Resolution No.

( 74 ) of 2021
of the Department’s Chairman
Regulation of
Transport of Goods in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi

20/04/2021

The Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT):

- Having reviewed Law No. (1) of 1974, for the Reorganization of the
Government Apparatus of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the amendments
thereof;
- Law No. (19) of 2006, concerning the Regulation of Taxi Transport in the
Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the amendments thereof;
- Law No. (30) of 2019, concerning the Creation of the Department of
Municipalities and Transport (DMT);
- The Federal Law No. (8) of 1986, concerning Determining the Axle Load of the
Vehicles Using the Paved Roads of the UAE; and
- Based on what has been presented to the Executive Council and the Council’s
approval thereof.

The following has been resolved:

Article (1)

In the application of the provisions hereof, the following words and expressions shall
have the following meanings set out next to each one of them, unless the context
indicates otherwise:

Emirate: Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Department: The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT).
Centre: The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC).
Licensing Authority:
The authority in charge of licensing vehicles in the Emirate.
Competent Authorities:
The local governmental authorities whose approval is required
to be obtained, under the legislations, for undertaking any
activity as in relation to the transport of goods.
Axle Weigh Stations:
The stations designated for monitoring the load weights of goods
transport vehicles.
Transport Vehicle:
A vehicle that is designated for the transport of goods, whether
heavy or light, including motorcycles.
Heavy Vehicle: A vehicle that is designated for the transport of goods, having an
actual unloaded weight of more than (2.5) tons, including the
trailers connected to it.
Light Vehicle: A vehicle that is designated for the transport of goods, having an
actual unloaded weight of not more than (2.5) tons, without
having a trailer. Such vehicles include motorcycles.
Goods: The materials and alive animals that are transported by land by
vehicles as per the approved specifications for every type of
goods.
Activity: Goods transport activities that are undertaken in the Emirate in
by fee, whether by transport vehicles within the Emirate or
between the Emirate and the other Emirates.
Operator: Every entity that is authorized by the Centre to undertake the
activity.
Activity Permit: A permit that is issued by the Centre to undertake the activity.
Vocational
Permit:
A permit that is issued by the Centre for the profession of a
transport driver of goods that are specified and determined in the
permit.

Article (2)

The provisions shall apply to all transport vehicles in the Emirate.

Article (3)

The Centre shall undertake the following responsibilities:

1. To issue activity permits in the Emirate in liaison with the competent authorities
in accordance with the legislations in force in this regard.
2. To issue vocational permits for the drivers of transport vehicles.
3. To operate axle weigh stations and to enter contracts with others for the
provision of the operation services thereof after the approval of the
“Department”, and to forward periodic reports on the competency, efficiency,
safety and quality of the services of axle weigh stations to the Department.
4. To monitor the operators’ adherence to the conditions of the permits granted to
them.
5. To create databases, and to conduct specialized studies for the development and
improvement of activities in the Emirate and to provide the Department with
such studies.
6. To register all transport vehicles in the Emirate, and to create databases for the
same in liaison with the licensing authority.
 Article (4)

It is conditional for undertaking the activity to adhere to the following:

1. To obtain a permit from the Centre and to adhere to the limits of the granted
permit prior to the commencement of operation processes.
2. To obtain a non-objection certificate (NOC) from the Centre for the registration,
renewal, title transfer or deregistration of a transport vehicle with the licensing
authority.
3. To meet all the conditions and specifications that are specified by the competent
authorities in accordance with the legislations in force in this regard.
4. To set detailed programs for the periodic maintenance of transport vehicles,
including the daily examination procedures thereof, and to ensure their safety
to travel on the road and their goodness for the transport of goods, and to keep
the records thereof for a period of not less than three years, and to show the
Centre the same on demand and to adhere to the implementation.
5. To link transport vehicles with the electronic tracking or monitoring system that
is decided by the Centre.
6. To only use transport vehicles in undertaking the licensed activity.
7. To keep regular records that set out the number of drivers’ working hours, the
number of driving hours and resting hours, the details of the driving locations
and timings of the vehicles, and the details of the driver’s adherence to proper
driving, using technological devices and systems that are approved by the
Centre.
8. To park transport vehicles in the places designated for such by the competent
authorities.
9. To provide the details, information, reports and documents that are requested
by the Department or the Centre within the time duration specified in such
request.
10. To adhere to the stipulations and instructions that are issued by the Department
or the Centre.
11. To register in the Occupational Safety and Health Management System
(OSHMS) in accordance with the requirements of Abu Dhabi Public Health
Centre (ADPHC) within a period of 30 days from the date of obtaining the
license and/or license renewal, or to obtain a non-objection certificate (NOC)
for the registration, renewal, title transfer or deregistration of a transport vehicle
with the licensing authority.

