Rules for delivery riders in Dubai and the UAE

Dubai sets lane, speed and qualification rules for delivery riders, and federal rules add more from 1 January 2027.

Which lanes can you use in Dubai?

From 1 November 2025, delivery riders in Dubai may not use the two leftmost lanes on roads with five lanes or more, or the leftmost lane on roads with three or four lanes. On roads with two lanes or fewer there is no restriction.¹

Prohibitory signs on directional signboards show the lanes closed to commercial motorcycles.¹ Dubai Police recorded 854 accidents caused by delivery rider violations in 2024 and 962 in 2025, and issued 70,166 violations to delivery riders in 2024 and 78,386 in the first nine months of 2025, the RTA said.¹

What qualification do you need in Dubai?

A Delivery Driver Qualification Certificate, as well as a motorcycle licence. The conditions listed by Drive Dubai, an RTA-approved institute, are:²

• you must be between 21 and 55
• you must hold a valid motorcycle driving licence
• you must complete the qualification training at an authorised Dubai driving institute
• the training fee is capped at AED 200
• annual training is needed only in the first year, not for renewal

The delivery company must make sure you hold a valid licence and certificate before you ride its motorcycle.² How to get the licence is on motorcycle licence.

What changes on 1 January 2027?

New federal implementing rules, Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026, take effect.³ Gulf News reported on 7 November 2026 that they set eight obligations for professional drivers and delivery riders:⁴

• no backpacks for orders; use approved loading equipment
• no passengers on motorcycles licensed for delivery
• log into the system installed in the vehicle and approved by the authority
• wear the prescribed uniform
• carry your professional permit and show it on request
• carry no prohibited items
• do not work without a valid professional permit
• follow any other conditions of the licensing or traffic authority

The same rules bar all motorcycle riders from riding with no hands or one hand except to signal, weaving, and dangerous speeds, and require helmets and riding in single file.⁴

Will your bike be monitored?

The RTA is introducing smart monitoring for delivery motorcycles: cameras and connected devices that record speed, harsh braking, acceleration, location and route. Fitting them is voluntary until the end of June 2027 and mandatory after that.⁵⁶ The report gave no cost or penalty.⁶

Do the same rules apply on a delivery e-bike?

Abu Dhabi’s guideline covers riders of bicycles, e-bikes and scooters used for delivery as well as personal use. They must keep to 20 km/h and ride on authorised paths, and cargo bikes must meet its passenger and goods rules.⁷ Riding on walking trails, pavements that are not signed, or roads of 60 km/h and above is a AED 500 fine.⁷

How do the rules connect to insurance?

A motorcycle used for delivery needs a policy that names that use. A private policy lets the insurer recover what it paid after an accident during other use.⁸ Who pays for what is on delivery rider insurance.

Work through the checklist on this page with your fleet supervisor before your next shift.