Minimum age to obtain a UAE driving license reduced to 17

The UAE Government has issued a new federal decree on traffic regulation to keep pace with the rapid development of transportation worldwide by updating vehicle classifications and implementing modern road technologies. Particular attention is paid to expanding the use of driverless vehicles, electric vehicles and various personal mobility devices.

The decree law not only allows the use of new technologies to ensure road safety, but also allows penalties for vehicles or people who violate the rules. The licensing authority will create online and smart programs and applications for obtaining licenses and permits, which will be issued according to the decision of the Minister of Internal Affairs or the head of the relevant licensing authority in each Emirates.

The decree law introduces comprehensive regulations that apply to all types of vehicles and drivers, as well as pedestrians on the road. These include banning pedestrians from crossing roads with a speed limit of (80) kilometers per hour; Pedestrians assume any legal or criminal liability arising from failure to comply with this. The decree also prohibits vehicles from being stopped on the road or at the curb, placed for repairs, or standing on the roadway.

The decree determines the conditions for issuing a driver’s license, including being over 17 years old. It also regulates the activities of driving instructors, who must have a driver’s license that authorizes them to drive the vehicle they will train. Must be authorized to provide training by the licensing authority.

The decree law prohibits significant changes to the shape, chassis, body, engine power or color of the vehicle, except with the approval of the licensing authority within the scope of the controls and procedures established in this regard. It is stated that insurance companies cannot include a condition in their insurance policies that would reduce or prevent the coverage of all legal liabilities arising from death, bodily injury or material damage caused by the vehicle.

It establishes deterrent penalties for various violations and dangerous offences, including imprisonment and a fine of not less than 20,000 DH, or for misuse of vehicle license plates, one of these two penalties, imprisonment and a fine of not less than 20,000 DH. Imprisonment and a fine of not less than 30,000 DH and not more than 200,000 DH, or driving under the influence of narcotic or psychotropic substances for driving or attempting to drive under the influence of alcoholic beverages or more than 100,000 DH.

Those who drive with a suspended license will be punished with imprisonment for not more than (3) months and a fine of not less than 10,000 DH or one of these two penalties. Fleeing the scene of the accident and failure to provide relevant information is punishable by imprisonment for a period not exceeding (1) year and a fine of not less than 50,000 DH and not more than 100,000 DH, or any one or more of these. two penalties.

Any person who causes the death of another person by negligent driving of a vehicle shall be subject to imprisonment and a fine of not less than Dh50,000 or both. If the incident occurs under special aggravating circumstances, such as driving in a valley during a flood, the penalty will be imprisonment for at least one year and a fine of not less than DH100,000, or both penalties.

Crossing the road from a place other than the place designated for this purpose is punishable by imprisonment and a fine of not less than 5,000 DH and not more than 10,000 DH, or one of these two penalties if this act results in a traffic accident. .