Article (5)

It is conditional to adhere to the following for the issuance of an activity permit:

1. To submit a valid business license issued by the competent authority.

2. To fill and sign the application form prepared by the Centre for this purpose.
 3. To install electronic tracking and monitoring devices, systems and equipment
as per the standards and specifications approved by the Centre in all the
transport vehicles intended to be operated.

Article (6)

It is prohibited for any person to drive any transport vehicle unless such person has a
permit from the Centre for doing so. It is conditional to meet the following for granting
such permit:

1. driving license according to the type of the transport vehicle intended to be

driven.
2. To pass the training courses that are specified by the Centre.
3. To be not younger than (18) years old for driving a light vehicle and not younger
than (20) years old for driving a heavy vehicle.
4. UAE-residents shall submit a valid good conduct certificate, issued by the
concerned authority.
5. To provide the traffic points report from the concerned authority for the year in
which the application is being filed and the prior year .
6. To submit a medical report every two years in confirming being clear of the
following illnesses:
a. Disability.
b. Heart diseases, diabetes, and high-risk blood pressure.
c. Epilepsy and mental, neurological and psychiatric illnesses.
d. Kidney diseases and hepatitis.
e. Leprosy.
f. Vision and sight strength illnesses and weak hearing.
7. to be knowledgeable of Arabic or English.

Article (7)

1. The validity of the activity permits that are issued by the Centre shall be limited
to one year.
2. The operator shall renew the permit activity prior to the expiration. A permit
shall become void two months following the expiration date.
3. The validity of a vocational permit shall be limited to two years, renewable for
similar durations. A driver may not drive any transport vehicle with an expired
permit.
4. A vocational permit shall be renewed within a month from the expiration date.
A permit shall stand void one month following the expiration date .
5. The Centre may suspend or cancel any permit whenever it doesn’t meet the
requirements and conditions stipulated hereunder, as well as in case it is
evidenced that the details given for obtaining the permit are incorrect, or in case
 of the failure to pay traffic violation fines within a duration of six months from
the issuance date of the traffic violation ticket.
6. Activity permits and vocational permits may only be renewed after the payment
of the stipulated fees and fines.
7. The operator shall deliver to the Centre the permit of any driver thereof upon
the end of his employment for the cancelation.
8. In case a drive is accused of committing any crime in breach of honor or honesty
or is convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics and
psychotropics or in case he causes a serious accident, the vocational permit
given to such driver shall be immediately suspended and returned back to the
Centre until a final ruling is made against him. If the ruling is made in his
conviction, the permit shall be canceled and he shall not be permitted to practice
the profession anymore.

Article (8)

In addition to the other specifications and supplies which the Department deems
necessary to be met by the vehicles as are determined by virtue of a resolution of the
Department’s Chairman, the specifications of all transport vehicles that are registered
in the Emirate shall conform to the accredited standard Emirati specifications and shall
meet the safety standards applicable in the Emirate for the vehicles being operated.
Article (9)

1. All transport vehicles that are using the road network of the Emirate shall adhere
to the maximum limits of total loads and dimensions as are specified by the
Department, or the maximum limits of weights of the transport vehicle
according to the manufacturer’s certificate, whichever is lesser.
2. The motorcycles that are using the road network shall adhere to the applicable
specifications of the Emirate for goods transport boxes.

Article (10)

The following vehicles shall be exempted from the stipulations specified in this
regulation:

1. The vehicles that are registered with the Armed Forces and that carry their
numbers.
2. The exempted vehicles under the legislations in force.

Article (11)

1. It is prohibited to operate any transport vehicle in the Emirate for undertaking

any activity without obtaining a permit for such from the Centre.
2. It is prohibited to operate any transport vehicle for undertaking an activity
unless it is registered in the Emirate. The Centre may authorize transport
vehicles from outside the Emirate to operate for a duration of one month, three
months, six months or a year, subject to providing the following:
a. A copy of the valid vehicle registration card of the transport vehicle.
b. A copy of the contract entered between the operator and the second party.
c. A copy of the valid business license.
3. It is prohibited to operate or transit transport vehicles within the Emirate if such
vehicles are nonconformant to the accredited specifications and standards.

Article (12)

1. Without prejudice to any more stringent penalty as stipulated in any other

legislation, the schedule of violations and penalties appended shall apply to
those who violate the provisions hereof.
2. The Centre shall inform the competent licensing authorities of the Emirate of
all the traffic violations whose fines have not been paid, and shall liaise with
such authorities for the collection of the amount of such fines.

