The Call That Used to Ruin Moving Schedules
It would come at 7:15 AM. The driver, stuck behind a line of trucks at the Al Garhoud Bridge approach, calling to say he couldn't cross until 9:30 because peak-hour restrictions had kicked in. Your move was supposed to start at 8:00. Your building's service elevator booking runs until 2:00 PM. And your entire day just got compressed into four and a half hours instead of six.
That call happens a lot less now. As of March 2026, RTA and Dubai Police extended a 24/7 truck movement permit across most Dubai roads — a significant change for the moving industry. But "most roads" doesn't mean all roads, and the exceptions happen to be on some of the most common moving routes in the city.
The Current Rules: What 24/7 Access Actually Means
The extended truck access permit — announced "until further notice" — applies to the majority of Dubai's road network including Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311), and most internal community roads.
What this means for your move: your moving truck can drive to and from your building at any time of day without worrying about peak-hour restrictions. An 8:00 AM start doesn't require the truck to have arrived before 6:30 AM to beat the old ban window. A late-afternoon finish doesn't risk the truck getting stuck behind an evening restriction.
For our crews, this has been transformative. We can schedule moves based on building elevator availability and client preference rather than road access windows. It's made early-morning and late-evening moves feasible for buildings that allow extended hours.
The Two Exceptions You Need to Know
Two critical tunnels remain restricted for heavy vehicles:
Airport Tunnel — runs under Dubai Creek near DXB Terminal 1, connecting Deira to Bur Dubai. Heavy trucks (including most moving vehicles above 2.5 tonnes) face time-based restrictions. This tunnel is the fastest route between Deira and the areas south of the Creek.
Al Shindagha Tunnel — runs under Dubai Creek between the Deira Waterfront and Al Shindagha/Bur Dubai. Same weight-based restrictions apply.
If your move involves crossing Dubai Creek — say, from Deira to Bur Dubai, or from Al Mamzar to Business Bay — the tunnel restrictions affect your route.
Alternative Creek Crossings for Moving Trucks
When the tunnels are restricted, professional movers use bridge crossings instead:
- Al Garhoud Bridge: Open to trucks 24/7 under current rules. The go-to Creek crossing for moves between Deira and areas south of the airport.
- Al Maktoum Bridge: Also open 24/7. Connects old Deira to Bur Dubai. Slightly more congested during peak hours but no truck restrictions.
- Business Bay Crossing: Open to trucks. Good for Deira-to-Business Bay routes that would otherwise use Al Shindagha Tunnel.
- Floating Bridge: Has periodic closures for maritime traffic and isn't suitable for heavy moving trucks. Don't rely on it.
The bridge routes add 10–20 minutes compared to the tunnel routes, depending on traffic. Your mover should factor this into the schedule for Creek-crossing moves.
What the Previous Restrictions Looked Like
Understanding the old rules matters because they could return. Before the 24/7 extension, truck movement on major roads was banned during these windows:
- Morning peak: 6:30–8:30 AM on most SZR segments and major arterials
- Midday break: 1:00–3:00 PM on some routes (including Airport Street and parts of E311)
- Evening peak: 5:30–8:00 PM across SZR, Damascus Street, Oman Street
Under those rules, a moving truck heading from JLT to Downtown needed to either depart before 6:30 AM or wait until 8:30 AM. A return trip in the afternoon required leaving before 1:00 PM or waiting until 3:00 PM. The scheduling gymnastics were real — and costly, because idle truck time isn't free.
The 24/7 extension has been active for several months, but it's described as "until further notice" — meaning RTA could reinstate time-based restrictions without advance warning. If you're planning a move in peak traffic hours, confirm current rules with your mover at booking time.
Vehicle Categories: Why Your Mover's Truck Matters
Not all moving trucks face the same restrictions. RTA categories matter:
- Light trucks (under 2.5 tonnes GVW): Typically exempt from heavy vehicle restrictions. These are pickup trucks and small vans used for single-item moves and studio relocations.
