Self-Driving Vehicles in the UAE

تيم إليوت
Welcome to Lawgical, the first regular podcast that navigates the latest legal updates shaping the United Arab Emirates. I’m Tim Elliott. As always, I’m with Ludmila Yamalova, managing partner of the Dubai-based legal firm Yamalova & Plewka. Good to be talking to you once again, Ludmila.

لودميلا يامالوفا
Good to be talking to you too, Tim, as always. Thanks for being here.

تيم إليوت
We’re moving forward today, Ludmila. We’re delving into the future—self-driving vehicles. Let’s start on a personal note. You’ve had some firsthand experience with self-driving vehicles recently, haven’t you?

لودميلا يامالوفا
Believe it or not, I have. And honestly, I never thought I’d be one of the first to experience it, let alone take an interest in it. Cars have never been my thing—not something I’m curious about, especially new or advanced vehicles. And as for self-driving vehicles, I thought, “What’s the big deal?”

I’d heard about the UAE testing autonomous vehicles and saw some in Abu Dhabi. I even remember people pointing at them, saying, “Look, that’s an autonomous vehicle.” I just thought, “Okay, whatever. It’s futuristic.” It wasn’t something I imagined talking about until I visited San Francisco over the summer.

San Francisco is a bit like a hometown for me, as I started my career there before moving to the UAE. During my visit, I noticed these strange vehicles all over the city—futuristic-looking cars with sensors on top and around them. My husband, who was curious about them, explained they were self-driving cars operated by Waymo, a company leading this technology in San Francisco.

تيم إليوت
And you decided to try one?

لودميلا يامالوفا
Yes, but it wasn’t my idea—it was my husband’s. He downloaded the app, and we booked a ride. The experience was surreal. The cars were everywhere, sometimes traveling in groups, and we learned they do this to share data and “learn” from each other. Watching them move and stop without a driver behind the wheel was almost spooky.

When our first car arrived, I didn’t realize it displays your initials to identify your ride. I ran to the wrong car, but it wouldn’t respond because it wasn’t assigned to me. Eventually, I figured it out and got into the right one. It felt like a regular car—seats, a steering wheel—but no driver. The Waymo app allows you to customize the experience, from setting the temperature to choosing music.

Sitting in the back, seeing the wheel turn with no one holding it—it’s hard to describe just how surreal that feels. If you need to stop or make adjustments, you communicate through the app. For instance, my husband needed more legroom, but there was no manual way to move the seat. We had to contact a controller who could adjust it remotely or stop the car for us to do it.

تيم إليوت
That sounds both fascinating and a bit frustrating.

لودميلا يامالوفا
It was a mix of both. The whole system is intelligent, but there are still quirks. Despite that, we loved it. We ended up using Waymo cars for most of our trip. Everything is seamless—location, payment, temperature, and music—all predetermined. The rides were smooth and efficient, much like using Uber or Careem, but with a futuristic twist.

However, I later learned that most San Francisco residents dislike these self-driving cars. Locals associate them with tourists like us, who are excited to try them. But I have to admit, I found the experience incredibly cool.

تيم إليوت
It sounds like your perspective on self-driving cars has changed.

لودميلا يامالوفا
Completely. Before, I dismissed the idea, but now I see the potential. When the UAE introduced a new traffic law in September 2024 with a dedicated section for self-driving vehicles, I realized this is no longer just theoretical—it’s happening. And having experienced it firsthand, I find it exciting.

The new law, Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024, replaces the previous traffic law from 1995. It introduces a robust legal framework for autonomous vehicles, showing the UAE’s commitment to integrating this technology into everyday life.

تيم إليوت
It’s amazing how far technology has come. This new law sets the stage for a significant transformation in transportation.

لودميلا يامالوفا
Absolutely. The UAE is laying the groundwork by defining the roles of key authorities like the Council of Ministers, Traffic Control Authority, and Licensing Authority. Each will oversee aspects such as regulations, safety, and digital infrastructure for licensing and registration.

The law emphasizes safety, requiring rigorous testing before vehicles hit the road. This measured approach ensures the technology meets the highest standards.

تيم إليوت
It sounds like the UAE is positioning itself as a leader in autonomous vehicle adoption.

لودميلا يامالوفا
Exactly. The UAE is proactive, not reactive, in embracing change. Whether it’s the Metro, the tram, or now self-driving vehicles, the country has a track record of successfully implementing innovative solutions.

تيم إليوت
It’s exciting to think about where this might lead. Perhaps flying cars are next!

لودميلا يامالوفا
Who knows? With the UAE’s focus on AI and digital transformation, the possibilities are endless.

تيم إليوت
That wraps up another episode of Lawgical, focusing on self-driving vehicles in the UAE under new regulations. Thanks to our legal expert, Ludmila Yamalova, managing partner at Yamalova & Plewka, for sharing her insights and experiences.

لودميلا يامالوفا
Thank you, Tim. It’s been a pleasure.

تيم إليوت
For more UAE-centric legal information, visit lylawyers.com. You’ll find hundreds of free resources and podcasts there. If you have a legal question, feel free to reach out via the website. Find us across social media, including Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Thanks for listening and watching!