Dubai bans delivery riders on fast lanes

Delivery riders will not be allowed to use the fast lanes in Dubai from November 1, under new rules to improve road safety and "reduce fatalities and injuries".

In a statement released on Sunday, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police said riders will be barred from using the "two leftmost lanes on roads with five lanes or more".

On roads with three or four lanes, riders cannot use the leftmost lane.

No restrictions will be implemented on roads with two lanes or fewer.

حرصاً على تعزيز مستويات السلامة المرورية في إمارة دبي، أعلنت #هيئة_الطرق_و_المواصلات وشرطة دبي عن تقنين قيادة دراجات التوصيل على المسارات السريعة في الشوارع ابتداءً من 1 نوفمبر 2025، بحيث يحظر على سائقي دراجات التوصيل القيادة في الحارتين السريعة في أقصى اليسار في الشوارع التي… pic.twitter.com/OyrnJINfBm

— RTA (@rta_dubai) October 19, 2025

Riders caught violating the rule will face fines of AED 500 for the first offence and AED 700 for the second, with their permits suspended upon a third violation, announced Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations Affairs at Dubai Police.

Meanwhile, riders violating the 100 km/h speed limits will be fined AED 200 for the first offence, AED 300 for the second, and AED 400 for the third.

New signboards will be installed to "indicate lanes restricted to commercial motorcycles, alongside existing signage that prohibits heavy vehicles and trucks from using high-speed lanes", explained Hussain Al Banna, CEO of Traffic and Roads Agency at RTA.

The decision follows a "substantial growth in (food) delivery sector in recent years" in Dubai and "a concerning rise in road accidents involving delivery riders", the authorities added.

According to data from Dubai Police, 854 traffic accidents involving riders was recorded last year, with the numbers touching 962 in 2025.

“Dubai Police issued 70,166 violations last year against delivery motorcycle riders for failing to comply with traffic laws. The number has risen to 78,386 violations over the past nine months of this year, reflecting the persistence of unsafe riding behaviours among some drivers," said Al Mazrouei. 

"Restricting delivery bike use on high-speed lanes will play a vital role in improving rider behaviour, reinforcing traffic discipline, and reducing fatalities and injuries."