Dubai enacts law on self-driving cars

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued a new law on self-driving vehicles in the Emirate of Dubai.

Law No (9) of 2023 provides the regulatory framework for self-driving vehicles operating in Dubai. Its purpose is to accelerate the transformation of intelligent mobility in the emirate and to ensure that investment in the sector is attracted.

The new law is part of Sheikh Mohammed’s “strategic vision to make Dubai the city of the future and the best city in the world to live, work and travel”.

As stated in the new law, the Roads and Transport Authority will be responsible for developing strategic plans for the deployment of self-driving vehicles. The authority will also determine technical, operational and safety benchmarks for the vehicles, be responsible for equipping routes for them and developing the necessary infrastructure.

A licence will be required for any activity related to self-driving vehicles. The conditions for obtaining it include passing a technical test and having the technical ability to read road signs.

It is specified that operators of self-driving vehicles will be liable to pay for all damages caused by accidents involving them.

The sale and transfer of self-driving vehicles in Dubai will only take place through ‘authorised agents’, and transfers from one operator to another will only be possible after approval by the authority.

Violators of the provisions of the law will face a fine of AED 500,000 to AED 20,000, which can be doubled in case of repeated violations within one year. The maximum fine will be AED 50,000. Any provisions of other legislation that may contravene the new law will be repealed.

Source: Arabian Business

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