the Most Noble Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, in his capacity as Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, issued "Law Regulating the Operation of Self-Driving Vehicles in Dubai" No. (9) of 2023. This law was issued with the purpose of achieving the emirate's strategy in smart, self-driving mobility, which is to transform 25% of the total mobility trips in Dubai, to smart and self-driv
In accordance with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's vision of the requirements of consolidating Dubai's pioneering position as a model for future cities, and in line with the global technological development, which Dubai is keen to participate in, this law comes within the framework of the continuous modernization of the legislative system and ensures its alignment with the ambitious development goals set by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It also comes within the framework of the continuous modernization of the legislative system
In order to ensure that Dubai is the finest city in the world in which to live, work, and visit, it is necessary to keep pace with the city's many incarnations within its many essential industries.
The Roads and Transport Authority's Duties and Responsibilities
The law defines the functions of the Roads and Transport Authority, the most important of which are as follows: developing policies and strategic plans to raise the efficiency, operation, and development of self-driving vehicles in Dubai; defining categories, types, and categories of self-driving vehicles, in accordance with the standards, specifications, and controls approved by the competent authorities; adopting technical and operational standards, security and safety standards; and an annual report to the Dubai Executive Council on the status of self-driving vehicles. It refers to the owner of the vehicle as well as any other person who has been given permission by the Authority to participate in any activity that is connected to the uses of the autonomous vehicle.
In accordance with the law, the authority is responsible for determining the stages of operating the self-driving vehicle, based on the operating plans that are approved by a decision of the Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai, and determining the roads, areas, and paths in which it is allowed to operate the self-driving vehicle, as well as determining its speed, and other issues related to regulating running it on the road, and preparing the necessary documentation. Additionally, the authority is responsible
In addition to the establishment of traffic solutions, rules and procedures essential to maintain the safety of traffic and traffic systems in Dubai, this includes the establishment of regulations relating to pedestrians and cars for the purpose of ensuring the safety of road users and lowering the rates of traffic offenses.
Utilizing the vehicle that drives itself and getting practise with the activity
It is against the law for any self-driving vehicle to operate on the road in Dubai unless it has been issued a license by the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai. This license must be issued in accordance with the conditions and procedures specified in the applicable legislation, which includes this law and the decisions that have been issued in accordance with it. Using the self-driving car, except after first getting the permission, and this permit is provided in accordance with the requirements and procedures defined by a decision made by the Director General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai. Using the self-driving vehicle, unless after first receiving the permit to do so.
licence terms
The legislation laid forth the requirements for licencing autonomous cars, one of which is that the authorised local agent for the kind of vehicle in the emirate to which it is proved must be the source of the autonomous vehicle when it is registered for the first time.
In accordance with the commercial agency contract, the exclusive distribution of the self-driving car, as well as the fact that the self-driving vehicle has been registered in the country of origin or source, and that its viability as a mode of transportation on public roads that are appropriate for its category and class has been shown in that nation.
It is also required that the autonomous vehicle pass the technical examination that is prescribed by the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai, and that it be equipped to read traffic signs and deal with them, as well as deal with road priorities and walk on it. Additionally, it is required that the vehicle meet the security and safety standards, specifications, and systems that are necessary to deal with the road and its users according to the approved guide. According to the Director General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority in this respect, it is required to meet with the authorised specifications in the United Arab Emirates, and it must be covered by an insurance company that is licenced to operate in the nation. Both of these requirements must be met before it can be considered compliant.
Civil responsibility
In addition to what the legislation established in relation to the processes for licencing the self-driving car, as well as the responsibilities of the operator, the agent, and the passenger, it also specified the civil responsibility for reimbursement for damages, as the result of which the operator, the agent, and the passenger are all responsible.
The operator is legally obligated to pay compensation for any injuries or property damage caused by the autonomous vehicle. This is the case despite the fact that the operator retains the right to file a claim against the party who was really at fault for the incident in question in line with the general principles of responsibility that have been established in this context.
Transactions involving the transfer of ownership
It is against the law to sell a self-driving vehicle in the Emirate of Dubai to the operator unless it is done so through an authorised agent, and it is also against the law to transfer the ownership of a self-driving vehicle from one operator to another without first obtaining the prior approval of the Roads and Transport Authority, in accordance with the conditions and procedures approved by it in this regard............
Infractions of administrative policy and fees
The law states that anyone who commits any violation of the provisions of this law and the decisions issued pursuant to it shall be punished with a fine of not less than 500 dirhams and not more than 20 thousand dirhams, and the value of the fine shall be doubled in the event of re-committing the same violation within one year from the date on which the person committed the previous violation. In excess of fifty thousand dirhams, given that the actions breaching the terms of this legislation and the judgements made pursuant to it, as well as the penalties for each of them, are decided by a decision issued by the president of the country.
When it comes to this particular matter, the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai.
The combination of cooperation and coordination
The concerned government agencies in Dubai, including the competent authorities, are required by the law to cooperate fully with the Roads and Transport Authority for the purposes of achieving the objectives of this law, and to enable the authority to carry out the functions entrusted to it according to the provisions of the law, as well as to provide assistance and assistance to it whenever it is requested to do so. The law also requires that the concerned government agencies in Dubai provide assistance and assistance to it whenever it is requested to do so.
The provisions of Federal Law No. (21) of 1995 regarding traffic and traffic, its executive regulations and their amendments, and the decisions issued pursuant to thereto, or any other legislation that replaces it, shall be applied in everything that is not specifically provided for in a special provision in this law, taking into account the unique characteristics of the self-driving vehicle.
Any provision in any other piece of legislation that is in conflict with the requirements of this law must be repealed to the extent that it is possible. It is to be published in the Official Gazette, and it is to enter into effect ninety days from the day that it was published in the Official Gazette.
