Starting from November 1, 2025, new regulations will take effect in Dubai and Sharjah aimed at improving road safety and reducing traffic accidents, particularly involving delivery motorcycles, heavy vehicles, and buses. These changes are a direct response to the rising number of incidents involving delivery riders, a consequence of the booming e-commerce and food delivery sectors in the UAE.
New Regulations in Dubai
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai, in partnership with the Dubai Police, will impose strict restrictions on delivery riders using high-speed lanes on major roads. Delivery bikes will be banned from the two fastest lanes on roads with five or more lanes, and from the fast lane on roads with three or four lanes. However, they will still be allowed on smaller roads with two lanes or fewer. These restrictions aim to reduce the number of accidents and curb reckless riding.
Violations of the new rules will incur fines, starting at Dh500 for a first offence and increasing to Dh700 for a second. Delivery permits may also be suspended after a third violation. In addition, riders caught speeding by more than 100 km/h will face escalating fines, starting at Dh200 and rising to Dh400 for repeat offenders. The RTA has already installed new signage throughout Dubai to indicate where commercial motorcycles are banned, and will work with various authorities, including delivery companies, to monitor compliance through field inspections and digital surveillance.
These measures are part of the RTA’s broader five-year traffic safety strategy, which focuses on enforcement, road engineering, awareness campaigns, and traffic management systems. The goal is to significantly reduce fatalities linked to delivery operations and improve road safety across the emirate.
New Lane Management System in Sharjah
In Sharjah, a new lane management system will be introduced to further control the movement of delivery motorcycles, heavy vehicles, and buses. Under this system, heavy vehicles and buses will be required to use the far-right lane, while motorcycles will be restricted to the third and fourth lanes from the right on four-lane roads. On roads with three lanes, motorcycles must use the middle or right lane, and on two-lane roads, they will be confined to the right lane.
This system will be enforced with smart radars, high-definition cameras, and continuous monitoring by traffic patrols. Non-compliance will be penalised under the federal traffic law, with fines of up to Dh1,500 and 12 black points for heavy vehicles that fail to stay in their designated lanes. Motorcycles and other vehicles found ignoring road signs or traffic instructions will face fines of Dh500.
These changes are also aimed at addressing the growing concerns around traffic safety and ensuring more efficient management of the roads.
Future of Road Safety in the UAE
These regulations reflect the UAE’s ongoing efforts to improve road safety, particularly as delivery services continue to expand across the country. With both Dubai and Sharjah implementing stricter rules, authorities hope to curtail reckless driving and enhance the safety of all road users. As e-commerce and delivery services remain integral to the UAE’s economy, these measures are a necessary step to prevent further accidents and fatalities linked to these sectors.
The collaboration between the RTA, Dubai Police, and Sharjah authorities signals a proactive approach to managing road safety while adapting to the changing needs of urban transport.
