An individual resident in the UAE can register a maximum of five vehicles, with an extra fee for the third, fourth and fifth(effective from 1st January 2027 under Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026).
Eligible new cars can be registered for two years instead of one, and no driver may drive more than nine hours in 24 hours. The rules apply across all seven emirates.
Every vehicle needs valid insurance to be registered or renewed under the new rules.
All UAE Traffic Rule Changes From 1 January 2027
| Change | Article | What you need to do |
|---|---|---|
| Max 5 vehicles per resident; extra fee from the 3rd | 89 | Plan purchases if you own 3 or more |
| 2-year registration for eligible new cars | 98 | Ask for it at your next renewal |
| Right-hand-drive cars cannot be licensed | 89 | Don’t import one for road use |
| Licensing applications online only | 89 | Use the RTA, ITC or MOI app or website |
| Max 9 hours of driving in 24 hours | 7 | Plan rest on long drives |
| Seat belts for all passengers, front and rear | 7 | Check every passenger |
| 40 km/h maximum on internal residential roads | 8 | Watch for the signs |
| 75% pass mark, plus automatic fail for dangerous errors | 65, 68 | Train for safe driving, not just marks |
| Delivery riders: no backpacks, no passengers | 10 | Use approved delivery boxes |
How Many Cars Can You Own in the UAE From 2027?
From 1 January 2027, you can register a maximum of five vehicles. The first two are registered as normal.
The third, fourth and fifth each carry an additional fee at registration and at every renewal.
The limit applies per person, not per household, and covers all vehicles, not only cars. It does not apply to companies.
Adding a third, fourth or fifth car? Each one needs its own policy, on top of the new registration fee.
Who Can Get Two-Year Car Registration in the UAE?(2 year Mulkiya Renewal)
A light vehicle can be registered for two years instead of one if it meets all three conditions in Article 98:
- It was brand new when first registered.
- It is no more than six years old from its manufacture date.
- It is owned by an individual, not a company.
Approval is at the licensing authority’s discretion, so it is not automatic.
All vehicles who do not fall under the above-mentioned 3 points have to renew their vehicle Mulkiya each year.
Two-year registration doesn’t mean two-year insurance. UAE car policies run for 13 months, so renew on time and keep your car covered.
Which Vehicles Cannot Be Registered Under the New Rules?
Right-hand-drive vehicles cannot be licensed for road use in the UAE from 2027. You can just keep them for display and not for driving.
If the registration of a vehicle has expired for more than five years, UAE traffic authorities may remove that vehicle from traffic records under Article 117.
The registration of the vehicle can be suspended if the body, engine or colour is changed without approval.
All registration and licensing applications must go through the official apps or websites of your emirate’s licensing authority. If you live in Dubai, see our Dubai car registration renewal guide and Emirates Vehicle Gate guide.
What Changes for UAE Driving Licences in 2027?
The minimum age for getting a UAE driving license:
- For a light vehcils is 18 years
- For heavy vehicles it is 20 years
- For Category 1 motorcycle, it is 17 years
- Category 2 of motorcycles the age is 21
If you are getting your first license under 21 years, the license is valid for one year. Drivers aged 21 or over get a two-year first licence.
When you renew, expatriate residents get a five-year licence, and UAE and GCC nationals get ten years.” First licences are still 1 or 2 years.
The driving test pass mark stays at 75% for both the theory and practical tests. Under Article 68, you can now fail even with 75% or more if you cause danger or the examiner has to step in.
Already licensed in Dubai? See our guide to renewing a Dubai driving licence.
Is There a Limit on How Long You Can Drive in a Day In the UAE?
Yes. No driver in the UAE may drive more than nine hours in any 24-hour period. This applies to all motorists, not only professional drivers. The Federal Traffic Council can change the limit.
You must also stop driving if you are too tired to drive safely, even before nine hours.
It is still unclear how the UAE traffic authority will monitor driving hours.
No fine has been announced for driving 9 hours.
The same articles also confirm these rules:
- Seat belts for the driver and every passenger, front and rear
- No phone use or other distractions while driving
- A maximum of 40 km/h on internal residential roads
- No reversing, U-turns or stopping outside designated areas on motorways
- No passing between a school bus or public bus and the pavement
- No private car processions without a permit
New Rules for Delivery Riders and Professional Drivers
Under Article 10, delivery riders must wear the required uniform and use approved delivery boxes, not backpacks.
Motorcycle delivery riders cannot carry a passenger. Professional drivers must carry a valid professional driving permit and log into the approved in-vehicle system.
If you ride for work, make sure your bike has valid cover. Compare motorcycle insurance quotes and add personal accident insurance for injuries on the job.
What Do the New Rules Mean for Your Car Insurance?
Every vehicle in the UAE needs at least valid third-party liability insurance to be registered or renewed. That stays the same in 2027.
A UAE motor policy normally runs for 13 months, and the CBUAE tariff sets the minimum third-party premium at AED 750 for a 4-cylinder private saloon, before discounts and 5% VAT.
What the new rules change for insurance:
- Owning 3 to 5 cars: each car needs its own policy, on top of the new extra registration fee. Fleets of five or more vehicles can qualify for a discount of up to 30% under the tariff.
- Two-year registration: your insurance still has to stay valid for the whole period. Set a renewal reminder so your car is never uninsured between registrations.
- Unroadworthy cars: a car refused registration after inspection cannot be insured for the road until it passes.
Driving without insurance in the UAE carries a fine of AED 500 and 4 black points, and the car can be impounded.
Before your next renewal, compare car insurance in the UAE or renew your car insurance online in about 60 minutes.
FAQs
The new UAE traffic rules start on 1 January 2027.
No. From 1 January 2027, you can register a maximum of five vehicles in the UAE under your name.
The extra registration fee for a third car in the UAE has not been announced as of yet. You can check RTA, ITC or your emirate’s traffic authority before registering.
The five-vehicle cap in Article 89 is for individual residents; no equivalent cap is set for companies
No. You cannot drive a right hand drive car in the UAE from 1st January 2027.
Related Posts:
Sources
Last reviewed: 5 November 2026. We will update this guide when fees and procedures are announced.
- Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026 (Federal Official Gazette, 6 October 2026). Add the official link before publishing.
- Gulf News: five-vehicle registration limit
- Gulf News: two-year registration, licence ages and validity
- Gulf News: nine-hour driving limit and driver obligations
- Gulf News: overtaking rules
- Gulf News: driving test rules
- CBUAE Rulebook: motor insurance tariff
