Dubai’s roads got a major rule change on October 1: trucks are now banned for 16 hours a day on Sheikh Zayed Road and Beirut Street, from 6am to 10pm. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police brought in the restrictions to cut rush-hour congestion and improve safety on the emirate’s busiest roads.

The ban also covers Oud Al Multeena, Muhaisnah and Al Mizhar. If you drive in Dubai, this is the change most likely to affect your commute this month — in a good way, if it works as planned.

Which roads have new truck restrictions?

According to Time Out Dubai’s round-up of October changes and the RTA announcement reported by News89, the rules work in two layers:

  • 16-hour ban (6am–10pm): Sheikh Zayed Road, Beirut Street, plus Oud Al Multeena, Muhaisnah and Al Mizhar areas.
  • Peak-period bans: Amman Street, Airport Street and Damascus Street, and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road between Ras Al Khor Road and the Sharjah border, during 6:30–8:30am, 1:30–3pm and 5:30–8pm.
  • Exempt: Emirates Road is not covered by the new restrictions.
Morning traffic flowing on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai with skyscrapers on both sides
The RTA expects the ban to ease rush-hour congestion on Dubai’s busiest corridors.

Why Dubai introduced the ban now

The RTA says the decision is part of its wider traffic management work: reducing congestion, increasing road capacity on targeted streets, cutting travel times and improving safety. The authority and Dubai Police are running an awareness campaign so truck drivers, transport companies and truck owners know the timings, the roads covered and the alternative routes.

Drivers have been urged to use approved alternative routes or designated truck rest areas during restricted hours, follow road signs, and avoid parking on main roads or in residential areas. For visitors, the practical upside should be smoother peak-hour journeys — worth knowing alongside our Dubai Metro guide if you are weighing driving against public transport, and the metro peak-hour tips in our Dubai itinerary planner.

What it means for your journey

Commuters

Sheikh Zayed Road is Dubai’s main artery. Removing trucks for most of the day should help the worst bottlenecks, though the first weeks will show how much traffic simply shifts to other hours.

Visitors with rental cars

Nothing changes about where you can drive, but expect delivery and freight traffic to bunch up just before 6am and after 10pm near logistics areas.

Businesses and deliveries

Deliveries into central Dubai need rescheduling around the windows. If you are moving house or receiving freight, confirm timings with your company — and keep Dubai money-saving tips in mind before paying for out-of-hours surcharges.

A delivery truck parked at a designated rest area outside central Dubai
Drivers are asked to use approved alternative routes and designated truck rest areas during the ban.

Frequently asked questions

When did the Dubai truck ban start?

The new restrictions took effect on Thursday, October 1, 2026.

What are the truck ban hours on Sheikh Zayed Road?

Trucks are restricted from 6am to 10pm — 16 hours a day — on Sheikh Zayed Road and Beirut Street.

Which road is exempt from the ban?

Emirates Road is exempt from the new truck restrictions.

Who announced the truck ban?

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) together with Dubai Police.