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Regulation · Other

Dubai autonomous-vehicle law (Law No. 9 of 2023)

Dubai's Law No. (9) of 2023 Regulating the Operation of Autonomous Vehicles, issued by the Ruler of Dubai and administered by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in force from mid-2023, with executive regulations via RTA Administrative Resolution No. (939) of 2025.

It prohibits operating any autonomous vehicle in Dubai (including DIFC and free zones) without an RTA license, defining six AV categories and eight licensing conditions, and coordinates with the federal layer (Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 on road traffic). In September 2025 the RTA added a comprehensive framework for the operation of autonomous heavy vehicles for logistics transport (licensing, trial routes, technical requirements). The binding instrument is this law, distinct from the non-binding Dubai Self-Driving Transport Strategy 2030 target.

Jurisdiction: United Arab Emirates/Dubai · Effective 2023-07-13

Machine-readable surfaces

Sources (6)

  1. https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2023/Law%20No.%20(9)%20of%202023%20Regulating%20the%20Operation%20of%20Autonomous%20Vehicles.html
  2. https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2025/Administrative%20Resolution%20No.%20(939)%20of%202025%20Issuing%20the%20Operation%20of%20Autonomous%20Vehicles.pdf
  3. https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2025/september/28-09/rta
  4. https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/digital-uae/regulatory-framework/Use-of-autonomous-vehicles
  5. https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en/knowledge/publications/1a7d0c95/dubai-issues-new-law-to-regulate-autonomous-vehicles
  6. https://natlawreview.com/article/driverless-dubai-autonomous-vehicle-regulation-advances-united-arab-emirates

Status history

  • In effect · 2025-09-28 · editor:DEPLOY content-agent (Sprint 5c-3 MEAO regs)

    RTA added a framework for autonomous heavy-vehicle (logistics) operation on Sep 28, 2025.

  • In effect · 2023-07-13 · editor:DEPLOY content-agent (Sprint 5c-3 MEAO regs)

    Dubai Law No. 9 of 2023 in force; RTA licensing required to operate any AV in Dubai.

Common questions

What does Dubai autonomous-vehicle law (Law No. 9 of 2023) cover?
Dubai's Law No. (9) of 2023 Regulating the Operation of Autonomous Vehicles, issued by the Ruler of Dubai and administered by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in force from mid-2023, with executive regulations via RTA Administrative Resolution No. (939) of 2025. It prohibits operating any autonomous vehicle in Dubai (including DIFC and free zones) without an RTA license, defining six AV categories and eight licensing conditions, and coordinates with the federal layer (Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 on road traffic). In September 2025 the RTA added a comprehensive framework for the operation of autonomous heavy vehicles for logistics transport (licensing, trial routes, technical requirements). The binding instrument is this law, distinct from the non-binding Dubai Self-Driving Transport Strategy 2030 target.
Where does Dubai autonomous-vehicle law (Law No. 9 of 2023) apply?
Dubai autonomous-vehicle law (Law No. 9 of 2023) is recorded as a other applying in Dubai on the DEPLOY registry.
When did Dubai autonomous-vehicle law (Law No. 9 of 2023) take effect?
Dubai autonomous-vehicle law (Law No. 9 of 2023) is recorded as effective July 13, 2023 on the DEPLOY registry.
Is Dubai autonomous-vehicle law (Law No. 9 of 2023) still in effect?
Dubai autonomous-vehicle law (Law No. 9 of 2023) is currently in effect and applies to covered operators in the named jurisdiction.
What types of robots does Dubai autonomous-vehicle law (Law No. 9 of 2023) apply to?
Dubai autonomous-vehicle law (Law No. 9 of 2023) is recorded as applying to autonomous vehicles, truck on the DEPLOY registry.
Which robot models on the DEPLOY registry fall under Dubai autonomous-vehicle law (Law No. 9 of 2023)?
8 robot models on the DEPLOY registry match the form-factor scope of Dubai autonomous-vehicle law (Law No. 9 of 2023): 789D AHS, 930E AHS, ARC (Autonomous Relay Convoy), Apollo RT6 and 4 others. Form-factor scope match does not by itself establish compliance status; review the underlying primary sources for each operator.
Methodology: Verified · 6 sources (no primary) · last reviewed 2026-05-31

Verification posture

Verified

Low confidence

Review state

Stable

Last reviewed 2026-05-31

Architectural position

Cohort: av

Sources by quality tier

6
unclassified
Unclassified source

The framework is documented at /methodology. Corrections at /corrections. Reviewer: DEPLOY editorial team.

Methodology surface for Dubai autonomous-vehicle law (Law No. 9 of 2023).

Canonical ID dc9e35d7-4104-4b5d-9057-75b7560fca5d