestrians who have started to cross the Road have crossed. g. Not to stop the vehicle in places where stopping is prohibited. If he is forced to stop it on the Road, he shall keep to the Hard Shoulder of the Road, the right side of it, away from intersections, crossroads, slopes and bends, while taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of traffic on the Road, and not to leave the vehicle running, and to ensure that it does not move during his absence, while lighting it up between sunset and sunrise and as necessary to alert others of its presence. h. Not to drive a vehicle that makes a lot of noise, in accordance with the Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law, and not to use the alarm device within cities except to prevent danger or accidents. i. Implement the instructions of the Traffic Control Authority and other competent public authorities in the State in cases of emergencies, disasters and crises, and not endangering his life or the lives of others in such cases, especially during rainfall or flowing valleys. j. Do not stop randomly on the Road in a way that disrupts traffic or poses a danger to road users. k. Any other general obligations determined by the Licensing Authority. 2. In addition to the obligations stipulated in Clause (1) of this Article, the Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law shall determine the obligations of drivers of Heavy Vehicles, drivers of vehicles transporting persons and goods, and users of personal means of transportation.

Article (6) Traffic Priority In the absence of a Traffic Sign or a member of a Traffic Control Authority to regulate traffic at intersections or junctions, priority at intersections or junctions is given to vehicles coming from a main road. If the Roads are equal in rank or there is a roundabout or intersection, priority shall be given to those coming from the left.

-- 5 of 24 --

6 Federal Decree-Law of 2024 Regulating Traffic In all cases, Traffic Priorities shall be as follows: 1. Official Processions. 2. Civil defence vehicles on duty. 3. Vehicles intended for transporting patients and wounded persons while performing their duties. 4. Military vehicles moving in convoys. 5. Police vehicles when using warning sounds and lights. 6. Vehicles that provide essential services and are determined by a resolution issued by the Minister.

Article (7) Controls for Using the Road Everyone who uses the Road shall comply as follows controls: 1. Use the Road safely, without obstructing the vehicles traffic and people on it, or causing a traffic accident. 2. No vehicle on the Road or on the Curb may be stopped or placed for repairing it or standing in the Roadway. 3. Ensure the safety of pedestrians on and off the Road, especially in residential, commercial and recreational areas, places of worship, and educational and health institutions. 4. Pedestrians or users of personal transportation may not stop in the middle of the Roadway or cross the middle of Roadway except through the places designated for that purpose. In all cases, pedestrians may not cross roads whose speed limit exceeds (80) eighty kilometres per hour, and pedestrians bear any civil or criminal liability resulting from failure to comply with that. 5. Not to place, throw or cause any material to fly on the Road that would cause harm to it or its users or would obstruct traffic. 6. Do not close the Road by any means except that the approval of the Traffic Control Authority is obtained.

-- 6 of 24 --

7 Federal Decree-Law of 2024 Regulating Traffic 7. No Traffic Sign may be placed except that the approval of the Licensing Authority or the Traffic Control Authority is obtained, as the case may be, in accordance with the controls specified in the Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law. Chapter Three Driving Licence

Article (9) Categories Exempted from Holding a Driving Licence The following categories are exempt from the provisions for obtaining a Driving Licence: 1. Members of the military, security and police forces, when driving military vehicles, provided that Permits are issued to do so by those authorities. 2. Drivers of vehicles registered and licensed in a Foreign State, who are exempt from the registration and licensing provisions contained in this Decree-Law, provided that they possess Driving Licences issued by the Competent Authorities in that State and approved in the State or valid international Driving Licences that allow them to drive those vehicles during the period of their stay in the State, whether for transit or visit. 3. Holders of valid international or Foreign Driving Licences or temporary Driving Permits who are permitted to remain in the State for non-residence purposes, in accordance with the controls specified in this Decree-Law and its Executive Regulations.

-- 7 of 24 --

8 Federal Decree-Law of 2024 Regulating Traffic

Article (12) Suspension of Driving Licence 1. The Licensing Authority may suspend, cancel or reject to renew any Driving Licence or Permit if it is proven that the holder of the Licence or Permit is not qualified or medically fit to drive the vehicles he is licensed or authorised to drive. 2. The Traffic Control Authority, in coordination with the Licensing Authority, may suspend the validity of any Driving Licence in accordance with security and traffic safety requirements.