Article (13)

1. In case technical faults are found to exist within a transport vehicle during the
field test in what would compromise the safety of the driver or road users, one
of the following actions shall be taken:
a. It shall be prohibited to use such transport vehicle until meeting the safety
requirements without which the vehicle cannot travel on the road, as are
issued by virtue of a resolution of the Department.
b. The vehicle’s driver shall be permitted to continue traveling with such
vehicle after specifying the repairs that have to be made, with which the
vehicle can still travel, within a specified time period, failing doing such
repairs within the prescribed period, such vehicle shall be deemed a
prohibited transport vehicle.
2. The driver shall be present with his heavy vehicle throughout the presence of
such vehicle at axle weigh stations or inspection places, and shall be fully and
legally liable for the safety of the heavy vehicle and the goods and cargo
thereon. The Centre shall not be liable – in the course of its performance of the
tasks thereof to monitor compliance with the provisions hereof – for the loss or
damage of the transport vehicle’s cargo or any part thereof, or for the delay
incurred by the operator of the transport vehicle.
3. Any official who operates, causes the operation of, or deliberately permits the
operation of any transport vehicle that does not meet the requirements referred
to herein is deemed to have breached the provisions hereof.

Article (14)
 1- The law enforcement officer shall monitor the implementation of the provisions
hereof. For such purpose, such officers may detect violations and request the
presentation of the necessary documents, and they may seek the help of the
Police or any other competent authority whenever it is required.
2- When writing the minutes, the competent law enforcement officer shall offer
conciliation to the violator, and this shall be evidenced in the minutes.
3- A violator who accepts conciliation shall pay 75% of the total penalty amount
specified for the violation, within a grace period not exceeding a month from
the date of offering conciliation thereto, and the violation shall cease by
conciliation.

Article (15)

Every interested party may aggrieve in writing to the Centre against any decision ,
action or remedy that is taken against such party under the provisions of this regulation
and the resolutions passed thereunder, within sixty (60) days from the date of being
informed of the aggrieved decision, action or remedy. A decision shall be made in the
grievance according to the applicable procedures of the Centre and the grievant shall
be informed of the grievance result. The failure to make a decision in the grievance
within ninety (90) days from the date of filing the same shall constitute an acceptance
of the grievance.

Article (16)

All the operators of goods transport activities shall rectify their status in accordance
with the provisions of this bylaw within a duration not exceeding six months from the
effectiveness date regulation .

Article (17)

This resolution shall be published in the official gazette, and shall take effect from the
publication date.

Falah Mohammed Al Ahbabi

The Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT)

Passed in Abu Dhabi

Dated:
Corresponding to:
 The Schedule of Violations and Penalties for
the Operators of Goods Transport Activities

Item Violation Penalty in Dirhams

Undertaking an activity within the Emirate without obtaining a
1 10,000
permit from the Centre.
Undertaking any activity other than the activity permitted by the
2 3,000
Centre.
3 Undertaking an activity under an expired permit. 1,000 per month of delay
The operation of a transport vehicle that is not authorized to 1,000 per transport
4
undertake the activity. vehicle
The operation of a transport vehicle for undertaking an activity
5 500 per transport vehicle
other than the authorized activity.
Driving a transport vehicle by a driver who is not authorized by
6 2,000
the Centre.
The failure to cancel a driver’s permit upon the end of his
7 1,000
employment with the operator.
The failure to follow the instructions that are specified by the
8 500
competent law enforcement officer.
The failure to provide the details, information, reports and
9 documents that are requested by the Department or the Centre 500
within the time duration specified in the request.
10 The violation of the conditions of the activity permit. 1,000
11 Parking or driving vehicles in unpermitted locations. 200 per transport vehicle
The failure to keep regular records that set out the number of
12 drivers’ working hours and the number of driving hours and 500
resting hours.
The failure to adhere to the stipulations and instructions that are
13 2,000
issued by the Department or the Centre.
Driving a heavy vehicle or permitting the operation of a heavy 200 per ton in excess of
14 vehicle having a total weight of less than 10% in excess of the the permissible
maximum weight specified by the Department. maximum
Driving a heavy vehicle or permitting the operation of a heavy 400 per ton in excess of
15 vehicle having a total weight of 10%-20% in excess of the the permissible
maximum weight specified by the Department. maximum
Driving a heavy vehicle or permitting the operation of a heavy 700 per ton in excess of
16 vehicle having a total weight of more than 20% in excess of the the permissible
maximum weight specified by the Department. maximum
The operation of a transport vehicle without the installation of
the GPS system or the failure to switch on such system, or
17 4,000
deactivating such system, or the failure to link such system with
the Centre’s GPS system.