Restricted Road Timings for Commercial Vehicles in Dubai: Restricted Zones, Approved Routes, Permits, and Fines

Every delayed truck in Dubai has a reason. Most of the time, it is not traffic. It is a missed timing window, a restricted corridor, or a permit rule that was ignored. One wrong turn on E311, E611, or a city-centre approach can trigger fines, rerouting, lost delivery slots, and contract disputes. For logistics managers, fleet operators, and dispatch teams, restricted road timings are not a regulatory issue. They are a cost-control issue.

This guide explains how Dubai’s commercial vehicle restrictions really work. It breaks down highway timing windows, restricted zones, approved routes, mobility permits, and penalty exposure.

What benefits come from reading this article?

• Lower fine exposure by mapping restricted road timings, restricted zones, approved routes, mobility permits, and prohibited-entry penalties into one dispatch control set.
• Lower delay variance by converting E311, E611, and city-centre time bands into corridor-first route planning and permit gates.

What does “restricted road timings for commercial vehicles in Dubai” mean?

Restricted road timings mean defined hours when trucks and heavy vehicles lose legal access to specific roads, corridors, and areas in Dubai, enforced through traffic controls and permitting exceptions.

Which entities regulate and enforce commercial vehicle restrictions in Dubai?

Dubai’s restriction model sits under Dubai RTA traffic management and Dubai Police enforcement coordination in the published restriction announcements and outcomes reporting.

Which vehicle categories fall under the definition of “commercial vehicles”?

The restriction framework targets heavy vehicles and trucks, plus specific special-movement categories such as oversized cargo trucks that enter permit-controlled movement windows.

Main highways in Dubai: What are the restricted timings on E311, E611, and E11?

What are the restricted truck movement timings on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road E311?

On Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311), truck movement restriction applies on the corridor segment defined by The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), with three daily peak windows.

Restricted hours:

• Morning: 06:30 to 08:30 am
• Afternoon: 01:00 to 03:00 pm
• Evening: 05:30 to 08:00 pm

Which E311 segment is referenced for timing control?

The timing adjustment applies to the section from Ras Al Khor Road to Sharjah in both directions during peak traffic hours as of 28th April 2024.

What are the restricted truck movement timings on Emirates Road E611 toward Sharjah?

On Emirates Road (E611) toward Sharjah, RTA and Dubai Police announced a restriction banning trucks on Emirates Road between Al Awir Street and Sharjah from 5:30 to 08:00 pm, effective 1 January 2025.

What is the long-hour restriction pattern that applies to E11 and other major corridors?

The RTA enforces restrictions on truck movement along specific roads throughout Dubai at different times, depending on the area and road type. Trucks are permanently banned on major thoroughfares, including Al Ittihad Street, Meydan Street, and all crossings. Other routes, including Sheikh Zayed Road and residential neighbourhoods near Sharjah, such as Al Mizhar, Al Muhaisnah, and Oud Al Muteena, are subject to a 16-hour ban from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Which urban corridors carry peak-hour restrictions beyond the highways?

Medium-congestion urban areas are subject to truck movement restrictions during peak morning and evening hours. These include Airport Street, Oman Street, and Damascus Street, with restricted times as follows: 

• 06:30 to 08:30 am
• 01:00 to 03:00 pm
• 05:30 to 08:00 pm

Dubai main highway timing matrix for commercial vehicles and trucks

Restricted zones and restricted routes: Where do commercial vehicles lose access?

Which roads and assets fall under a complete 24-hour ban category?

Dubai Media Office lists a complete 24-hour Ban category that applies to the Airport Tunnel, Shindagha Tunnel, Al Maktoum Bridge, Floating Bridge, and Al Qudra Road.

Which roads are “always prohibited” in the RTA Emirates Road restriction notice?

Truck movement is always prohibited on Al Ittihad Street, Meydan Street, and all crossings in the Emirates Road restriction announcement.

