Autonomous Vehicles Law In Ras Al Khaimah Establishes Safety, Data Governance And Operator Responsibilities

Law No. (1) of 2026 has been issued by H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, to regulate autonomous vehicles in the emirate. The legislation creates a clear legal basis for smart mobility, with strong emphasis on safety, security and protection of rights for all road users.

The law designates Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) as the main body overseeing autonomous vehicles. RAKTA is assigned to organise operations, define technical standards and set licensing rules for operators and users. The Authority is also tasked with ensuring that autonomous vehicles operate within strict safety, quality and legal limits across the emirate.

Road safety forms a central objective of the new autonomous vehicles framework in Ras Al Khaimah. The law seeks to reduce human error by requiring vehicles to shift automatically to a safe mode if self-driving functions fail. It also mandates secure links with control centres, along with transparent and traceable records for journeys, incidents and operational data.

Digital oversight is embedded into the regulation of autonomous vehicles in Ras Al Khaimah, with continuous monitoring and regular reporting required from operators. These reports support compliance checks and help maintain high safety and performance levels. The law also covers data governance and cybersecurity, detailing how information must be protected and how digital risks must be managed.

The legislation strengthens Ras Al Khaimah’s position among leading jurisdictions regulating autonomous vehicles and smart mobility. By providing legal clarity, it builds an environment that supports investment, research and development in artificial intelligence. The text stresses a balance between technological innovation and safeguarding lives, property and data within the transport sector.

Social inclusion is another focus of the autonomous vehicles law in Ras Al Khaimah. It requires services to be accessible to all community groups, including People of Determination. The law also underlines community awareness, instructing that campaigns, guidelines and educational material be developed. These tools aim to explain how residents can safely interact with autonomous vehicles on the roads.

Eng. Esmaeel Hasan Al Blooshi, Director General of Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority, stated that the issuance of this law marks a strategic step toward enhancing road safety and ensuring the safe operation of autonomous vehicles in the emirate. Eng. Esmaeel Hasan Al Blooshi added that the law offers a comprehensive framework and that RAKTA will issue detailed regulations to guide a careful shift toward future smart mobility.

The law takes effect from the date of its issuance and publication in the Official Gazette, and applies across Ras Al Khaimah. RAKTA is charged with implementing all provisions, drafting supporting regulations and supervising operations, so that autonomous vehicles gradually assume a central role in the emirate’s transport system under strict legal and regulatory standards.

With inputs from WAM