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RTA licence must for riders, quad bikes, JetSkis

DUBAI — The riders of quad bikes and their vehicles need to have licences from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), a top official said on Saturday.

The official added that those intending to start the business of renting water scooters like JetSkis in Dubai must also have a prior permit from the RTA.

The regulations approved by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, have been introduced to control the safety threat posed by quad bikers in the emirate, the official said in a Press release.

"No one is permitted to ride or carry out a rental business of recreational motorbikes, unless he/she obtains a licence from the Licensing Agency at the RTA. The riders of these bikes need to be above 16 years. They are not allowed to drive on paved roads, and in residential and coastal areas," he said.

Those who are below the age limit could ride these vehicles only under proper supervision.

"The riders also need to be well acquainted with the rules of operating these mobikes. They have to wear the designated clothes and gears such as helmets, and abide by safety stipulations. It will be the duty of the rental offices to verify that the ones who are hiring the bikes fulfil these conditions. The validity of the licence for using and renting such motorbikes would be for one year and it could be renewed for another year. The application for renewal must be submitted to the department within 30 days of the date of licence expiry," the official added.

The persons intending to start the business of renting such mobikes must ensure that their vehicles are insured with a licensed insurance company. In case of private ownership, the users have to attend traffic safety courses organised by sale dealers or the institutes concerned, the officials added.

The regulations for water scooters like JetSkis are also the same.

"No one can carry out the business of renting out JetSkis without permit from the RTA. JetSkis could be used in any maritime zone specified by the RTA if they are licensed by a competent body in any of the emirates. In Dubai, the they would be licensed by the Marine Agency of the RTA. The driver of the JetSki should ber 14 or above. If he is below the age limit, the person must be escorted by a custodian or a qualified coach," officials said.

"The rider shall be knowledgeable in operating and driving JetSkis, wear the specified clothing including a life jacket, and comply with the safety stipulations. There must be a proper insurance cover for the vehicle and the validity of the licence shall be two years for individual use and one year for rental companies," he said.

The department concerned may issue temporary permits to JetSkis taking part in races. Both the Licensing Agency and the Marine Agency would draft the conditions and instructions necessary for monitoring and inspection of rental offices.

In the case of quad bikes, 10 types of offences have been identified and fines ranging from Dh100 to Dh1,000 will be slapped on the rider. The bike will be impounded for one month in case the offence is repeated for the third time or more, the official added.

In case of JetSkis, the fines range from Dh200 to Dh6,000 and the vehicle would be impounded and the business asked to shut down for repeated offence.

• UAE