What does “restricted zone” mean operationally for dispatch teams?

A restricted zone means a route touches a road or area where heavy vehicle access becomes prohibited by category and time band, and the trip requires either corridor avoidance or a permit-based exception inside the RTA mobility permit scope.

Which restricted zones commonly trigger “prohibited entry” violations for trucks?

The violation trigger aligns with entry into prohibited roads or prohibited areas under the restriction schedule and enforcement logic.

Approved routes: What counts as an “approved route” for truck movement in Dubai?

What is an approved route under restricted road timings?

An approved route is a route plan that aligns corridor crossings with allowed time bands, excludes complete-ban assets and always-prohibited crossings, and uses a mobility permit only when the permit scope matches banned time, banned road, or banned area conditions.

Which five attributes define route approval for restricted timings?

An approved route carries five measurable attributes.

1. Corridor alignment: Corridor list includes E311, E611, E11, and named urban corridors where applicable.
2. Time-band alignment: Planned crossing timestamps avoid restricted windows unless a permit exception exists.
3. Category exclusion: Complete-ban assets and always-prohibited crossings are excluded.
4. Permit match: Mobility permit exists for banned times, banned roads, and banned areas in limited cases.
5. Evidence readiness: Route sheet, permit ID, corridor timestamps, and plate-linked permit proof exist for enforcement review.

Permits: How does the RTA mobility permit work for banned times and banned roads?

What is the Mobility Permit for Heavy Vehicles in Banned Times and Roads?

It is an RTA Right-of-Way (ROW) service permit that covers limited cases for the circulation of heavy vehicles in banned times, on roads not intended for heavy vehicles, and in banned areas such as the city centre.

What is the permit cancellation and processing gate?

Application can be auto-cancelled if the applicant does not respond to the processor discussion or does not pay fees before expiry or within 15 days, whichever comes first.

What are the high-control permit scenarios in real operations?

High-control scenarios show three patterns.

1. Peak-hour corridor crossing where alternative route capacity exists.
2. City-centre access case where “banned areas” apply.
3. Oversized cargo movement where RTA references permits issued for 02:00 to 05:00 am movement.

The 02:00–05:00 window signals a separate curfew-style movement class for oversized cargo, with route and time discipline controlled by permit issuance.

Fines and penalties: What happens when a commercial vehicle enters a restricted road or area?

What is the penalty for a heavy vehicle’s prohibited entry into prohibited roads or areas?

The UAE traffic offences schedule lists AED 1,000 and 4 black points for heavy vehicle entry into prohibited roads or areas.

Which adjacent heavy-vehicle offences increase total exposure?

Adjacent offences raise operational risk because they often cluster with restricted-entry events.

• Heavy vehicle lane non-compliance: AED 1,500 and 12 black points.
• Running away from a traffic policeman (heavy vehicle): AED 1,000 and 16 black points.
• Non-stop after a minor accident (heavy vehicle): AED 1,000 and 16 black points.

How do fines tie back to restricted road timings in practice?

Fines are tied to restricted timings because the same route becomes legal or illegal based on the clock, and enforcement logic maps to “prohibited roads or areas” when the restriction window activates.

Fine exposure anchor for restricted road timing violations

Dispatch, cost, and procurement: What measured outcomes does Dubai report from expanded truck restrictions?

What is the cost mechanism behind restricted road timings?

Restricted road timings create cost via idle time, rerouting distance, driver hours, missed slots, and permit fees, while lowering incident probability when compliance rises.

What measurable safety and flow improvements does RTA report?

RTA reports outcomes on Emirates Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road after expanded restrictions.

• Dubai recorded a 36.8% reduction in the road traffic fatality rate per 100,000 residents during the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.
• Truck compliance increased 7.7% on Emirates Road and 5% on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (June 2025 vs November 2024).
• Average vehicle speed increased 26 km/h on Emirates Road and 19 km/h on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.
• Permits issued during restriction hours decreased 97% across both roads.

