Dubai's New Law for Autonomous Vehicle Operation by Sheikh Mohammed

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has enacted a new law to regulate the use of self-driving cars in Dubai. The law, issued by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), establishes guidelines for the operation of autonomous vehicles in the emirate, including licensing and ownership transfer procedures.

According to the law, the RTA will be responsible for developing plans and policies to enhance the operation of self-driving cars in Dubai. This includes identifying different categories of autonomous vehicles and establishing technical, operational, and safety benchmarks for them. The authority will also designate the roads, areas, and routes where self-driving cars can operate, as well as set their speed limits.

In addition, the RTA is tasked with developing the necessary infrastructure and traffic solutions to ensure road safety and prevent traffic disruptions caused by autonomous vehicles. The issuance of licenses for driverless vehicles in Dubai will be mandatory and subject to passing the RTA's technical test, which includes the capability to read road signs.

The law also outlines the responsibilities of operators, agents, and passengers, as well as the obligations of operators in case of accidents involving autonomous vehicles. It stipulates that the sale of self-driving cars in Dubai must be conducted through authorized agents, and the transfer of vehicles between operators requires pre-approval from the RTA.

Violators of the law may face fines ranging from Dh500 to Dh20,000, with the possibility of doubling the fines for repeat offenses in the same year. The maximum fine is set at Dh50,000. Any conflicting legislation will be rendered null and void, and the new law will come into effect 90 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

The RTA had previously announced plans to introduce ten automated taxis supplied by the US company Cruise, which are expected to start carrying passengers later this year. These vehicles will undergo rigorous testing to ensure their readiness for Dubai's roads. The launch of driverless taxis is part of the RTA's long-term vision to make 25% of all trips autonomous across different modes of transport by 2030.

In preparation for the introduction of self-driving taxis, the RTA recently deployed a fleet of five Chevrolet Bolt electric cars to map the roads in certain parts of Dubai. Equipped with sensors including Lidar and cameras, these vehicles were driven by specialized drivers to collect data on traffic signals, signage, and driver behavior. The data will be used to create and maintain a navigable map for autonomous vehicles as part of the RTA's public-private partnership with Cruise.

With the enactment of this new law, Dubai is taking significant strides toward establishing a robust framework for the safe and efficient operation of self-driving cars, paving the way for the future of transportation in the emirate.