UAE Moves to Two-Year Car Registrations and Five-Car Limits in 2027
Starting January 1, 2027, motorists across the UAE can apply for a two-year vehicle registration cycle for eligible light vehicles, replacing the standard annual renewal requirement under Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026. This federal overhaul, implementing Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 on traffic regulation, also introduces individual vehicle ownership caps and reshuffles driving licence validity periods across the board.
Vehicle registration will generally remain valid for one year, but licensing authorities can approve a two-year extension at the owner’s request if specific benchmarks are met. Article 98 of the regulations sets clear boundaries for this extended window: the car must have been newly manufactured when first registered, and it cannot exceed six years of age from its manufacturing date. Alongside this, individual residents face a hard cap, restricted to registering a maximum of five vehicles under their name.
The regulations also completely restructure how long driving licences remain valid, tying validity directly to age and residency status. Drivers under 21 receive temporary licences valid for just one year, which can be renewed annually. Adults getting their first licence at age 21 or older start with a two-year validity period.
Once those initial stages clear, renewal terms split by nationality. UAE and GCC nationals qualify for 10-year licence renewals, while expatriate residents receive five-year documents. Minimum age rules for specialised permits are equally explicit: applicants must be at least 21 years old for light and heavy bus licences, and at least 20 for light or heavy mechanical equipment licences.
| Driver Profile or Category | New Regulation & Validity |
|---|---|
| Light Vehicles (Extended Registration) | Eligible for 2-year registration if newly manufactured at first registration and under 6 years old |
| Individual Vehicle Ownership | Capped at a maximum of 5 vehicles per resident |
| Applicants Under 21 | Temporary 1-year driving licence, renewable for 1 year |
| First-Time Drivers Aged 21 and Above | 2-year initial driving licence |
| UAE and GCC Nationals (Renewals) | 10-year driving licence validity |
| Expatriate Residents (Renewals) | 5-year driving licence validity |
| Bus Licence Applicants (Light/Heavy) | Minimum age requirement of 21 |
| Mechanical Equipment Licence Applicants | Minimum age requirement of 20 |
Foreign licence holders, including those with valid international permits or GCC licences, retain their driving privileges during an authorised stay in the country, though these permissions do not automatically translate into permanent extensions for resident expatriates.
