20-year-old cars to be driven off roads from next month

Abu Dhabi: About 68,000 vehicles will go off UAE roads by the end of next year as the programme to phase out old cars begins, a senior police official told Gulf News.

"By December 2009, the streets of UAE will be relieved of 68,000 old cars," said Colonel Gaith Al Za'abi, head of the traffic department at the Ministry of Interior, on Tuesday in an exclusive interview.

Authorities would start phasing out cars older than 20 years from the beginning of next month. The decision is aimed at easing traffic congestion and curbing motor vehicle pollution, said Al Za'abi.

Export plans

In addition to that, old cars hinder traffic and could cause accidents if they break down, he added.

As the phasing out continues, by 2010 approximately 200,000 cars will be banned from the streets, with the authorities renewing registration of only cars less than 15 years old.

Vehicles which are 20 years or older as of December 1, cannot have their registration renewed.

However, if the registration of such a car expires before December 1, it will be renewed for one year. Usually, cars are renewed for three years.

"These banned old vehicles may be sold to workshops or exported to another country," he said.

Traffic officials are in talks with the environment authorities to chart out a mechanism for the public to dispose of their old cars.

Taxis older than five years will not be allowed as these vehicles cover long distances in a short time and cause more pollution, he said.

"Around 12,000 taxis will be banned within end of next year," according to him "The banning of the vehicles, more than 15 years old will happen in phases to ensure a smooth process. And since the interior ministry announced the decision earlier this year, people have been given ample time to be prepared."

Brochures

In order to educate vehicle owners about the new regulations, the ministry will distribute around 200,000 brochures printed in Arabic, English and Urdu, he said.

The ministry will shortly issue a list of contact numbers of the departments concerned in all seven emirates so that the public may get clarifications on the procedures.

The import of light vehicles older than five years and heavy vehicles older than seven years will be banned once the new regulations are implemented.

But, classic and antique cars are exempt from this rule, provided they pass the necessary vehicle tests.

Ban on:

- Cars older than 20 years (as of December 1, 2008)

- Import of cars older than 5 years

- Import of heavy vehicles older than 7 years

- Taxis older than 5 years

- Ownership transfer of light vehicles older than 10 years for use within the country

- From January 1, 2010

- Ban on cars older than 15 years

- New regulations for a cleaner environment

- Cutting down carbon monoxide emission

- The maximum permitted carbon monoxide lvel in exhaust will be reduced from 4.5 per cent to 3.5 per cent from 2009. This will be further cut to 2.5 per cent from January 2010.

- Screening of exhaust gases for oxides of nitrogen from 2009

- The maximum permitted hydrocarbon emission in vehicle exhaust will be reduced from 800 to 500 parts per million (ppm) from 2009. This will be further cut to 300 ppm from January 2010.

How old is your car? Will you be affected by this new rule? How will the move impact traffic congestion and pollution? Fill in the form bellow to send your comments.

It is good, polution free and safe for all.
Shaik Sawood
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2008, 10:11

What about the buses and trucks? They are sometimes even in worse condition than the cars. This rule should be applied on them too.
Bert
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2008, 10:05

Cars should be checked for their condition and emissions and not age.
From a reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2008, 10:02

I think authorities should consider the condition of the vehicle as well as emission of the pollution. If a private vehicle is in a very good condition then I think people should be allowed to use it up to 20 years
From a reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2008, 10:02

My car is not that old so I wont be affected by this rule. I thank the authorities for setting such rules for a safer environment. I do not think that this will reduce the traffic though.
Suhail
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2008, 09:34

I can't agree more with this rule. Cars which are old and poorly maintained emit more pollution and have higher accident and breakdown risks.
Audrey Chang
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2008, 09:29

This is a great rule which should have been implemented a long time ago.
Gopal
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2008, 09:22

They should check the quality of the cars and see of they can be used or not.
Ron
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2008, 09:12

I think this is a good decision by authorities. Old cars cause pollution and should be banned.
Lenin
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2008, 08:45

This will minimize the traffic. A lot of very old cars are on the street and they are causing pollution
Welson
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2008, 08:43

Authorities should also check how far the cars have been driven in how much time. Without considering that, many good cars will go to trash and many new cars will continue to pollute.
Anjan
Dubai,United Arab Emirates
Posted: November 05, 2008, 08:36

I am glad that I will not be affected by this new rule as my car just completed two years in October.
Suzette de Jonk
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2008, 07:55

I have an old car but it is in a good condition. I think the authorities should check the old cars before banning them. There are actually new cars out on the road and they cause more problems than old cars.
Mark
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2008, 07:54

This is a great move to keep our environment clean and our roads safe.
Jo Toms
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2008, 07:50

I really do not think that this is a great idea. The UAE is trying to cut pollution and become more environmentally friendly. Think of the amount of waste this procedure is going to create. The production of new cars also involves industrial processes that cause pollution.
Jane
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2008, 07:15

Removing old cars will not decrease the traffic congestion as people will have to buy new cars for their use.
Ravi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2008, 07:15

I have an old car which i have been rebuilding. What will happen to that?
Sacco Dermoussissian
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2008, 06:57

It will definitely help with reducing pollution and will Indirectly influence congestion issues as well.
Fynali Iladijas
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2008, 06:55