No. Lane splitting is explicitly prohibited under UAE traffic laws, with violations punishable by fines up to AED 400 and 4 black points. The Ministry of Interior and local police forces enforce strict adherence to lane discipline, citing safety risks in high-density urban corridors like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Key Regulations for Lane Splitting in United Arab Emirates
- Federal Traffic Law (Decree-Law No. 21 of 2021): Article 44 mandates motorcyclists to occupy a single lane, prohibiting lateral movement between lanes without signaling or justification.
- Dubai Police Circular (2023): Clarifies that lane filtering—even at low speeds—constitutes reckless driving under Article 66, with mandatory penalties for obstructing traffic flow.
- Abu Dhabi Police Directive (2024): Requires motorcyclists to maintain a minimum 1.5-meter distance from adjacent vehicles, with automated cameras monitoring compliance in Sheikh Zayed Road tunnels.
Local authorities emphasize that lane splitting undermines traffic management systems, particularly in zones with variable speed limits. Recent 2026 compliance audits by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) prioritize enforcement via AI-driven surveillance, targeting repeat offenders with license suspension. Motorcyclists must adhere to lane discipline or risk escalated penalties under the unified traffic penalty framework.