UAE delivery rider rules from 2027 ban backpacks and passengers

Here is the short version of the biggest rider changes:

Change	What the rule says
Backpack ban	Orders must not be carried in backpacks and must follow approved loading requirements
No passengers	Riders cannot carry passengers behind them on motorcycles licensed for delivery services
Approved systems	Drivers must log into the approved system installed in their vehicles and use it as instructed

These points add to wider motorcycle safety rules that also apply on the road. If you want the broader picture, see our guide to UAE traffic rules 2027: 5 changes drivers and riders should know.

UAE delivery rider rules 2027: the 8 duties riders must follow

The regulations set out 8 obligations for professional drivers and delivery vehicle operators:

• Do not carry delivery orders in backpacks, and follow approved loading rules.
• Do not carry passengers behind you on motorcycles licensed for delivery services.
• Log into the system installed in the vehicle, if it is approved by the relevant authority, and use it in line with the instructions.
• Wear the prescribed uniform and keep a presentable appearance.
• Carry your professional driving permit and show it to the relevant authorities if asked.
• Do not transport or deliver banned items, or anything that breaches public order.
• Do not carry out professional work without a valid professional permit, or on an expired permit.
• Follow any extra conditions set by the licensing authority or traffic enforcement authority, as applicable.

The regulations also repeat several road behaviour rules for motorcycle riders. Riders must keep hold of the handlebars, except when giving a hand signal, and they must not weave through roads, ride at dangerous speeds or use the bike in a way that could put the public at risk.

Protective helmets are mandatory, and riders must travel in single file, one behind another, unless circumstances require otherwise. Riders are also barred from using another vehicle to tow or propel the motorcycle.

What the new rules mean for delivery riders and job seekers

If you currently use a backpack to carry orders, this rule means your setup will need to change before January 1, 2027. The regulations say orders must be moved using approved equipment and loading requirements instead.

Permit validity also matters more than ever. The rules clearly say professional activity cannot be carried out without a valid professional permit, or with an expired one, so riders need to know the status of their documents before each shift.

For job seekers, this is worth asking about before you accept a rider role. Ask what approved equipment is used, whether the vehicle has an authority-approved system, and how the company handles uniforms and professional permits. If you are actively hiring or applying, you can also browse current openings on JobXDubai Jobs.

In Dubai, riders should also keep an eye on Dubai delivery bikes face mandatory smart tracking from 2027, which points to more monitoring and compliance checks in the sector.

Practical steps before January 1, 2027

If you work in delivery, or plan to, these are the practical checks to make now:

• Check whether your current order-carrying setup includes a backpack.
• Ask what approved equipment will be used instead, and what the loading rules are for your vehicle.
• Confirm that your professional permit is valid and easy to present if requested.
• Learn how to log into any approved system installed in the vehicle and how it should be used.
• Keep your prescribed uniform and protective helmet ready for every shift.
• If you ride a motorcycle licensed for delivery services, do not plan to carry passengers while working.

These steps will not change the law, but they can help riders avoid turning up to work with the wrong equipment or invalid documents.

Key takeaway

From January 1, 2027, UAE delivery riders face a clear backpack ban and a no-passenger rule for delivery-licensed motorcycles. The same regulations also tie daily delivery work more closely to approved equipment, uniforms, valid professional permits and authority-approved vehicle systems.

FAQ

When do the UAE delivery rider rules start?

The new federal traffic regulations take effect on January 1, 2027. According to Gulf News, the delivery rider measures are part of the implementing regulations of Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024, issued under Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026.

Can delivery riders use backpacks in the UAE after January 1, 2027?

No. The rules say drivers must not use backpacks to carry delivery orders and must comply with approved loading requirements instead.

Can a delivery rider carry a passenger on the bike?

Not on motorcycles licensed for delivery services while making deliveries. The regulations bar riders from carrying passengers behind them on those motorcycles.

What documents must a delivery rider carry?

Drivers must carry their professional driving permits and present them to the relevant authorities upon request. The rules also say riders must not work without a valid professional permit, or under an expired permit.

Do the rules include helmet and riding behaviour requirements?

Yes. Motorcycle riders must wear protective helmets, travel in single file unless circumstances require otherwise, avoid weaving and dangerous speeds, and keep hold of the handlebars except when giving a hand signal.

Further reading

• UAE traffic rules 2027: 5 changes drivers and riders should know
• Dubai delivery bikes face mandatory smart tracking from 2027
• Dubai E-Scooter Rules: What Riders Must Know as Other Cities Ban Them
• UAE firms ramp up temporary hiring as project work grows