UAE Trucking & Road Transport Company: RTA + MOI License Setup Guide 2026

Updated August 2026.

Why the UAE Is a Global Trucking Hub

The United Arab Emirates sits at the crossroads of East–West trade, and its road freight sector reflects that position. The national logistics market is valued at over AED 100 billion, anchored by Jebel Ali Port (world’s ninth-largest container port) and the deep free-zone infrastructure at JAFZA, RAKEZ, and Dubai World Central (DWC / Al Maktoum International Airport free zone). More than 85 per cent of intra-GCC cargo moves by road, making trucking a foundational sector. For entrepreneurs and investors, establishing a licensed trucking or road-transport company in the UAE opens the door to one of the region’s most dynamic freight markets — but the regulatory landscape spans multiple federal and emirate-level authorities, each with its own licences, fees, and compliance obligations.

Licence Types: RTA, DED, and MOI Requirements

Licensing a UAE trucking company involves three separate regulatory tracks that must be pursued in parallel.

RTA Transport Broker Licence (Dubai): The Roads and Transport Authority Dubai issues a “Transport Broker” licence for companies managing a fleet of commercial vehicles for hire. The fee ranges from AED 5,000 to AED 15,000 depending on fleet size and activity scope. Companies that simply rent out trucks without dispatching or brokering may apply for the related “Trucks for Rent” activity, which costs AED 5,000–10,000. Both licences are renewable annually through the RTA’s Smart Drive portal.

DED Land Freight Transport Activity (Dubai Mainland): For a mainland entity registered under the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (formerly DED), the “Land Freight Transport” trade activity licence costs between AED 5,000 and AED 20,000, depending on capital requirements and the number of designated vehicles. The DED licence is the legal entity shell; the RTA licence governs the operational transport activity.

MOI Commercial Vehicle Registration: The Ministry of Interior, through its Road Safety Department, requires that all trucks above 3.5 tonnes GVW carry a heavy-vehicle registration. Annual registration fees run AED 1,000–3,000 per vehicle and must be renewed each year at an authorised vehicle testing centre. Vehicles must pass an annual roadworthiness inspection covering brakes, lights, tachograph, and emissions.

UAE Federal Traffic Law and Dubai Road Restrictions

Federal Decree-Law No. 21 of 1995 (as amended) forms the backbone of UAE traffic regulation. For trucking operators, the key provisions are:

• Speed limits: Trucks are capped at 100 km/h on unrestricted UAE highways. Laden trucks (carrying cargo) must not exceed 80 km/h. Variable-speed-limit signs on Sheikh Zayed Road and E311 take precedence.
• Dubai heavy-vehicle curfew: Trucks are not permitted on designated major downtown arterials between 6 am and 10 pm on weekdays. The exact list of restricted roads is published by RTA and updated periodically; operators must ensure drivers are briefed on current restrictions. Violations attract fines of AED 500–2,000 per infringement.
• Overloading penalties: ESMA (Emirates Standards and Metrology Authority) sets the GCC-standard maximum GVW of 40 tonnes for standard trucks. Exceeding the limit by any margin triggers fines and, in repeat cases, vehicle impoundment.
• Salik toll surcharge: Commercial vehicles registered as trucks pay AED 8 per Salik gate (compared to AED 2 for passenger vehicles). Operators with multi-truck fleets must maintain Salik accounts with adequate credit to prevent violations.

GCC Truck Classification and MOI Heavy Vehicle Permits

The UAE adopts the GCC Unified Truck Classification system, which divides commercial vehicles into Classes 1 through 6 based on gross vehicle weight and configuration. Class 5 and Class 6 vehicles — which include semi-trailer rigs and 40-foot container carriers — require a separate MOI Heavy Vehicle Permit beyond the standard registration. This permit involves a supplementary safety inspection and is required before such vehicles can operate on public roads. Operators running Class 5–6 fleets should budget additional compliance time of approximately 2–4 weeks per vehicle for initial permit approval.

Abu Dhabi (ADM) road permits: Trucks entering Abu Dhabi’s industrial areas require a separate road permit issued by Abu Dhabi Municipalities (ADM). This permit is particularly relevant for operators serving ICAD (Industrial City of Abu Dhabi) or the KIZAD corridor. ADM permit fees vary by vehicle class; operators should factor in a 5–10 business-day approval window.

