Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), working alongside Dubai Police, has announced new restrictions on heavy vehicle movement across several of the emirate's busiest corridors, starting Thursday, October 1.
Under the new rules, trucks will be barred from Sheikh Zayed Road, Beirut Street, and residential districts including Oud Al Muteena, Muhaisnah and Al Mizhar between 6am and 10pm daily. On Al Meydan Street, Al Qudra Street and the Airport Tunnel, the ban applies around the clock.
A lighter version of the restriction covers Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Road between Ras Al Khor Road and the Sharjah border, as well as Damascus Street, Amman Street and Airport Street, where trucks will only be barred during three peak windows: 6.30am–8.30am, 1.30pm–3.30pm and 5.30pm–8pm. Emirates Road (E611) remains exempt, giving freight operators a clear alternative route at any hour.
The RTA said the measure is designed to "improve traffic flow and road safety, and regulate truck movement in a way that supports the efficiency of the city's transport and logistics network." The authority noted that roughly 150,000 heavy goods vehicles pass through its 16 truck rest stops across Dubai every month, underlining the scale of freight traffic the new rules aim to manage.
Logistics companies and truck drivers are being urged to plan alternative routes well ahead of the deadline, particularly for deliveries that would otherwise cross the city during the newly restricted morning and evening windows. The change comes as Dubai continues to expand its road network and refine traffic management ahead of further population and traffic growth in the coming years.
No fines or penalty amounts for violations have been disclosed so far, though drivers should expect enforcement from day one given the RTA's emphasis on safety outcomes.