Starting December, Dubai will require delivery motorcycles and e-bikes to display front number plates, enhancing road safety and sector regulation.
Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has approved a new measure requiring front number plates on delivery motorcycles and e-bikes operating in the emirate. The rule will take effect in December and will be phased in gradually as vehicles are licensed or renewed.
The decision comes as part of a broader regulatory framework designed to strengthen oversight and safety in the growing delivery sector. Developed in coordination with Dubai Police General HQ, the measure aims to improve road safety, expand identification protocols and align Dubai’s delivery vehicle standards with international best practices.
Previously, motorcycles only required rear plates, but under the updated regulation, vehicles used in corporate delivery services will now display plates at both the front and rear. The new front and rear plates will feature a gold background, black lettering, and carry the code (9) to indicate their delivery service classification.
Ahmed Mahboob, CEO of RTA’s Licensing Agency, said the new plates will be issued under a unified number and introduced upon licence renewal, or in the event of plate damage or loss. The rule applies only to commercial motorcycles involved in activities such as parcel and food delivery, digital delivery platforms, and rental services used for commercial delivery.
Non-commercial motorcycles, owned by individuals and used for personal transport, are exempt from the new rule.
The initiative follows a series of discussions with stakeholders in the government and private sectors to enhance safety for riders and road users.
In a related move, Dubai has already imposed lane restrictions on delivery motorcycles, barring them from using the fast lanes on major roads to reduce accident risk.
Officials said the front plate rule will enhance identification, discipline traffic flow, and support Dubai’s efforts to maintain high safety standards in the rapidly growing delivery market.