Oversized and Special Transport Permits

Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi issue special transport permits for oversized or over-weight loads that exceed standard GVW or dimension limits. The fee structure is:

Permit Type	Issuing Authority	Approximate Fee	Validity
Oversized Load (Dubai)	RTA Dubai	AED 500–5,000/trip	Per trip
Oversized Load (Abu Dhabi)	ADM	AED 500–5,000/trip	Per trip
Heavy Vehicle Registration	MOI Road Safety	AED 1,000–3,000/vehicle/yr	Annual
RTA Transport Broker Licence	RTA Dubai	AED 5,000–15,000	Annual
DED Land Freight Activity	DED Dubai	AED 5,000–20,000	Annual
Class 5–6 MOI Heavy Permit	MOI / RTA	AED 2,000–5,000/vehicle	Annual

Free Zone Logistics Hubs: JAFZA, RAKEZ, and DWC

Free zone incorporation offers significant advantages for trucking and logistics companies operating internationally. The three most relevant hubs are:

JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority): Situated adjacent to Jebel Ali Port (world #9), JAFZA is the UAE’s premier logistics free zone. A JAFZA logistics licence gives access to port facilities, bonded warehousing, and VAT zero-rating on inter-free-zone transport. Trucking companies based here benefit from streamlined customs clearance via DP World’s integrated port platform.

RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone): RAKEZ offers competitive licensing costs and is increasingly popular for Northern Emirates freight operators. Vehicle-leasing and logistics activities are well-supported, with licence fees often 20–30 per cent below JAFZA equivalents.

DWC (Dubai World Central / Al Maktoum Free Zone): Anchored by Al Maktoum International Airport, DWC is ideal for operators moving time-sensitive cargo requiring air and road multimodal connectivity. Free zone companies operating inter-free-zone transport benefit from VAT zero-rating under Federal Decree-Law No. 8/2017 (Article 51) for goods not yet consumed in the UAE local market.

Capital Requirements and Start-Up Cost Breakdown

Establishing a mid-size UAE trucking company with a fleet of 10 trucks typically requires between AED 1 million and AED 10 million in initial capital, depending on truck specification, whether vehicles are purchased or leased, and the emirate of registration. A realistic budget for a 10-truck general freight company includes:

• Fleet acquisition (10 x Class 4–5 trucks, new): AED 600,000–5,000,000
• Licences (RTA + DED + MOI registrations): AED 50,000–150,000 (Year 1)
• Depot / yard lease (12 months): AED 100,000–500,000
• Driver visas and insurance (10 drivers): AED 100,000–200,000
• GPS/telematics and fleet management software: AED 20,000–80,000
• Working capital (3 months): AED 150,000–500,000

Many operators use UAE bank financing (commercial vehicle loans at 4–7% p.a.) or lease-to-own arrangements with truck dealers such as Al Futtaim or Gargash Enterprises to reduce initial capital outlay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an RTA licence even if I am registered as a mainland DED company?

Yes. The DED “Land Freight Transport” activity licence governs the legal entity, while the RTA “Transport Broker” or “Trucks for Rent” licence governs the operational transport activity in Dubai. Both are required for companies that operate commercial vehicles for hire within Dubai. Mainland companies operating exclusively in other emirates may need equivalent licences from those emirates’ transport authorities (e.g., SCTDA in Sharjah, DMT in Abu Dhabi).

What is the maximum GVW allowed for trucks on UAE roads?

ESMA (Emirates Standards and Metrology Authority) sets the GCC standard maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) at 40 tonnes for standard trucks on UAE roads. This aligns with GCC Unified Vehicle Standards. Vehicles exceeding this limit — such as modular heavy-lift transporters — require a special oversized transport permit from the relevant emirate authority (RTA in Dubai, ADM in Abu Dhabi) costing AED 500–5,000 per trip depending on load dimensions and route.

Does the Dubai truck curfew apply on weekends?

The heavy-vehicle curfew restricting trucks on designated downtown Dubai roads primarily applies to weekdays (Sunday–Thursday), with partial restrictions on Saturdays on certain routes. Fridays are typically unrestricted for most roads, though specific high-density corridors may retain restrictions. Operators should verify current restrictions via the RTA Smart Drive portal or the Dubai Police Traffic Department, as curfew roads and times are reviewed periodically and can change.

Can a free zone trucking company operate trucks on UAE mainland roads?

Free zone companies that hold only a free zone licence are technically restricted to operating within their designated free zone and for import/export movements. To provide general trucking services on UAE mainland roads to mainland clients, a separate mainland DED licence and RTA permit are required. Many logistics operators hold dual entities — a free zone entity for international/port operations and a mainland entity for local delivery — to cover both markets legally.

How much does Salik toll cost for a commercial truck fleet?

Commercial vehicles registered as trucks pay AED 8 per Salik gate crossing (versus AED 2 for passenger cars). Dubai currently has eight active Salik gates, and additional gates were introduced under the Salik IPO expansion programme. A truck making 10 gate crossings per day incurs AED 80 in daily Salik costs, or approximately AED 1,760 per month per truck on a standard operating schedule — a material operating cost that fleet operators must build into their freight rate calculations.