-- 8 of 24 --

9 Federal Decree-Law of 2024 Regulating Traffic 3. The Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law shall determine the procedures and controls for suspending, cancelling or rejecting to renew Driving Licences and Permits, and the controls for re-assessing and rehabilitating drivers.

Article (15) Controls for Vehicle Driving Trainer 1. Natural person to train others to drive a vehicle unless he holds a Driving Licence that authorises him to drive the vehicle on which he is to be trained, and is authorised to train by the Licensing Authority in accordance with the controls specified in the Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law. 2. The Driving Trainer may not allow the Trainee to drive the vehicle on any road within populated areas unless the Driving Trainer is certain that the Trainee is able to control and maintain control of the vehicle. 3. Driving Trainer shall comply with the provisions of this Decree-Law, its Executive Regulations and the resolutions issued for the implementation thereof.

-- 9 of 24 --

10 Federal Decree-Law of 2024 Regulating Traffic 4. The Licensing Authority may issue a decision to add any other conditions or controls for Driving Training.

Article (18) Vehicles Exempted from Registration and Licensing Provisions The following shall be exempted from the application of the provisions of Article (17) of this Decree-Law on Vehicles: 1. Vehicles of the President and Rulers of the Emirates. 2. Vehicles registered with military, security and police authorities and bearing Licence Plates issued by these authorities. 3. Vehicles belonging to Foreign passers-by, visitors and tourists, in accordance with the conditions specified in the Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law.

-- 10 of 24 --

11 Federal Decree-Law of 2024 Regulating Traffic 4. Vehicles designated for transporting individuals or goods and licensed in any Foreign State and permitted to visit the State in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law. 5. Any other Vehicles determined by the Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law.

Article (27) Vehicle Recall and Re-Inspection 1. The Licensing Authority may recall any vehicle for re-Inspection. 2. The Traffic Control Authority, in coordination with the Licensing Authority, may refer any vehicle for technical Inspection at any time it deems necessary to achieve traffic safety. 3. The Licensing Authority shall inform the Vehicle Owner not to use it if it is proven from the Inspector report that the licensed vehicle is not roadworthy, provided that the notice includes a statement of the deficiencies and defects in the vehicle, and its owner may not be using the vehicle until the deficiencies and defects are addressed, it is re-inspected, and it passes the Inspection successfully. 4. The Licensing Authority shall re-inspect the vehicle and allow its owner to use it if it is proven to be roadworthy. However, in cases where re-Inspection is required more than once to

-- 13 of 24 --

14 Federal Decree-Law of 2024 Regulating Traffic complete repairs, the Vehicle Owner shall only be obligated to pay the Inspection fees due for one Inspection. 5. The Vehicle Owner has the right to appeal the Inspection result to the Licensing Authority within (10) ten days, and its decision issued in this regard shall be final. 6. The Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law shall determine the conditions and procedures for recalling vehicles or referring them for technical Inspection.

Article (29) Vehicle Rent or Lease 1. Vehicles shall be rented and leased in accordance with the provisions of this Decree-Law and the legislation in force in the State in this regard. 2. Vehicle rental activity may not be practised unless a Licence is obtained from the Competent Authorities. The Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law shall determine the conditions for practising vehicle rental activity. 3. Companies licensed to engage in vehicle rental activities shall ensure the validity of Driving Licences approved in the State, duplicated or recognised by the renter, in accordance with the controls and procedures specified in the Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law. 4. The Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law shall determine the controls for renting vehicles, the obligations of the drivers of these vehicles, and the procedures for registering them.

-- 14 of 24 --

15 Federal Decree-Law of 2024 Regulating Traffic

Article (31) Arrest the Driver of the Vehicle Traffic Control Authority members may arrest any vehicle driver if he is caught red-handed committing one of the following crimes: 1. Cause the death or causality of a person while driving a vehicle. 2. Cause serious damage to the property of others as a result of driving the vehicle. 3. Drive a vehicle in a reckless manner or in a manner that poses a danger to the public. 4. Drive a vehicle under the influence of alcoholic beverages, any narcotic or psychotropic substance, or the like, which causes him to lose the ability to control it. 5. Reject to give his name, address, or any official document indicating his personal data, or giving an incorrect name or address, in the event of the occurrence of one of the crimes stipulated in this Article. 6. Attempt to escape in the event of accident that harms the safety of an individual, or in the event of a stop order issued by a member of the Traffic Control Authority, or causing a chase on the Road.

