Dubai Has Issued A New Law Regulating Driverless Cars

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, issued on Friday Law No 9 of 2023 regulating the operations of driverless vehicles in Dubai.

The new law aims to accelerate Dubai’s smart mobility transformation, attract investments in the sector and provide a regulatory environment that facilitates the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in transportation.

It also aims at transforming transportation trips in Dubai, into smart and self-driving trips, by 2030.

The law outlines how Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will regulate the use of driverless vehicles in the emirate, including the issuing of licenses and transfer of ownership.

Operators will be responsible for covering all damages caused by accidents.

According to the law, it is prohibited to use driverless vehicles on the road unless it is licensed by the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai.

A license will be issued once a vehicle can pass the RTA’s technical test, which includes having the technological capability to read road signs.

Selling the driverless should only be done through authorized agents, while the transfer of vehicles from one operator to another is subject to RTA’s pre-approval.

Violators of the provisions of the Law face fines between AED500 and AED20,000, which could be doubled in case of repeat violations in the same year. The maximum fine for violations is AED50,000.