The UAE Ministry of Interior has postponed plans to introduce a limit on the number of vehicles residents can register, following public feedback on the country’s new federal traffic regulations. The decision was announced on November 9, giving vehicle owners and families additional time while authorities review the proposed restrictions.
The original provision, included in Article 89 of the new implementing regulations of the Federal Traffic Law, was expected to limit individual residents to registering a maximum of five vehicles. The proposed framework also included additional fees for registering or renewing vehicles beyond the first two.
The ministry said the postponement would remain in place until the review is completed and the appropriate regulatory requirements are approved. Authorities will consider the rights of vehicle owners, the needs of families and investors, and the different ways vehicles are used.
The review will also take into account owners of classic, rare and luxury vehicles, whose circumstances may differ from those of ordinary motorists. The ministry said public feedback and suggestions would remain important in developing regulations that protect rights and improve quality of life.
For Sri Lankan expatriates living in the UAE, particularly families with multiple vehicles or those who own vehicles for investment and personal use, the announcement is an important development. However, the postponement applies specifically to the proposed vehicle-registration limit and should not be interpreted as a suspension of the other new traffic regulations scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.