Hamdan bin Mohammed endorses rules of using and licensing recreational motorbikes and jet skis

The rules tasked the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) with the responsibility of licensing & registering recreational motorbikes and jet skis.

According to the provisions of using & licensing recreational motorbikes, no one is permitted to drive or practice the business of renting recreational motorbikes, unless a prior license is obtained from RTA Licensing Agency, for using in non-paved areas specified by the RTA. Drivers of recreational motorbikes are not allowed to drive in paved roads, residential areas, internal areas or coastal areas in the emirate.

The Rule stipulated that the driver of recreational motorbikes shall be of at least 16 years of age. Those below this age limit may use recreational motorbikes under the supervision of their custodians; provided that they shall have the mental & physical power to drive these bikes. They shall also be well acquainted with the rules of operating and using these bikes. Drivers have to wear clothing designated for driving these bikes, such as protective helmet, and abide by safety stipulations & requirements detailed in the implementation chart of this Rule. Rental offices have to verify that hirers of those bikes fulfill these conditions.

The Rule provided that the applicant shall provide comprehensive insurance coverage of the recreational motorbike against accidents and civil liability from a licensed insurance Co. in the emirate. Recreational motorbikes licensed under this Rule shall be registered with the RTA Licensing Agency. To license recreational motorbikes owned by natural persons, users have to attend traffic safety courses organized by sale dealers or concerned institutes.

The Rule set the validity of the license to practice the business of using and renting recreational motorbikes as one year, renewable for a similar period under the same conditions & requirements, provided the renewal application shall be submitted to the concerned department within 30 days of the date of license expiry.

The Rule empowered the RTA to draw up conditions & instructions necessary for monitoring, surveillance and inspection of rental offices of such recreational motorbikes, as well as their locations and fleet of bikes. RTA is to verify compliance with the terms & conditions provided for in this Rule and its Implementation Chart.

The Rule detailed the fees of registration, renewal and inspection of recreational motorbikes as follows: registration fees: Dhs300, renewal fees: Dhs300, technical inspection: Dhs100, licensing a rental office of recreational motorbikes: Dhs1000, renewal the licensing of a rental office of recreational motorbikes: Dhs1000.

The Rule stipulated 10 types of offences and fines ranging from Dhs100 to Dhs500 for the first offence. The fine rises to the range from Dhs200 up to Dhs1000 in the second occurrence. The bike will be impounded for one month in case the offence is repeated for the third time or more. The Rule called for impounding the bikes the owner of which is practicing the business of recreational motorbikes rental without a license, till the offender's attitude is legalized.

Jet Skis:

The Rule governing the use and licensing of jet skis in the emirate of Dubai prohibits any natural person or corporate body to practice the business of renting jet skis without obtaining a prior permit from the RTA, within the maritime areas specified by the RTA. Jet skis could be used in any maritime zone specified by the RTA, if they were licensed by a competent body in any emirate of the UAE.

The Rule tasked RTA Marine Agency with the responsibility of licensing jet skis. It stipulated that the driver of the Jet Ski shall not be of less than 14 years of age, unless escorted by a custodian or a qualified coach, provided the driver has the mental & physical strength to drive these jet skis. The driver shall also be knowledgeable in operating & driving these jet skis, wear the specified clothing including a life-jacket, and comply with safety stipulations & requirements. The applicant shall provide comprehensive insurance coverage of the Jet Ski against accidents and civil liability from a licensed insurance Co. in the emirate. The validity of the license shall be two years for individual use of jet skis, and one year for practicing the business of renting jet skis by companies and rental offices. The license is renewable for similar periods under the same terms & conditions, provided the renewal application is submitted to the concerned department within 30 days of the date of license expiry.

The Rule stated that the license holder shall, before abdicating or dealing in the license by any means, notify the competent authority. The concerned department in the Agency may issue temporary permits to jet skis taking part in Jet Ski races. The Rule specifies areas within which the use and renting of jet skis is permitted, along with the conditions to be provided at the specified locations for practicing this business.

The Rule empowered RTA Marine Agency to draw up the conditions & instructions necessary for monitoring, surveillance and inspection of rental offices of jet skis, along with their locations and jet skis fleet so as to verify their compliance with the conditions and specifications provided for in the Rule. Marine Agency employees shall be entitled to act in the capacity of judicial administrators in establishing actions and offences.

The Rule detailed the fees of renewing, testing and licensing jet skis as follows: technical testing: Dhs200, technical testing of racing jet skis: Dhs500, issuing or renewing the license for jet skis rental office: Dhs5000, licensing or renewing registration of jet skis: Dhs500 (for jet skis owned by individuals) and Dhs3000 (for jet skis owned by rental offices). Fees of licensing or renewing a license for a coach or a licensing office are Dhs1000.

The Rule divided offences related to using jet skis into two categories; the first is related to individual with a fine ranging from Dhs200 to Dhs500, along with impounding the jet ski for one or two weeks. In the event of reoccurrence, the fine will be stepped up to range from Dhs400 to Dhs1000, and the Jet Ski may be impounded for a period from one week to one month. Should the offence be repeated for the third time, the fine will range from Dhs600 to Dhs1500 and the Jet Ski may be impounded for a period ranging from a week to one month, however, the period may be extend till such a time the reasons for impounding the jet ski are eliminated.

As far as offences and fines imposed on rental offices of jet skis are concerned, the Rule stated the fine against the first occurrence range from Dhs200 to Dhs2000 plus impounding the Jet Ski for one week, and in some cases the rental office is ordered to cease business. In the second occurrence, the fine will be upped to a bracket from Dhs600 to Dhs4000 along with impounding the jet ski for one or two weeks, and may even be extended till the reasons for impounding jet skis are eliminated. In the third occurrence, the fine will range from Dhs600 to Dhs6000, the Jet Ski will be impounded, and the rental office will be ordered to cease business.