UAE Child Front Seat Law: Age 10 Minimum

Dubai/UAE Front Seat Age Restriction

Under UAE Federal Traffic Law (amended 2017), children under 10 years old are prohibited from sitting in the front seat of any vehicle.

Key Regulations

• Age threshold: 10 years (not height/weight based)
• Applies to: All vehicles, all emirates
• Enforcement: Police checks; fines (AED 400 + 4 black points)
• Child restraints: Children under 4 must use approved car seat (rear-facing <1 yr)
• Seat belts: Mandatory for all occupants

Rationale

• Airbag deployment force lethal to small children
• Frontal collision dynamics favor rear seating
• Aligns with international best practice (WHO, UNECE)

Practical Advice

• Keep children <10 in rear seats with appropriate restraints
• If only front seat available (e.g., 2-seater), child must be ≥10
• Taxis/rideshares: Same rules apply; request child seat when booking

The 2017 amendment significantly tightened previous rules (which allowed front seat at any age with seat belt).