UAE drivers will be limited to nine hours of driving within 24 hours from January 1, 2027. New federal regulations also prohibit driving when fatigue or exhaustion affects road safety.
The regulation applies to all vehicle drivers, not just truck drivers or professional motorists, and allows the Federal Traffic Council to revise the driving-hour limit. It also makes clear that drivers must stop if fatigue affects their ability to drive safely, regardless of how many hours they have been on the road.
The UAE recorded 20 fatigue-related traffic accidents in 2025, according to the Ministry of Interior. On October 29, Dubai Police warned against drowsy driving after a truck driver reportedly fell asleep at the wheel on Emirates Road (E611), crashed into a safety barrier and sustained minor injuries.According to RoadSafetyUAE, fatigue is particularly dangerous because it can reduce a driver’s ability to judge their own tiredness. The road-safety organisation identifies poor-quality sleep and lengthy periods of driving among the main causes.
RoadSafetyUAE identifies repeated yawning, sore eyes, slow reactions and lane drifting as signs of driver fatigue. It recommends seven to eight hours of sleep before travelling and 15-minute breaks every two hours. Tired drivers should stop safely and rest, as music and fresh air offer only temporary relief.