-- 15 of 24 --

16 Federal Decree-Law of 2024 Regulating Traffic

Article (32) Vehicles Seizure Traffic Control Authority members may seize any vehicle in any of the following cases: 1. If it is driving on the Road in an unfit condition, or does not meet the requirements of this Decree-Law and its Executive Regulations with regard to Licence Plate or a silencer, or is driving without brakes or without sufficient lights at night, in these cases the vehicle is prohibited from use until its defects are repaired. If its repair requires transporting it to a vehicle repair centre, it may only be transported while being carried or towed by another vehicle – depending on the type of vehicle to be transported – and it may not be permitted to be used except after it has met all technical and legal requirements. 2. If a vehicle driver is proven to have violated the law by using his vehicle without a Driving Licence twice, the vehicle shall be impounded. The impoundments shall not be lifted until the required Driving Licence is presented to the impounding authority and the other conditions and controls specified in the Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law are met. 3. If it is found on the Road being driven by a person who does not hold a Driving Licence, unless he is exempted from that, in which case the vehicle shall only be released to its owner or someone legally authorised to receive the vehicle. 4. If it is used after substantial modifications are made to the vehicle shape, chassis, body, engine power or colour except without the approval of the Licensing Authority in accordance with the controls and procedures it specifies in this regard. 5. If it is related to accident involving a crime and it is necessary to seize and impound the vehicle or present it as evidence before the court. 6. Any other case determined by the Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law. 7. This Article does not prejudice the rights of bona fide third parties.

-- 16 of 24 --

17 Federal Decree-Law of 2024 Regulating Traffic Chapter Six Penalties

Article (34) Penalty for Misusing Licence Plate Whoever commits any of the following acts shall be punished by imprisonment and a fine of not less than (20,000) twenty thousand AED, or by either of these two penalties: 1. Forging or imitating a Licence Plate or using a forged or imitated Licence Plate. 2. Distorting, obliterating or altering the data of a Licence Plate while using it for the purpose for which it was prepared. 3. Allowing others to use a Licence Plate, knowing that it has been obliterated, defaced or altered. 4. Transferring a Licence Plate from one vehicle to another without the approval of the Licensing Authority. 5. Installing a Licence Plate or assisting or facilitating its installation in violation of the provisions of this Decree-Law and its Executive Regulations.

Article (35) Driving Under the Influence of Psychotropic Substances 1. Whoever drives or attempts to drive a vehicle on the Road while under the influence of alcoholic beverages shall be punished by imprisonment and a fine of not less than (20,000) twenty thousand AED and not more than (100,000) one hundred thousand AED, or by either of these two penalties. The court shall suspend the Driving Licence for a period of not less than (3) three months the first time and (6) six months the second time, and cancel it the third time. 2. Whoever drives a vehicle or attempts to drive it on the Road while under the influence of narcotic substances, psychotropic substances, or the like shall be punished by imprisonment and a fine of not less than (30,000) thirty thousand AED and not exceeding (200,000) two

-- 17 of 24 --

18 Federal Decree-Law of 2024 Regulating Traffic hundred thousand AED, or one of these two penalties. He must: The court may suspend the Driving Licence for a period of no less than (6) six months the first time, one year the second time, and cancel it the third time.

Article (37) Penalty for Driving Without a Driving Licence or With an Unrecognised Licence 1. Whoever drives a vehicle on the Road with a Driving Licence issued by a Foreign State not recognised in the State for the first time shall be punished with a fine of not less than (2,000) two thousand AED and not more than (10,000) ten thousand AED, and shall be punished with imprisonment for a period of not less than (3) months and a fine of not less than (5,000) and not more than (50,000) fifty thousand AED, or with one of these two penalties in the event of recidivism. 2. Whoever drives a vehicle on the Road without a Driving Licence or with a Licence that does not Permit him to drive the same type of vehicle shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding (3) three months and a fine of not less than (5,000) five thousand AED and not more than (50,000) fifty thousand AED, or by one of these two penalties. In the event of recidivism, he shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not less than (3) three months and a fine of not less than (20,000) twenty thousand AED and not more than (100,000) one hundred thousand AED, or by one of these two penalties.