How much congestion reduction does RTA forecast for E311 timing adjustments?

RTA states the redistribution of truck movements across alternative routes is anticipated to decrease congestion by up to 15% during the restricted peak periods on the controlled E311 section.

What is the scale of the RTA truck rest-area program tied to restriction management?

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is constructing 19 trucks rest stops across key roads, covering more than 300,000 square metres, with capacity for around 1,000 trucks and heavy vehicles; the first phase includes 15 rest areas scheduled to operate in August 2024, with remaining development through the end of 2025.

What violation volume does Dubai Police cite for non-compliance in the restriction context?

The restriction notice records 792 violations in the year due to non-compliance with the truck movement ban timings.

What procurement clauses reduce dispute friction under restricted timings?

Three clauses reduce friction.

1. Restriction compliance clause: Carrier records show planned time bands per corridor.
2. Permit responsibility clause: Permit holder identity and permit ID control.

Evidence pack clause: Route plan, GPS trace, delivery slot confirmation, driver instructions.

District mapping: What corridor risks exist around DIFC, Downtown Dubai, and Business Bay?

What restriction categories apply to city-centre districts such as DIFC, Downtown, and Business Bay?

According to the prohibited timing, Dubai roads are classified into three categories:

1. Complete 24-hour Ban: Selected tunnels, bridges, and a road list.

2. Partial Ban (from 06:00 am to 10:00 pm): Applies to the city centre, Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Ittihad Road.

3. Intermittent Ban: Thrice during the day as follows:

• Morning Ban from 06:30 to 08:30 am
• A mid-day ban from 01:00 to 03:00 pm
• Evening Ban from 05:30 to 08:00 pm

It applies to the rest of the streets of Dubai on which the three-times curfew is applied.

What is the corridor risk model for DIFC, Downtown, and Business Bay?

These districts typically route through E11 city-centre exposure and connecting crossings, plus logistics-belt approaches that can touch E311 intermittent windows depending on origin and staging location. The risk model uses category and time-band overlap as the trigger, not district boundaries.

District corridor risk layer for restricted-zone planning

Corridor-first dispatch checklist: What controls fit city-centre trips (DIFC, Downtown, Business Bay)?

Step 1: Classify the trip as city-centre exposure

• Label the destination as the city centre category exposure for restricted road timings.
• Add E11 exposure flag if the approach uses the Sheikh Zayed Road category.

Step 2: Apply the time-band gate for city-centre access

• Apply the 06:00–22:00 partial-ban gate for the city centre and Sheikh Zayed Road.
• If the route origin or staging touches E311, apply the three intermittent windows: 06:30–08:30, 13:00–15:00, 17:30–20:00.

Step 3: Apply the complete-ban asset exclusion gate

• Exclude complete-ban assets listed in the classification, including Airport Tunnel and Shindagha Tunnel, plus named bridges.
• Exclude “always prohibited” crossings and named roads where applicable in the RTA Emirates Road notice.

Step 4: Select the approved route variant

• Select the route variant that avoids restricted windows and category bans, and logs corridor labels and planned crossing timestamps.
• Log the alternative route decision when the restriction windows block the primary corridor crossing. RTA references alternative routes as a redistribution mechanism.

Step 5: Apply the permit gate for banned times, roads, and areas

• If the trip requires circulation during banned times, on banned roads, or in city-centre banned areas, apply the RTA mobility permit gate.
• Apply the permit validity and status gate using the RTA 15-day cancellation rule as a control point.

Step 6: Produce the compliance evidence pack and archive the audit trail

• Archive permit ID, corridor labels, timestamps, and plate linkage evidence for enforcement queries. Dubai Media Office states that the permit links to the plate, and enforcement can identify violators without printed permits.
• Archive the prohibited-entry penalty anchor for dispute handling and fine mapping.

