By Daily Times | July 13, 2026
Abu Dhabi Mobility has unveiled the emirate’s first dedicated licence plates for autonomous vehicles, marking a major step in regulating self-driving transport on Abu Dhabi roads.
The initiative, launched under the supervision of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council, is designed to support the growing use of smart mobility technologies and provide a clear framework for both testing and commercial operations of autonomous vehicles.
The new plates are divided into two categories:
- Auto Drive: for vehicles offering commercial autonomous services.
- Test: for vehicles participating in testing and pilot programmes.
Both plate types feature a distinctive blue design, making autonomous vehicles easily identifiable to road users and enforcement authorities.
Officials said the specialised plates will help authorities monitor autonomous vehicles more effectively, improve field inspections and enhance road safety as self-driving technologies become more widely deployed across the emirate.
The plates are also linked to the licensing and operational requirements approved for autonomous vehicles, ensuring that companies comply with Abu Dhabi’s technical and safety standards.
The launch comes as Abu Dhabi continues to expand autonomous vehicle operations through commercial services and pilot projects conducted by specialised technology companies. Authorities expect the initiative to strengthen the emirate’s regulatory framework by enabling the collection and analysis of operational data, which will help shape future policies governing autonomous transport.
According to Abu Dhabi Mobility, the move reinforces the emirate’s ambition to build a comprehensive regulatory and operational environment that supports the safe testing, deployment and scaling of autonomous vehicles in line with international standards.