-- 18 of 24 --

19 Federal Decree-Law of 2024 Regulating Traffic

Article (38) Penalty for Fleeing the Scene of Accident and Not Providing Information Whoever commits deliberately any of the following actions shall be punished with imprisonment for a period that is not more than two years and a fine that is not less than (AED 50.000) fifty thousand AED and is not exceeding (AED 100.000) one million AED, or one of these two penalties: 1. Not stopping without acceptable excuse when a traffic accident occurs, resulting in injuries to people. 2. Vehicle Owner that caused a crime or accident fails provide information that would reveal the circumstances of the crime or accident or the person responsible. 3. Fleeing from police officers when they try to stop him or causing a chase on the Road. 4. Deliberate collision with Traffic Control Authority vehicles, military vehicles, or security personnel vehicles while performing their duties.

Article (39) Penalty for Crossing from Non-designated Places 1. Any person who crosses the Road from places other than those designated for that purpose shall be punished by imprisonment and a fine of not less than (5,000) five thousand AED and not more than (10,000) ten thousand AED, or by one of these two penalties, if this act results in a traffic accident. 2. Any person who crosses from non-designated Places on roads whose speed limit is (80) eighty kilometres per hour or more shall be punished by imprisonment for a period of not less than (3) three months and a fine of not less than (10,000) ten thousand AED, or by one of these two penalties.

-- 19 of 24 --

20 Federal Decree-Law of 2024 Regulating Traffic

Article (40) Penalty for Causing the Death of a Person by Mistake as a Result of Using a Vehicle Whoever, by his own fault, causes the death of a person as a result of using a vehicle on the Road shall be punished by imprisonment and a fine of not less than (50,000) fifty thousand AED, or by one of these two penalties. The penalty shall be imprisonment for a period of not less than one year and a fine of not less than (100,000) one hundred thousand AED, or one of these two penalties, if the act occurs in any of the following cases: 1. The fault is due to exceeding the red light. 2. Driving a vehicle under the influence of alcoholic beverages, any narcotic or psychotropic substance, or the like. 3. Driving a vehicle with a suspended or cancelled Driving Licence. 4. Driving in a valley while floods are running.

Article (41) Penalty for Failure to Disclose Correct Personal Data Whoever rejects to give his name or address or gives incorrect statement to a traffic police officer who is wearing his official uniform or shows his official card, when asked to do so while caught in the act of committing a crime or violation punishable under the provisions of this Decree-Law and the regulations and decisions issued in implementation thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding (3) three months and a fine not less than (10,000) ten thousand AED and not more than (20,000) twenty thousand AED, or by either of these two penalties.

-- 20 of 24 --

21 Federal Decree-Law of 2024 Regulating Traffic

Article (42) Further Measures 1. When a person is convicted of a crime related to Vehicle Driving, the Court may take the following measures: a. Suspend the validity of the Driver Licence he holds for a specified period not exceeding (3) three years, and depriving him of the right to obtain a renewed Licence for another period not exceeding (2) years after the expiration of the suspended Licence. b. Deprive him of the right to obtain a Driving Licence for a specified period not exceeding (3) three years if he does not hold a Driving Licence in accordance with the provisions of this Decree-Law. 2. The order to suspend the Driving Licence or to deprive the right to obtain it shall result in the non-use of the Licence during the period of suspension and the non-permission to obtain another Licence during the period of suspension or deprivation of the Licence. Whoever applies for a Licence in violation of the provisions of this Article shall be deemed to be in violation of the provisions of this Decree-Law, and the Licence obtained through this violation shall be deemed invalid. However, a person who has been deprived of the right to obtain a Driving Licence may apply to the same court that convicted him to cancel the deprivation order after the expiry of (6) six months from the date of conviction. Chapter Seven Final Provisions