Permit evidence pack: What field-level documents reduce permit failure and dispute risk?

What is a permit evidence pack in restricted road timing operations?

A permit evidence pack is a field-level bundle that connects the mobility permit scope to the executed trip via permit ID, corridor labels, crossing timestamps, validity gates, and plate-linked proof.

What documents belong in the permit evidence pack?

Permit and authorization layer

• Mobility permit ID and service reference.
• Permit scope descriptor: banned times, banned roads, and banned areas.
• Payment and status proof aligned to the 15-day cancellation gate.

Vehicle and driver identity layer

• Plate number and vehicle category identifier.
• Driver identity and dispatch assignment identifier.

Route and timing layer

• Route plan with corridor labels: E11 city centre exposure, E311 exposure, E611 exposure where relevant.
• Planned corridor crossing timestamps matched to restricted windows.
• Exclusion list for complete-ban assets and always-prohibited roads and crossings.

Proof and dispute layer

• GPS trace extract with start time, end time, and corridor segments.
• Delivery slot confirmation from the receiving site, where applicable.
• Prohibited-entry penalty reference for fine mapping.

What documents belong in a permit evidence pack for banned times and banned roads?

1) Permit and authorization layer

• Mobility permit record and reference ID.
• Permit scope descriptor: banned time coverage, banned road coverage, banned area coverage (city centre).
• Payment confirmation and issue status evidence, aligned to the 15-day cancellation gate.

2) Vehicle and driver identity layer

• Vehicle plate number, vehicle category, operator name.
• Driver ID, license category, and dispatch assignment ID.

3) Route and timing layer

• Route plan showing corridor labels: E311, E611, E11, plus named streets if used.
• Planned corridor crossing timestamps, matched to restriction windows.
• Alternative route note when restrictions block the primary path.

4) Proof and dispute layer

• GPS trace extract for the trip (start time, end time, corridor segments).
• Delivery slot confirmation from the receiving site, when applicable.
• Violation mapping reference for prohibited entry, used in dispute handling.

Audit-trail fields for restricted road timings and permit validity

What is a “validity gate” workflow for permits in restricted timings?

A validity gate workflow is a three-check control that confirms the trip sits inside the permit scope and timing.

1. Scope check: Banned time, banned road, and banned area coverage.
2. Time check: Corridor crossing times compared to E311 and E611 windows, plus city-centre partial-ban category exposure.
3. Status check: Issued and paid state, aligned to the 15-day cancellation condition.

Myth vs reality: What do operators misread about restricted road timings?

Myth 1: One timing rule covers all roads.

Reality: RTA publishes multiple bands, including the three peak windows on E311, the Sharjah-direction evening window on E611, and the 06:00–22:00 band for other roads.

Myth 2: A mobility permit equals open access.

Reality: RTA defines mobility permits as “limited cases” for banned routes, banned times, and banned areas.

Myth 3: The program has no measurable output.

Reality: RTA publishes quantified outcomes, including 37 vs 75 incidents, +26 km/h and +19 km/h increases in average speed, and a 97% reduction in permits issued during restricted hours.

Key Takeaways: Three Gates to Fewer Fines and Faster Trips

Dubai’s truck restrictions are not “rules to remember.” They are a dispatch system to run. When your route plan treats E311 peak windows, the E611 Sharjah-direction evening band, and city-centre / E11 exposure as hard planning gates, delays stop being random. They become preventable. The best operators do not wait for a fine to learn a corridor. They plan by time band, avoid complete-ban assets, and use permits only when the job genuinely fits the banned time / banned road / banned area scope. That is how you protect delivery slots, driver hours, and customer confidence.

If you take one action from this guide, make it this: build a single dispatch checklist that requires three checks before wheels move: timing window, restricted asset exclusion, and permit validity. The result is fewer “prohibited entry” surprises, cleaner audit trails, and operations that stay fast even when Dubai’s roads are busy.

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