Starting January 1, 2027, the UAE will implement significant updates to its traffic regulations, introducing new mandates for e-scooter riders, professional drivers, and vehicle safety. A key change includes a minimum age requirement of 15 for e-scooter permit applicants, alongside strict technical standards for these devices, such as mandatory lighting and braking systems. Furthermore, the new rules aim to enhance road safety by limiting driving time to a maximum of nine hours within any 24-hour window, while also prohibiting motorists from driving if they are experiencing fatigue, regardless of the duration spent behind the wheel.

The updated framework also addresses driver licensing and passenger safety. Motorists whose licenses have been expired for over a decade will now be required to pass both theory and practical tests before renewal. For families, the regulations reinforce the necessity of proper child seats for children aged four and under, while maintaining the existing age and height criteria for front-seat eligibility. Additionally, delivery riders face stricter operational guidelines, including a ban on backpacks for deliveries and a requirement to hold a professional permit. These comprehensive changes represent a modernization of the federal traffic framework, ensuring that road safety standards keep pace with the country’s evolving transport landscape.