Starting November 1, delivery riders, heavy vehicle drivers, and bus operators in Dubai and Sharjah will face a new set of traffic rules designed to make UAE roads safer and more organised.

The updated regulations come in response to the rising number of accidents involving delivery motorcycles, as online food and e-commerce deliveries surge across the Emirates.

In Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in partnership with Dubai Police, will now ban delivery riders from using the fastest lanes on main roads.

• On roads with five or more lanes, riders are barred from the two leftmost lanes.
• On three- or four-lane roads, they cannot use the fast lane.
  Violators risk fines of up to Dh700 and suspension of their delivery permits for repeated offences.

To support enforcement, new signboards have been installed across the city, and inspections will be carried out jointly by the RTA, Dubai Police, and delivery companies using digital surveillance.

Meanwhile, Sharjah Police will roll out a new lane management system, requiring heavy vehicles and buses to stick to the far-right lane, while motorcycles must use designated middle or right lanes, depending on the road type.

Advanced smart radars, cameras, and 24-hour patrols will monitor compliance, with fines reaching up to Dh1,500 and 12 black points for heavy vehicles that stray from their lanes.

Officials say the initiative is part of a five-year traffic safety strategy focused on stricter enforcement, smarter road systems, and public awareness, all aimed at reducing fatalities and ensuring smoother, safer commutes across the UAE.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced an important update for Umrah pilgrims: the validity of the Umrah entry visa has been reduced from three months to one month from the date of issuance.

According to reports, the change will take effect next week. However, once a pilgrim enters the Kingdom, their stay validity remains three months, so the overall pilgrimage duration isn’t affected.

The move comes as part of efforts to streamline visa management and improve entry coordination during what is expected to be one of the busiest Umrah seasons yet.

Under the new rules, the Umrah visa will automatically be cancelled 30 days after issuance if it isn’t used to enter Saudi Arabia within that timeframe. Officials say this ensures smoother logistics as millions of pilgrims plan their journeys to Makkah and Madinah in the coming months.

Ahmed Bajaeifer, adviser to the National Committee for Umrah and Visit, told Al Arabiya the decision supports preparations for an anticipated surge in visitors, particularly during the cooler months when pilgrim numbers traditionally spike.

This season has already been a record-breaking one. According to the reports, over four million Umrah visas have been issued since June 2025, with more than 15 million pilgrims performing Umrah in the first half of the year alone.

In related updates, the Ministry recently confirmed that all visa types, including tourist, family visit, and work visas, now allow pilgrims to perform Umrah, as part of Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to make religious travel more accessible.

Pilgrims can also use the Nusuk Umrah platform to book packages, obtain permits, and plan their visits digitally.

Dubai’s largest public parking operator, Parkin PJSC, has just expanded its paid parking zones to include Dubai Studio City and Dubai Outsource City. This update, announced on October 31, means more parking options for drivers and clear pricing to make parking easier across the city.

If you drive around these areas, you’ll now notice signboards marking the new paid zones with the T-code tariff system. Here’s what you can expect: parking rates start at Dh2 for half an hour and go up to Dh36 for a full day. For regular commuters and residents, monthly and long-term subscriptions are also available, starting from Dh315 per month up to Dh2,94

0 for a full year.

This expansion is part of Parkin’s larger plan to roll out more paid parking spaces citywide, a move aimed at reducing congestion and ensuring parking availability. Earlier this year, Parkin introduced similar zones at Al Jaddaf with variable charges depending on peak times. They also began managing parking at mosques across Dubai, giving worshippers one hour free during prayer times and paid parking afterwards.

For everyday drivers, this means more transparency and predictability in parking costs, helping you plan your day and budget better. For businesses, especially those with staff or clients visiting these hubs, it offers clearer expense management. With convenient monthly subscriptions, frequent parkers can save money and avoid the hassle of hourly payments.

Dubai’s parking ecosystem is evolving quickly, aiming to combine smart technology, clear rules, and customer convenience. Keep an eye out for these new zones and take advantage of the subscription plans if you regularly park in these areas.

Stay tuned for updates and make parking in Dubai simpler and smarter!

Call to action:

Are you a regular driver in Dubai Studio City or Dubai Outsource City? Check out Parkin’s new zones subscription plans to make your parking hassle-free. Share your parking experiences or questions below!