Mohammed bin Rashid issues law regulating the operation of self-driving vehicles in Dubai

In his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, issued the "Law Regulating the Operation of Self-Driving Vehicles in Dubai" No. (9) of 2023, with the aim of achieving the emirate's strategy in smart self-driving mobility, to transform 25% of all mobility trips in Dubai into smart and self-driving trips, by 2030, through the use of artificial intelligence, and regulating the operation of self-driving vehicles, in accordance with safety and quality requirements, and in accordance with the best international standards and practices Attracting investments in all activities related to autonomous vehicles, and addressing regulatory and legal challenges arising from the uses of artificial intelligence in transportation.

The law comes within the framework of the continuous modernization of the legislative system and ensuring its alignment with the ambitious development goals set by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in accordance with His Highness's vision for the requirements of consolidating Dubai's leading position as a model for future cities, and in line with the global technological development, which Dubai is keen to

Be in line with its various forms within various vital sectors, to make Dubai the best city to live, work and visit in the world.

Competences of the Roads and Transport Authority The law defines the competencies of the Roads and Transport
Authority, the most important of which are: setting policies and strategic plans to raise the efficiency, operation and development of self-driving vehicles in Dubai, determining the categories, types and types of self-driving vehicles, in accordance with the standards, specifications and controls approved by the competent authorities, approving technical and operational standards, security and safety standards, and evaluating the performance of the operator, who is any person authorized by the authority to engage in any activity related to the uses of the self-driving vehicle, including the owner of the vehicle.

In accordance with the law, the Authority is also competent to determine the stages of operation of the self-driving vehicle, based on the operating plans approved by a decision of the Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai, and to determine the roads, areas and paths in which the self-driving vehicle is allowed to operate, as well as determine its speed, and other matters related to regulating its movement on the road, and preparing the necessary infrastructure to operate the self-driving vehicle, in accordance with the standards and specifications approved in this regard.

In addition to developing traffic solutions, rules and procedures necessary to maintain the safety of traffic regulations in Dubai, including rules related to pedestrians and vehicles, to ensure the safety of road users, and reduce traffic violations.

Using the self-driving vehicle and practicing the activity According to the law, it is prohibited to drive any self-driving vehicle on the road unless it is licensed by the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai, and this license is issued in accordance with the conditions and procedures stipulated in the legislation in force, including this law and the decisions issued pursuant thereto, and it is prohibited for any person to engage in any activity
related to the uses of the self-driving vehicle, except after obtaining the permit, and this permit is issued in accordance with the conditions and procedures determined by a decision of the Director General Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai.

Licensing
Conditions The law specifies the conditions for licensing self-driving vehicles, including: The issuer of the self-driving vehicle when it is first registered is the authorized local agent for the type of vehicle in the emirate who proves to him

According to the commercial agency contract, the exclusive distribution of the self-driving vehicle and that the self-driving vehicle has been registered in the country of origin or origin, and its use has been proven on public roads designated for its category and class in that country.

It is also required that the self-driving vehicle pass the technical inspection prescribed by the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai, and that it is prepared to read and deal with traffic signs, as well as dealing with road priorities and walking on it, and that it meets the security and safety standards, specifications and systems necessary to deal with the road and its users in accordance with the guide approved by the authority in this regard, and that it conforms to the specifications approved in the United Arab Emirates, and that it is insured by one of the insurance companies licensed to operate in the country, according to As determined by the Director General and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority in this regard.

Civil
liability In addition to what the law specifies regarding the procedures for licensing a self-driving vehicle, and the obligations of the operator, agent and passenger, it also specifies civil liability for compensation for damages, where

The operator, in accordance with the law, shall be liable for compensation for damages caused to individuals or property caused by the self-driving vehicle, without prejudice to his right of recourse against the real perpetrator of such damages, in accordance with the general rules of liability established in this regard.

Sale and transfer of ownership According to the law, it is prohibited to sell a self-driving vehicle in the Emirate of Dubai to the operator except through an authorized dealer, and it is not permissible to transfer the ownership
of the self-driving vehicle from one operator to another without obtaining the prior approval of the Roads and Transport Authority, in accordance with the conditions and procedures approved by it in this regard.

Violations and administrative
fines The law stipulates that anyone who commits any violation of the provisions of this law and the decisions issued pursuant thereto shall be punished with a fine of not less than 500 dirhams and not more than 20 thousand dirhams, and the value of the fine shall be doubled in the event of re-committing the same violation within one year from the date of committing the previous violation and not more than 50 thousand dirhams, provided that the acts violating the provisions of this law and the decisions issued pursuant thereto, and the fines related to each of them, shall be determined by a decision issued by the president

The Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai in this regard.

Cooperation and coordination
The law obliges the concerned government entities in Dubai, including the competent authorities, to cooperate fully with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) for the purposes of achieving the objectives of this law, enabling the authority to carry out the competencies entrusted to it under its provisions, and providing aid and assistance to it whenever requested to do so.

The provisions of Federal Law No. 21 of 1995 on Traffic and its Executive Regulations and their amendments, the decisions issued thereunder, or any other legislation replacing them, shall apply in all matters not provided for in this Law, taking into account the special nature of the self-driving vehicle.

Any provision in any other legislation shall be repealed to the extent that it conflicts with the provisions of this Law, and shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall come into force 90 days after the date of its publication.