New traffic rule: Delivery bikes to stay out of Dubai’s fast lanes
Fines up to Dh700 for non-compliant riders from 1st November
DUBAI – Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in partnership with Dubai Police, has announced a new set of traffic regulations that will restrict delivery motorcycles from using high-speed lanes across the emirate starting 1 November 2025.
The decision is part of a broader effort to improve rider safety, reduce traffic accidents, and enhance delivery operations in one of the fastest-growing logistics markets in the region.
New rules for delivery bikes
Under the new rules, delivery bikes will be banned from the two leftmost lanes on roads with five lanes or more, and from the leftmost lane on roads with three or four lanes. Roads with two lanes or fewer will remain unrestricted.
Officials say the move follows extensive studies and consultation with both public and private stakeholders, aiming to balance economic activity in the booming delivery sector with public safety.
According to Hussain Al Banna, CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency at RTA, the decision marks the latest phase of Dubai’s long-term strategy to modernise delivery operations in line with the emirate’s safety and sustainability goals.
“The delivery sector plays a vital role in driving economic growth and enhancing service standards. This regulation supports the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which seeks to double the emirate’s economy in the coming years. It ensures that road safety and delivery efficiency go hand in hand,” Al Banna said.
He explained that the regulation stems from specialised traffic studies conducted by RTA, assessing accident patterns, traffic flow, and international benchmarks. “Over the past year, RTA has held several meetings with government entities, private companies, and consultants to develop technical criteria ensuring rider safety and alignment with global best practices,” he added.
The RTA confirmed that prohibitory signs will be installed across affected routes, integrated into existing directional signboards that already restrict trucks and heavy vehicles from high-speed lanes.
Fines
To ensure compliance, RTA will coordinate closely with Dubai Police, the Department of Economy and Tourism, and major delivery companies. Riders found using restricted lanes will face fines and permit suspensions for repeated violations.
Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations Affairs at Dubai Police, said the initiative aligns with the emirate’s Traffic Safety Strategy, which targets a sustained reduction in road fatalities.
“Restricting delivery bikes from high-speed lanes forms part of our five-year executive plan focused on four pillars: monitoring and enforcement, road and vehicle engineering, traffic awareness, and administrative systems,” he said.
Al Mazrouei confirmed that non-compliance will result in fines of Dh500 for a first offence, Dh700 for a second, and temporary suspension of permits upon a third violation. Additionally, riders exceeding 100 km/h on roads with limits of 100 km/h or higher will be fined Dh200 for the first offence, Dh300 for the second, and Dh400 for the third.
He emphasised that enforcement will combine on-road patrols with smart monitoring systems to identify violators, alongside intensified inspections of delivery fleets.
Why was the change needed?
Dubai Police data revealed a concerning increase in traffic incidents involving delivery motorcycles. In 2024, there were 854 reported accidents, a figure that rose to 962 in 2025, mostly linked to reckless driving and lane violations.
“The statistics highlight the persistent risks associated with high-speed lane use by motorcycles,” Al Mazrouei said. “Motorcycles are inherently vulnerable because of their lack of protective structure and the ease of losing control at high speeds. These rules are designed to prevent fatalities and serious injuries among riders and other road users.”
Police also recorded a significant rise in enforcement actions: 70,166 violations were issued in 2024 against delivery riders, increasing to 78,386 violations in the first nine months of 2025.
Authorities say the trend reflects ongoing challenges in rider discipline and underscores the need for stronger regulatory frameworks and awareness initiatives.
Delivery Sector Excellence Award
The RTA announced that it will roll out a public awareness campaign ahead of the 1 November enforcement date, targeting delivery platforms, logistics operators, and independent riders. The campaign will use social media, billboards, and in-app notifications to ensure all drivers understand the new restrictions and penalties.
To promote compliance, RTA and Dubai Police will introduce a new recognition scheme under the Delivery Sector Excellence Award, honouring companies whose riders demonstrate consistent adherence to the rules. Compliant operators will be publicly recognised in the “companies category” of the award for maintaining high safety and service standards.
“The initiative aims to create healthy competition among delivery companies and reward those prioritising road safety,” Al Banna said. “It also supports our long-term vision to elevate Dubai’s delivery ecosystem to the highest levels of efficiency and sustainability.”
Authorities expect the measures to significantly reduce the number of traffic accidents involving delivery motorcycles by limiting their exposure to high-speed lanes where collisions are often most severe.
The rules form part of Dubai’s ongoing drive to implement its Traffic Safety Strategy, which aims for zero road fatalities per 100,000 people by 2033, and its broader D33 economic vision, which prioritises safety, innovation, and high service quality.