According to the ministerial decree by Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, mentioned below are the latest amendments to the federal traffic law.
New driving licenses in the country will be issued only for a period of two years, and thereafter, the license renewal would be valid for 10 years for UAE nationals and for 5 years for expats.
The decree stipulates that expatriates are required to possess a valid residence permit for renewal of licenses.
The executive regulations of Federal Law No.21 of 1995 regarding traffic laws are published in the official gazette, and the decree has introduced stringent traffic laws for drivers in the country.
The licensing authority will co-ordinate with competent health authorities in the country and provide reports of people whose ability to drive have been affrected.
The new law also bans use of any kind of motorised bicycles or three-wheelers without registration and license, and the licensing authority and local authority in the emriate will have the final word on the same.
Drivers passing by hospitals, residential areas or educational institutions will have to focus on maintaining speeds so that they do not cause any disturbances.
Drivers of public transport and school transport should stop only in designated places to let in/out passengers and students. All other vehicles should stop at a minimum distance of five metres when the side stand arms of these buses are open.
Motorists can allow children over the age of 10 (or 145cm length) to sit in the front seats while on the road. Children aged four years or less, have to be seated in the rear seats.
Vehicles shall not be driven in residential areas or around educational institutions and hospitals in a manner that disturbs or endangers the lives of others. The prescribed speed limit in residential areas should not be more than 40km/h.
When granting license or during renewal of driving licenses, the applicant should adhere to the age requirement. Also, they should not have diseases that impede or affect their ability to drive, as certified by competent health authorities. They should pass the driving test conducted by licensing authority and should pay specified fees.
The licensing authority will have to co-ordinate with concerned authority to regulate the transport in a particular emirate to allocate a bus route and determine the routes and times assigned for its operation. Other vehicles are not allowed to pass on tracks meant for such buses, except civil defence, ambulance rescue and police vehicles in the course of duty.
