New UAE traffic regulations tighten vehicle recall and inspection rules

Abu Dhabi: The new executive regulations of the UAE Federal Traffic Law, which will come into effect at the beginning of January, 2027, establish a new framework for handling vehicle recalls due to manufacturing defects. The regulations require commercial agents to repair manufacturing defects free of charge and give licensing authorities the power to suspend transactions involving vehicles whose owners fail to respond to recall notices. Under Article 122, commercial agents in the country must monitor manufacturers’ announcements concerning manufacturing defects and identify vehicles in the UAE affected by them. Agents must notify the licensing authority and the competent consumer protection authority of the chassis numbers, or VINs, of vehicles covered by recall campaigns, the reasons for the recalls and the approved corrective measures. They must also announce recalls of vehicles affected by manufacturing defects through the media. The article requires licensing authorities to establish a mechanism for cooperating with commercial agents, in coordination with the competent consumer protection authority, to identify the names and addresses of owners of vehicles affected by manufacturing defects. Licensing authorities are also empowered to take measures to ensure vehicle owners comply with recall campaigns. If an owner fails to respond to a recall issued by a commercial agent, the authorities must take the necessary steps to secure compliance. These measures may include preventing any action or transaction involving the chassis number of the vehicle affected by the recall. To protect consumer rights, commercial agents must repair advertised manufacturing defects free of charge. They must also ensure the availability of the necessary spare parts and qualified personnel to carry out repairs without adversely affecting customer satisfaction. Updating vehicle owner data The executive regulations also stress the importance of maintaining accurate vehicle owner information with traffic authorities. Owners are responsible for any financial or legal consequences resulting from negligence or delays in updating their contact details. Under Article 114, a vehicle owner must notify the licensing authority of any changes to their personal information, address or contact details, as well as the details of their legal representative where necessary. The vehicle owner is responsible for any financial or legal consequences resulting from a failure or delay in updating this information. Technical inspection The regulations also set out procedures for cases in which the traffic control authority refers a vehicle for technical inspection, establishing a mechanism intended to enhance road safety standards. Under Article 121, when a vehicle is referred by the traffic control authority, the licensing authority must conduct a technical inspection and verify the reasons for the referral. It must then provide the traffic control authority with the inspection results so that the necessary procedures can be carried out. If the reasons for the referral are confirmed, the vehicle owner must repair the defects, bear any transportation costs and resubmit the vehicle for technical inspection to confirm that the reasons for the referral have been addressed. If the reasons for the referral are not confirmed, the vehicle may be driven and used on the road. Its owner will not be required to bear any costs arising from the inspection or transportation process. Three-year inspection exemption The regulations provide exemptions from technical inspection in three cases. Newly manufactured light vehicles imported from the factory or authorised dealers are exempt for three years from the date of first licensing. Newly manufactured non-light vehicles imported from the factory or authorised dealers are exempt for one year from the date of first licensing. Newly manufactured vehicles in other categories imported from the factory or authorised dealers are also exempt for one year from the date of first licensing. In all cases, the licensing authority may require an exempt vehicle to undergo a technical inspection if it considers this necessary for traffic safety.