Blitz Bureau
Aiming to keep up with the rapid evolution of transportation worldwide, the UAE Government has lowered the minimum age of driving to 17 and issued a series of new traffic regulations under a federal decree-law on October 25.
According to an advisory from the UAE Government Media Office on X, now, those who are 17 years old are allowed to obtain a licence to drive. Earlier, it was 18 years old to be eligible to drive cars and light vehicles. Pedestrians are now banned from crossing roads where the speed limit is over 80 km/h. Those who violate this rule could face civil or criminal penalties.
The Government also announced several measures – including deterrent penalties – aimed at improving road safety. The new decree-law will come into effect on March 29, 2025.
Self-driving vehicles A particular focus is given to expanding the use of self-driving vehicles, electric cars, and various types of personal mobility devices, as well as to adopting transportation methods based on advanced tech solutions, leveraging the sophisticated road network of the UAE, according to WAM.
The decree-law has introduced comprehensive regulations that apply to all types of vehicles and their drivers, as well as to pedestrians on the road.
According to the decree-law, a Cabinet resolution determines the penalties and administrative punishments, the entity to impose said penalties and receives relevant grievances, and the entity to collect said penalties and fines.
Severe penalties will apply for serious offences, in cases such as causing death while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fleeing accident scenes, crossing roads improperly, or driving through floodprone areas during floods. Anyone who, through negligence, causes the death of another person by using a vehicle shall be subject to imprisonment and a fine of no less than AED50,000, or either penalty. If the incident occurs under specific aggravating circumstances, such as driving in a valley during flooding, the penalty shall be imprisonment for a minimum of one year and a fine of no less than AED100,000, or either penalty.
According to the new rules, whoever drives a vehicle during the period of suspension of driving licence, shall be punished with imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months and a fine of not less than Dh10,000, or with one of these two penalties. Also, anyone who drives a vehicle on UAE roads with a driving licence issued by a foreign state not recognised in the UAE shall be punished with a fine of not less than Dh2,000 and not more than Dh10,000 for first offence.
