UAE unveils new vehicle licensing rules, ownership cap for residents

Abu Dhabi: The new executive regulations of the Federal Traffic Law, which will come into effect on January 1, have approved new controls and requirements to regulate the process of registering and licensing vehicles of individuals residing in the country, specifying the maximum number of vehicles that residents are allowed to own. According to Article (89) regarding vehicle licensing application, resident individuals are licensed to own a maximum of two vehicles. If they wish to register or renew an additional vehicle, an additional fee is imposed for each vehicle that is registered or renewed, provided that the number of vehicles licensed to one resident does not exceed five vehicles. It stated that anyone applying for a vehicle license, whether the owner or their legal representative, must submit their application through the channels or applications announced by the licensing authority, and comply with the procedures and instructions related to that. In a related context, the executive regulations prohibit the licensing of right-hand drive vehicles in the country, except for allowing them for display purposes only, stressing that vehicles that do not meet traffic safety requirements may not be licensed. The Cabinet recently issued Resolution No. (174) of 2026 regarding the executive regulations of Federal Decree-Law No. (14) of 2024 concerning traffic and road regulations, which will come into effect on January 1, according to the UAE Legislation platform of the UAE government. Two-year license The new executive regulations of the Traffic Law set the validity period of vehicle licenses at one year, renewable as a general rule, with an exceptional option to increase the period to two years for light vehicles, according to three conditions and controls. Article (98) stipulates that “the validity period of the vehicle license shall be one year, renewable. As an exception to the provisions of this clause, the licensing authority may, at the request of the vehicle owner, increase the validity period of the light vehicle license to two years when the following conditions are met: that the vehicle is a new light vehicle when licensed for the first time, that the vehicle is no more than six years old from the date of manufacture, and that the vehicle is owned by natural persons.” Article (104) of the new executive regulations of the Traffic Law stipulates that one vehicle owned by a person with a disability shall be exempt from paying the prescribed licensing fees. Vehicle de-registration The new executive regulations of the Traffic Law grant the licensing authority powers to stop, cancel, or refuse to renew vehicle licenses, in addition to permanently removing them from traffic restrictions if their license expired more than five years ago. Article (117) regarding the suspension, cancellation or refusal to renew a vehicle license stipulates that the licensing authority may suspend the vehicle license in either of the following two cases: first, making a change to the vehicle’s structure, engine or colour without obtaining prior authorisation from the licensing authority; and second, the issuance of a court order requiring the suspension of the vehicle license. The same article also authorises the licensing authority to cancel the vehicle license in any of the following cases: total damage to the vehicle’s base or structure to the point where it is no longer roadworthy, the issuance of a court order requiring the cancellation of the vehicle license, the vehicle being exposed to serious damage as a result of a traffic accident that renders it unroadworthy, according to the licensing authority’s assessment, and vehicles that are decided to be sold at public auction in accordance with the applicable procedures. The licensing authority may also refuse to renew the vehicle license in any of the following cases: failure to meet the vehicle license renewal requirements, failure to meet the prescribed safety and security requirements, and proof that the vehicle is not roadworthy according to the approved technical inspection. The licensing authority may remove a vehicle from traffic restrictions if its license expiry period exceeds five years, in accordance with the regulations and procedures it adopts in this regard. Age categories Regarding age categories for driver's licenses, the new executive regulations of the Traffic Law provide a detailed classification of the types of vehicle licenses and permits issued in the country, linking each vehicle category to a minimum age for obtaining a driver's license. According to Article (54) of the regulations, the age categories permitted to drive vehicles, motorcycles, and equipment are divided as follows: Driving motorcycles requires that the age of the person who is issued a category (1) motorcycle driving license is not less than 17 years, and the age of the person who is issued a category (2) motorcycle driving license is not less than 21 years. The minimum age for obtai