Dubai adopts regulations for operating autonomous vehicles

The Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai has approved the executive regulations of Law No. (9) of 2023 regulating the operation of autonomous vehicles in the Emirate of Dubai.

The regulation specifies six categories of self-driving vehicles. It also specified eight conditions for its licensing and renewal, in addition to 10 standards related to technical, operational, security and safety matters that must be met.

The regulations set 14 obligations for operators and agents of self-driving vehicles, including: operating the self-driving vehicle within specific routes and areas, regaining control of the self-driving vehicle without delay in cases where the vehicle gets out of control or a defect appears that affects the safety of its operation, ensuring the presence of an adult in the vehicle when there are children under 16 years of age inside it, in addition to providing an integrated electronic system to store the operational data of the self-driving vehicle, such as data on its operation and movement, its maintenance and repair schedule, and the accidents and malfunctions it has been exposed to. In addition to ensuring the provision of software updates to the vehicle in a timely and secure manner, and maintaining its operational readiness to ensure continued safe performance and compliance with established safety requirements.

The regulations also require the agent not to activate the automated driving system before obtaining prior approval, and to stop the automated driving system immediately upon request if it becomes apparent that there is a defect or threat to public safety, in addition to providing periodic maintenance services for the self-driving vehicle and ensuring its readiness for safe use at all times.

Two days ago, the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai launched the experimental service of “Robo Taxi” vehicles to the public with a driver in preparation for their launch without a driver in early 2026, in a step that is consistent with Dubai’s strategy for self-driving transportation. The next few months are scheduled to witness a major transformation in the transportation system in the emirate, with the electric air taxi service entering public service for the first time soon, followed by the launch of self-driving taxis, then other autonomous means of transportation such as self-driving buses and self-driving ferries. Driving, within a strategy developed by Dubai to reach a partial conversion from traditional transportation to self-driving transportation by 2030.

In detail, the executive regulations of Law No. (9) of 2023 regulating the operation of autonomous vehicles in the Emirate of Dubai, which were implemented and reviewed by Emirates Today, stated that the categories, types and categories of autonomous vehicles include: a light self-driving vehicle, which is a vehicle prepared for transporting people or goods, with a capacity not exceeding 13 seats, and a heavy self-driving vehicle, which is a vehicle prepared for transporting goods.

The types also include a self-driving bus, which is a vehicle designed to transport passengers, and is classified into two types: light public buses, with a capacity of no less than 14 passengers, and heavy public buses, with a capacity of more than 26 passengers, and light equipment and devices, which run on wheels or without wheels, and heavy equipment and devices, which run on wheels or without wheels, and self-driving motorized bicycles.

The regulations included seven technical and operational standards that must be met by an autonomous vehicle, which is a certificate issued by the manufacturer proving that the autonomous vehicle of its class and type has been subjected to tests on public roads in the country of manufacture or any other country in accordance with the technical requirements determined by the Roads and Transport Authority, and that it has passed those tests successfully, and a certificate of conformity of the self-driving vehicle, in terms of its class and type, to the Emirati or Gulf standard issued by the competent authority in the country, and that the vehicle is subject to Self-driving vehicles of all types and types for operational trials in the emirate, provided that these trials reflect the extent of the vehicle’s response to climatic conditions, and provide the Authority with data related to their results, and evidence that all observations recorded during their conduct have been addressed.

The standards included that the structure and design of the self-driving vehicle be compatible with the operating safety requirements of the activity assigned to it, in addition to a system for determining the permissible speeds, travel routes, areas and roads on which the self-driving vehicle is authorized to operate, according to the level of the vehicle’s automation and its technical capabilities.

According to the regulations, the self-driving vehicle must have systems for security and safety standards, including a system for communicating with the operator in emergency situations, including the event of a breakdown, a system for alerting the operator to deal with emergency situations for passengers, and any other security and safety requirements specified by the operational and technical manual approved by Dubai Roads for the self-driving vehicle.

The regulations indicate that the infrastructure for operating self-driving vehicles is being prepared and equipped in accordance with several standards and specifications, including: its inclusion of all traffic safety elements prescribed for all road users, the ability of the electronic infrastructure to communicate with the self-driving vehicle to provide data related to its movement and performance, its interaction with road elements, the distances it travels, travel time, and risk assessment, and its usability based on the technical capabilities of the self-driving vehicle, its speeds, and other matters related to its safe operation on the road, and the availability of directional signs and ground markings. Traffic lights, locations and specifications of charging devices, and ensuring that autonomous vehicle technologies adapt to any potential or expected modifications to the infrastructure specifications and traffic control systems in the emirate.

The regulations set the conditions for licensing and renewing a self-driving vehicle, most notably that it must be comprehensively insured with one of the insurance companies licensed to operate in the country, that it be operated by an operator who has a valid permit, and that no modification, development or update be made to the characteristics related to its automated driving system or its design scope of operation or its electronic applications, except after obtaining approval from Dubai Roads, and that the self-driving vehicle must pass the approved technical inspection standards and requirements.

The regulations obligated operators of self-driving vehicles to undertake 14 obligations that the operator must adhere to, which included: informing Dubai Roads immediately of any emergency malfunctions in the automated driving system of the self-driving vehicle, taking the necessary measures to deal with mechanical malfunctions, emergency situations or any requests issued by the automated driving system that require direct intervention, operating the self-driving vehicle within the lanes and areas specified by the authority, and not bypassing it or operating it in other lanes and areas, and regaining control of the self-driving vehicle without delay in cases that occur. When the vehicle is out of control or when a defect appears that affects the safety of its operation, ensuring that an adult is present in the vehicle when there are children under 16 years of age inside it.

The obligations included not making any modification, development, or update to the automated driving system of the self-driving vehicle, its designed scope of operation, or its electronic applications, except after obtaining approval, and providing an integrated electronic system to store the operational data of the self-driving vehicle, such as data on its operation, movement, maintenance and repair schedule, accidents and malfunctions to which it was exposed, and any other data determined by the authority, provided that this data is kept securely, and it is prohibited to modify, delete, or use this data for purposes other than operational except after obtaining approval. Ensuring the provision of software updates for the self-driving vehicle in a timely and safe manner, and maintaining its operational readiness to ensure continued safe performance and compliance with established safety requirements.

It also obligated the agent not to activate the automated driving system in the self-driving vehicle before obtaining prior approval, and to stop the automated driving system immediately upon request, if it becomes apparent that there is a defect or threat to public safety, and to provide periodic maintenance services for the self-driving vehicle and ensure its readiness for safe use at all times.

. 6 categories and types, including “light vehicles, buses, and self-driving bicycles.”

. 10 standards and 14 commitments that define the future of autonomous vehicles in Dubai.

. Specific operating paths, a commitment to control in the event of any malfunction, the presence of facilities for children under 16 years of age, and a comprehensive electronic system for documenting vehicle data.