- Medium trucks (2.5–10 tonnes GVW): The standard moving truck category. Subject to tunnel restrictions and any road-specific bans. This is what SAMA Movers uses for most 1–3 bed apartment moves.
- Heavy trucks (10+ tonnes GVW): Used for villa moves and large office relocations. Subject to all restrictions plus additional permit requirements for certain routes.
Your mover's vehicle registration category determines which rules apply. A professional mover knows which vehicle to deploy for your route. If you're doing a DIY move with a rented truck, check the vehicle category on the registration card before planning your route.
The RTA Heavy Vehicle Mobility Permit
For oversized loads — large-format furniture, industrial equipment, or anything requiring a vehicle wider or taller than standard dimensions — movers need an RTA Heavy Vehicle Mobility Permit. This is separate from the general truck access rules.
The permit covers:
- Specific route approval for oversized cargo
- Time window allocation (usually night hours for severely oversized loads)
- Police escort requirements for loads exceeding certain dimensions
Standard household moves don't need this. But if you're relocating a warehouse or moving industrial equipment, your mover should handle the permit application. Processing takes 3–5 business days. SAMA Movers holds standing permits for most Dubai routes.
What This Means for Scheduling Your Move
With 24/7 road access on most routes, the actual scheduling constraints for your move are now:
- Building elevator availability: This is the real bottleneck. Most buildings allocate service elevator time in 4–6 hour blocks. Check our service elevator guide for building-specific rules.
- Building management permit hours: Typically 8:00 AM–6:00 PM, with some buildings allowing 7:00 AM starts. Our permit guide covers the application process.
- Your personal preference: Early morning starts mean less heat and lighter traffic. Late morning starts give you time to prepare. Afternoon moves can be cheaper (less demand) but run into evening heat.
- Creek-crossing routes: If your move crosses the Creek, add 15–20 minutes for bridge routing around tunnel restrictions.
The practical advice: book your building elevator first, confirm your mover's vehicle category matches the route, and don't worry about road access. The 24/7 extension has removed the biggest logistical headache in Dubai moving.
Sharjah and Ajman: Different Emirates, Different Rules
If your move crosses emirate boundaries — inter-emirate moves between Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman — be aware that each emirate has its own truck movement regulations.
Sharjah maintains peak-hour restrictions on several key roads including King Faisal Road and Al Wahda Street. Moving trucks heading into or out of Sharjah during morning and evening rush hours may face delays or need alternative routing.
Ajman has fewer restrictions due to lower traffic volumes, but some main roads near the Corniche and City Centre Ajman have time-based commercial vehicle limits.
For inter-emirate moves, your mover needs to comply with both emirates' regulations for the same trip. This is one of those cases where using a mover experienced in cross-emirate logistics — like our teams who handle apartment moves and villa relocations across all three emirates — makes a genuine difference.
Need to plan around these rules? Get a free estimate and our dispatch team will map the optimal route and timing for your specific move.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can moving trucks drive on Dubai roads at any time?
As of March 2026, most Dubai roads allow 24/7 truck access under an extended RTA/Dubai Police permit. However, Airport Tunnel and Al Shindagha Tunnel remain restricted for heavy vehicles. Trucks can use Al Garhoud Bridge, Al Maktoum Bridge, or Business Bay Crossing as alternatives for Dubai Creek crossings at any time.
Which Dubai roads are still restricted for moving trucks?
Airport Tunnel (under Dubai Creek near DXB Terminal 1) and Al Shindagha Tunnel (under Dubai Creek between Deira Waterfront and Bur Dubai) still have weight-based restrictions for vehicles above 2.5 tonnes. All bridge crossings over the Creek — Al Garhoud, Al Maktoum, and Business Bay Crossing — remain open to trucks.
Do Sharjah and Ajman have truck restrictions?
Yes. Sharjah maintains peak-hour truck restrictions on King Faisal Road, Al Wahda Street, and other main roads. Ajman has limited restrictions near the Corniche area. For inter-emirate moves, your mover must comply with each emirate's regulations. Routes and timing should be planned according to the strictest applicable rules.
