UAE: New laws and regulations for 2025

Oracle
12 March 2025
2.02 pm

The year 2025 is set to be a period of significant change in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the introduction of new regulations, technological advances and environmental initiatives. These changes will affect various aspects of residents’ daily lives and reflect the country’s commitment to positioning itself at the forefront of innovation and sustainable development.

New traffic regulations

From 29 March 2025, the UAE will introduce significant changes to its road traffic laws. These changes include a revision of the minimum age required to obtain a driving licence, as well as the introduction of stricter penalties for traffic offences. The main aim of these measures is to improve road safety and reduce the number of accidents on the country’s roads.

The introduction of flying taxis

In 2025, Dubai and Abu Dhabi will launch flying taxi services, an innovation that promises to revolutionise urban travel. These aerial vehicles will cut journey times from 45 minutes by car to just 10 minutes by air, offering a fast and efficient alternative to traditional modes of transport. This initiative places the UAE at the forefront of futuristic mobility solutions.

Increase in parking charges

From March 2025, public parking charges in key areas of Dubai will increase. Prices will rise from 4 AED to 6 AED per hour during peak times. In addition, parking in areas designated for special events will cost up to 25 AED per hour. These changes are designed to encourage the use of public transport and reduce urban congestion.

Increase in sewerage charges

After a decade without any changes, wastewater treatment charges in Dubai will rise gradually from 2025 onwards. The rate will reach 1.5 fil per gallon that year and will continue to rise until 2027, when it will reach 2.8 fil per gallon. This measure is intended to fund the infrastructure required to cope with population growth and increased demand for sanitation services.

Increase in Salik toll charges

For the first time since they were introduced, Salik toll charges in Dubai will rise at the end of January 2025. Crossings during peak hours will now cost 6 AED instead of 4 AED. The time slots covered by these higher fares will be from 6 am to 10 am in the morning and from 4 pm to 8 pm in the evening. This measure is intended to improve traffic management during busy periods.

Ban on single-use plastics

As part of its ongoing efforts towards environmental sustainability, Dubai will ban the use of certain single-use plastics from 1 January 2025. This ban will apply in particular to plastic items such as straws, stirrers and polystyrene containers. This initiative follows on from the ban on plastic bags introduced in 2024 and demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to protecting the environment.

Source: Railway News