Quick answer
- From 1 January 2027, UAE drivers must not drive for more than nine hours within any 24 hour period, under Article 7 of Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026.
- The Federal Traffic Council can change the nine hour limit.
- The same article bans driving while tired enough to affect safe driving, and requires seatbelts for the driver and every passenger, front and rear.
- The regulation does not state a fine for the nine hour rule in Article 7.
A new UAE 9 hour driving limit means no driver may spend more than nine hours behind the wheel in any 24 hours once the national traffic regulation takes effect on 1 January 2027. The rule is aimed at fatigue and affects anyone who drives long days, from commuters and sales staff to people on long road trips between emirates.
What was announced
The limit is in Article 7 of the executive regulation of Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 on traffic regulation. The regulation was issued as Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026 on 6 October 2026, published in issue 833 of the Federal Official Gazette on 14 October 2026, and comes into force on 1 January 2027.
Article 7 lists general duties that apply to drivers on top of those already in the decree law. One of them is not to drive while exhausted or fatigued in a way that affects safe driving, and to keep driving hours to no more than nine hours in a 24 hour period. The article says the Federal Traffic Council may amend that figure.
The UAE 9 hour driving limit and other driver duties
Here is what Article 7 asks of every driver from 2027:
| Duty | What Article 7 says |
|---|---|
| Driving hours | No more than 9 hours within 24 hours; the Federal Traffic Council may change this |
| Fatigue | Do not drive while tired or exhausted in a way that affects safe driving |
| Drugs and alcohol | Do not drive under the influence of narcotics, psychotropic substances or intoxicants |
| Distraction | Do not use a phone or other electronic device, or do anything that distracts from safe driving, against the law in force |
| Vehicle check | Check the car is safe and fit to use before setting off, and regularly after that |
| Seatbelts | Driver and all passengers in front and rear seats must wear a seatbelt |
| Breakdowns | Move the car off the road as quickly as possible if anything affects its safety or traffic flow |
Other rules in the same regulation
Article 8 sets the speed in internal residential areas at no more than 40 km/h, to be shown on clear signs. Article 11 requires child safety seats in the rear for children aged four and under, suited to their weight and height, and allows a child over 10, or one who is 145 cm tall, to sit in the front.
For professional and delivery drivers, Article 10 adds duties such as carrying a valid professional permit and logging in to the approved system installed in the vehicle. We covered the new delivery rider checks in our story on the Dubai delivery motorcycle monitoring system.
What it means for drivers
For most commuters the nine hour cap will not change much, since a normal working day of driving is well below it. It matters more for people who drive for work across several emirates, for long weekend trips, and for anyone combining a full shift with a long drive home. Article 7 does not explain how hours will be counted or checked, so watch for guidance from the Ministry of Interior and police.
No fine for the nine hour rule appears in Article 7. Our UAE traffic fines guide lists the fines and black points that already apply, and we will update it when the new penalties are announced.
Key dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 6 October 2026 | Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026 issued |
| 14 October 2026 | Published in Federal Official Gazette issue 833 |
| 1 January 2027 | Nine hour limit and other Article 7 duties take effect |
Practical tips
- Plan long drives with breaks, and split driving with another licensed driver where you can.
- Keep a rough log of driving time on days when you drive for work as well as your commute.
- Stop at a safe place, not the hard shoulder, if you feel drowsy.
- Make sure every passenger, including those in the back, is wearing a seatbelt before you move off.
- Check tyres, lights and brakes before a long trip, since Article 7 also asks drivers to check the car is safe.
Drivers looking at other changes from the same regulation can read about the approved doctors speed exemption and the UAE vehicle recall rules for 2027.
FAQs
Is there a limit on driving hours in the UAE?
Yes. From 1 January 2027, Article 7 of Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026 says driving hours must not exceed nine hours within any 24 hour period. The Federal Traffic Council can change this limit.
Does the 9 hour driving limit apply to private car drivers?
Article 7 is written as a general duty for drivers, not only for professional or delivery drivers. It sits alongside other everyday duties such as wearing a seatbelt and not using a phone while driving.
What is the fine for driving more than 9 hours in the UAE?
Article 7 does not state a fine. Penalties for traffic violations are set separately, so watch for official announcements from the Ministry of Interior and police before the rule starts.
Do rear seat passengers have to wear seatbelts in the UAE?
Yes. Article 7 requires the driver and all passengers in the front and rear seats to wear seatbelts. This applies from 1 January 2027 under the new regulation.
What is the speed limit in residential areas under the 2027 rules?
Article 8 sets the speed in internal residential areas at no more than 40 km/h. The limit must be shown on clear signs.
More for drivers: UAE Driving Guide
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