UAE New Traffic Rules 2027 for E-Scooter Riders & Drivers

The changes are listed under Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026, the executive regulation of Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 on the Regulation of Traffic, which replaces Ministerial Decision No. 130 of 1997. Learner permits can now run for up to six months, delivery riders can no longer carry orders in backpacks, and the rules on child seats and overtaking are now discussed out in detail. Separately, on 9 November 2026, the Ministry of Interior postponed the five-vehicle limit for individual residents pending a review.

What Are the New E-Scooter Rules in the UAE for 2027?

E-scooter riders will see the most changes in 2027. If you ride one to the Metro station or let your teenager ride one around the community, read these rules carefully.

1. Minimum Age of 15 and a Three-Year Permit

Under Article 59, you must be at least 15 years old to apply for a permit for any of these three devices:

• Electric scooters
• Electric bicycles
• Small motorised bikes

The permit is valid for three years and can be renewed. Article 6 also says you need this permit before you ride. Regular pedal bicycles are a separate category and do not need this permit.

2. E-Scooter Registration

You need to register your e-scooter where your licensing or traffic authority requires it. Article 6 asks for devices to be registered as per the procedure of the relevant authority. However, the regulation does not mention a registration fee or the platform you will use to apply. The process may differ from one emirate to another.

3. Safety Equipment Your E-Scooter Must Have

Article 4 lists the technical features every e-scooter and e-bike must have:

• Front Light: To light up the road at night
• Rear Light: Including a red light that comes on when you brake.
• Audible Warning Device: Fitted on the handlebar, such as a horn or bell.
• Brakes: At least on the rear wheel.
• Tyres And Parts: Tyres must be roadworthy and securely fitted, and all parts must be safe and secured.

4. Riding on Approved Routes Only

You can ride only on routes approved by your licensing or traffic authority. E-scooters are not allowed on roads meant for motor vehicles. You also have to follow the speed limits and traffic instructions set for those routes. These rules apply equally to rental e-scooters.

The regulation does not set one speed limit for e-scooters across the UAE. You may see a 45 km/h figure, but that number is only part of how the law defines a small motorised bike. It is not a riding speed limit for e-scooters.

5. Rules at Pedestrian Signals

Article 50 makes the signal rules clear for pedestrians and e-scooter riders alike:

• Red: Do not cross.
• Green: You can cross.
• Flashing Green: Do not start crossing. If you have already started, you can finish.

Article 12 says that drivers should slow down near marked pedestrian crossings and be ready to stop. At crossings without signals, drivers must stop for anyone who has started crossing and allow them to finish. At signal-controlled crossings, you must let pedestrians clear the road even after your signal turns green.

6. Nine-Hour Driving Limit in 24 Hours

Article 7 says no one can drive for more than nine hours within a 24-hour period. The rule does not single out truck drivers or professional motorists, so it applies to all drivers. Even if you have driven for less than nine hours, you must not drive when tiredness affects your ability to drive safely. This fatigue rule existed before; the nine-hour number is new.

7. Tests for Licenses Expired for More Than 10 Years

Under Article 76, if your driving license has not been renewed for more than 10 years from its expiry date, you will need to pass theory and practical tests to renew it. The licensing authority will decide what these tests include. The rule does not ask you to repeat a full beginner course or complete fixed training hours.

8. Learner Permits Now Last Up to Six Months

Article 82 allows a learner permit of up to six months, which can be renewed. Under the old rules, it was three months. Not every permit will be issued for the full six months, and existing permits will not be extended automatically.

9. Speed Limits and Speeding Fines

Here is what the new regulation says about speed:

• Fines based on posted limits: Under Article 14, speeding fines are calculated based on the speed limit shown on the road. Authorities must also coordinate road limits with the speeds at which violations are detected.
• 40 km/h in residential areas: Article 8 keeps the maximum speed of 40 km/h in internal residential areas marked with signs.
• Emergency exception: Article 15 keeps the exception for emergency vehicles on duty and for drivers taking a seriously ill or injured person for help.

10. Child Seat Rules

Article 11 says that a rear child safety seat is required for children aged 4 and below. The seat must suit the child's height and weight. It should also meet UAE standards. If your car has no rear seats, you can install a rear-facing child seat in the front, but the airbag must be switched off.There is a medical exception if a child cannot use a safety seat because of a health condition. You will need a certificate attested by the competent UAE medical authority, and an adult must sit with the child in the back.The rule on front seats has not changed. A child can sit in the front only if they are over 10 years old or at least 145 cm tall.

11. New Rules for Delivery Riders

Article 10 brings clear changes for motorcycle delivery riders:

• No backpacks for carrying orders; only approved loading methods are allowed.
• No passenger behind the rider while making deliveries.
• Riders must carry a valid professional permit and show it when asked.

Under Article 57, professional permits, including motorcycle delivery permits, are valid for two years.

12. Overtaking Rules

Articles 20 and 21 say you can overtake only when the path ahead is clear and safe. Overtaking is not allowed in these situations:

• When visibility is poor or unclear
• When oncoming traffic makes it unsafe to finish the move
• At intersections, roundabouts and squares
• On bends, slopes and slippery roads
• Near pedestrian crossings
• On lanes with continuous lines
• Past vehicles that have stopped at a signal or because of a traffic obstruction

Why Are the E-Scooter Rules Getting Stricter?

As per Ministry of Interior data, major e-scooter accidents almost doubled from 61 in 2024 to 120 in 2025, a jump of 97%. Also, Dubai Police reported seizing 13,657 e-scooters during 2026, while Abu Dhabi Police seized 9,237 in ten months. In a 2026 survey of 1,010 UAE residents by Al Wathba Insurance and RoadSafetyUAE, 90% said they regularly saw unsafe e-scooter riding, and 81% had spotted riders without lights at night.

To Conclude

The new UAE traffic rules for 2027 are less about higher fines and more about safer habits. E-scooter riders need a permit, the right safety equipment and approved routes. Drivers face a nine-hour daily cap, tests for very old licences and clearer rules on child seats, overtaking and pedestrians. In addition to this, the UAE Ministry of Interior announced that it will postpone the 5-vehicle limit rule and the limit decision is pending to public feedback. For other new rules, you have time till 1 January 2027 to get your permits, license and car insurance in order.

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