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UAE implements new law for heavy-vehicle load limits

UAE implements new law for heavy-vehicle load limits

The new legislation seeks to preserve the UAE’s road infrastructure, boost the country’s transportation and logistics sectors, and contribute to the growth and development of the national economy.

  • The UAE’s Federal Government, led by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, approved a new comprehensive law on 4 September, aimed at enhancing road safety across the country.
  • The new regulations seek to preserve the UAE’s road infrastructure, boost the country’s transportation and logistics sectors, and contribute to the growth and development of the national economy.
  • Furthermore, the new law aligns with the government’s strategy to ensure that the UAE’s infrastructure is one of the world’s safest and most technologically advanced.
  • Under the new federal law, set to come into effect on 1 October 2023, the maximum weight of heavy vehicles traversing national roads is capped at 65 tonnes, to ensure road users’ safety and preserve the integrity of road infrastructure.
  • Vehicle owners and operators will have a four-month grace period to comply with the new law before administrative penalties take effect on 1 February 2024.
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Affected heavy-vehicles

  • As per the new rules, vehicles exceeding 2.5 tonnes in weight when empty are classified as heavy-duty vehicles.
  • This classification includes commercial vehicles used for the transportation of goods or passengers, prime movers, semi-trailers, trailer combinations, and articulated trucks.
  • The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) estimates that nearly 150,000 heavy vehicles, including border-crossing trucks, fall under the new federal law, with 28% of current truckloads across the country exceeding 65 tonnes.
  • Meanwhile, heavy vehicles owned by security, military, police, and civil defence authorities are exempted from the new regulations.
  • The latest regulation is expected to reduce the road fatality rate by 50% per 100,000 people, aligning with the UAE’s commitment to enhancing road safety.
  • Additionally, the law is projected to slash the annual road maintenance cost by $54.4 million (AED200 million) and reduce carbon emissions by five billion kilograms by 2032. Furthermore, it is forecasted to extend the lifespan of paved roadways by 50%.

Fines and penalties

  • While the specific details of penalties have not been disclosed, the UAE cabinet is set to issue a decision specifying the permissible maximum total and axle weights, dimensions charts, and a list of violations and associated administrative penalties during the four-month grace period, according to HE Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.
  • An evaluation of the law’s impact will be carried out by December 2024, nearly one year after its full implementation slated for February 2024.

Smart gates

  • To facilitate the effective enforcement of the new regulations, a total of 24 smart gates equipped with high-resolution monitoring cameras boasting a 98% accuracy rate, 3D laser scanners, and electronic sensors will be installed on UAE national roads by the end of 2024, to measure the weight and dimensions of heavy vehicles.
  • Moreover, each emirate will retain the right to impose additional restrictions as per its specific requirements, with the main guiding principle being the safety of all road users, including truck drivers, motorists, and pedestrians. These restrictions may set weight limits below 65 tonnes but not higher than the established cap.
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