Law No. (9) of 2023 Regulating the Operation of Autonomous Vehicles in the Emirate of Dubai
Law No. (9) of 2023 regulates the operation of autonomous vehicles in the Emirate of Dubai, including special development zones and free zones. It sets out the responsibilities of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in licensing, inspecting, and establishing standards for autonomous vehicles and their operators. The law also defines the legal obligations, maintenance rules, civil and criminal liabilities, and administrative penalties for operators, agents, and passengers.
Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.
Who issued it
Who it governs
This law should be read by transport operators, vehicle manufacturers, technology providers, and legal entities seeking to deploy or operate autonomous vehicles in Dubai.
What the document contains
The law covers the regulatory framework for operating, licensing, maintaining, and inspecting autonomous vehicles in Dubai. It addresses the specific duties of the Roads and Transport Authority, authorized commercial agents, operators, and passengers, alongside provisions for civil liability, criminal acts, fines, and fee collections.
The text does not provide technical algorithmic benchmarks, data privacy impact assessment methodologies, or ethical frameworks for machine decision-making beyond general safety compliance.
- The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is designated as the primary regulator for autonomous vehicles and related activities in Dubai.
- Autonomous vehicles must be officially licensed by the RTA and sourced through authorized local agents before operating on public roads.
- Operators are held strictly liable for compensating any damage to property or harm to individuals caused by their autonomous vehicles.
- Maintenance, repair, and modification of autonomous vehicles and their autonomous driving systems must be performed exclusively through authorized agents with RTA approval.
- Violations of the law are subject to fines ranging from 500 to 20,000 AED, which can be doubled upon repetition within a year up to 50,000 AED.
· Title of the Law (Article 1) · Definitions (Article 2) · Scope of Application (Article 3) · Objectives of the Law (Article 4) · Functions of the RTA (Article 5) · Using Autonomous Vehicles and Conducting Activities (Article 6) · Technical Inspection of Autonomous Vehicles (Article 7) · Requirements for Licensing Autonomous Vehicles (Article 8) · Autonomous Vehicle Licensing Procedures (Article 9) · Maintenance, Repair, and Modification of Autonomous Vehicles (Article 10) · Obligations of Operators (Article 11) · Obligations of Agents (Article 12) · Obligations of Passengers (Article 13) · Civil Liability for Remedy of Damage (Article 14) · Criminal Liability (Article 15) · Sale and Transfer of Ownership of Autonomous Vehicles (Article 16) · Outsourcing (Article 17) · Fees (Article 18) · Administrative Penalties and Fines (Article 19) · Law Enforcement (Article 20) · Grievances (Article 21) · Payment of Fees and Fines (Article 22) · Cooperation and Coordination (Article 23) · Applicability of Traffic Law (Article 24) · Issuing Implementing Resolutions (Article 25) · Repeals (Article 26) · Publication and Commencement (Article 27)
How it scores
Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.
Accountability
4/5Clear responsibility for AI outcomes
An Operator will be liable for compensating for any damage to property or harm to individuals caused by the Autonomous Vehicle.
Article (14)
screening score · 2026-10-23
Fairness
0/5Non-discrimination and equitable treatment
screening score · 2026-10-23
Human Dignity
0/5Respect for the inherent worth of persons
screening score · 2026-10-23
Human Oversight
1/5Humans remain in control of consequential decisions
Autonomous Driving System: A system which is comprised of a set of devices and software approved by the manufacturer of an Autonomous Vehicle, and which enables interaction between the Autonomous Vehicle and Road elements and controls its movement without any human intervention.
Article (2)
screening score · 2026-10-23
Privacy
1/5Protection of personal data and private life
Federal Law by Decree No. (45) of 2021 Concerning Protection of Personal Data;
Preamble
screening score · 2026-10-23
Transparency
1/5Openness about how AI systems work and are used
compile and classify the Data generated from the operation and use of Autonomous Vehicles in the Emirate;
Article (5)
screening score · 2026-10-23
Enforcement
4/5Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force
Without prejudice to any stricter penalty stipulated in any other legislation, a Person who violates the provisions of this Law or the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof will be punished by a fine of not less than five hundred dirhams
Article (19)
screening score · 2026-10-23
Impact Assessment
1/5Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use
address any regulatory or legal challenges that may result from using artificial intelligence in the field of transport
Article (4)
screening score · 2026-10-23