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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: Dubai · Effective 2023-07-13

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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.

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