Rule banning 20-year-old vehicles postponed

Dubai: Vehicles more than 20 years old will still be allowed on the UAE's roads following instruction from President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The decision, issued on Sunday, postpones implementation of ministerial decision No. 535, 2008, which bans vehicles older than 20 years old on the country's roads. The decision was directed to take effect from Monday, December 1.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior, Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior said on Sunday that the decision was suspended, which set a cut-off date for the renewal of car registrations, for cars manufactured from 1988.

This previous decision was due to take effect from December 1.

More studies

Shaikh Saif said that the decision was postponed in order to give enough time for people of low income who own such vehicles, to continue using them.

"Shaikh Khalifa's decision is timely and aims to allow concerned authorities to conduct more studies and come up with suitable bylaws to put the ministerial decision into effect," Shaikh Saif said.

He thanked Shaikh Khalifa for his wise leadership and for serving the best interests of the UAE public.

Earlier, the ministry announced a decision that the registration of cars manufactured before 1988 would not be renewed, while the import of cars manufactured five years earlier would be banned.

The registration for cars manufactured 15 years ago would also not be renewed from January 2010.

In November, Gulf News reported that a total of 423,000 cars throughout the UAE would not be available for sale, under the ten-year old car rule.

However, while sale of the cars would be prohibited, registration could have been renewed for the current owners to continue using.

The total number of cars in the UAE was 1.85 million in November, putting the Emirates among nations with the highest car ownership per population in the world.

In Dubai, there are 541 cars per 1,000 of the population, which is the highest throughout the UAE.

I am deeply thankful to Shaikh Khalifa's decision for postponing this rule banning 20-year-old cars. Arrogant drivers cause accidents and trouble on the road,not old cars.
Rene
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 09:07

I am greatly thankful to His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of UAE for taking this very wise and timely decision of giving a chance to middle class people to continue driving very affordable cars.
Ibrahim Gilani
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 08:42

It is a timely and laudable move and will bring relief to so many low income people who were somehow managing with the high costs of living, while now many more have to deal with uncertain times due to economic woes, credit freeze and job redundancies. Hats off to the wise leadership.
Jerome Quadros
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 08:36

This is good so the owners of old cars would have some more time and won't be pressured.
From a reader
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 08:22

I am thankful to His Highness Shaikh Khalifa for this great gesture.
Faheem
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 08:05

I appreciate HH Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed for the timely decision. He understands the financial condition of the people.
Raja
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 08:02

Thanks to His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for taking this wise step which will be a relief to thousands of low income people.
Aftab
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 07:46

Banning old cars is not the solution to the UAE worsening traffic, there are other solution to improve the traffic situation.His Highness Sheikh Khalifa has made a wise move, he is really a good leader. Thanks to His Highness
Armando Mallari
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 07:34

Yet again, His Highness the president of the UAE shows another example of wonderful and wise leadership. Happy UAE national day.
Nawfal Al Jourani
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 07:25

This is great help for people who own old cars which are still running.
Prakash Kumar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 07:24

A well anticipated gesture from His Highness. What could be a better gift on the 37th National Day. God bless HH Shaikh Khalifa and his associates.
Shahzad Siddiqui
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 07:21

This the very good decision and will be a great help for people of different incomes.
Girish aswani
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 06:28

God bless His Highness Sheikh Khalifa for his kindness. If old cars are causing pollution, imagine what the making of new cars would do!
Sayed Mohammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 00:41

A wise decision from a wise Leader.During times of economic instability, this car rule can wait.
Pedro
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 00:23

This is a great decision which relieved me! I have lately bought an old car which works in great condition. My children have gotten attached to it and I thought that with this rule I would be forced to sell it.Happy National Day to all the people of UAE.
Naeem
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 00:22