Dubai to Build 19 Truck Parking Stops and Lay-bys by 2025
By Yoga Laxmi . 6 Jul 2024
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is building 16 new truck parking, along with 3 lay-bys, in key areas around the city. This project is a team effort with private companies, including one lay-by with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and two with Almutakamela Vehicle Testing and Registration. Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the RTA Board of Executive Directors said that these truck parking and lay-bys can bring down truck-related accidents by 50%. This initiative directly addresses one of the most persistent challenges facing truck drivers in Dubai — the lack of safe, designated areas to stop, rest, and carry out basic vehicle checks during long hauls across the emirate.
The first part of this project, which includes 15 rest areas, will start operating in August 2024. The work to finish the rest of the areas will continue until the end of 2025. Once fully operational, this network of truck stops and lay-bys will be one of the most comprehensive heavy vehicle rest infrastructure systems in the entire GCC region.
Convenient Locations and Space
These new truck parking and lay-bys cover a huge area of over 300,000 square meters altogether and can fit more than 1,000 trucks. This will make it easier for trucks to find safe places to stop and rest. These will be in important places like:
- Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road
- Emirates Road
- Dubai-Hatta Road
- Dubai-Al Ain Road
- Jebel Ali – Lehbab Road
- Al Aweer Road
RTA's lay-bys in Dubai cover a total area of over 226,000 square meters. Each lay-by can hold between 120 and 200 trucks and heavy vehicles. The strategic placement of these facilities along Dubai's busiest freight corridors ensures that drivers never have to travel far from their route to find a safe and fully equipped place to rest, reducing the temptation to stop illegally on road shoulders or in unsafe locations.
| Lay-by Location | Area (sqm) | Capacity | Managed by |
| Jebel Ali Lay-by | 100,000 | ~200 trucks | Almutakamela Vehicle Testing and Registration |
| Emirates Road Lay-by | 76,000 | ~150 trucks | RTA & ADNOC |
| Dubai Industrial City Lay-by | 51,000 | ~120 trucks | Almutakamela Vehicle Testing and Registration |
Jebel Ali Lay-by: Located on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road near Jebel Ali Free Zone and Al Maktoum International Airport, this facility is managed by Almutakamela Vehicle Testing and Registration. It covers 100,000 square meters and can accommodate about 200 trucks. Its proximity to Jebel Ali Port makes it an ideal rest point for drivers transporting container cargo between the port and destinations across Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
Emirates Road Lay-by: Situated near Emirates Road next to the Al Tayy Racetrack, this lay-by covers 76,000 square meters and can host 150 trucks. RTA and ADNOC are collaborating on this project. The ADNOC partnership ensures reliable diesel refueling facilities are available on site, making it a fully self-contained rest stop for drivers on the busy Emirates Road corridor.
Dubai Industrial City Lay-by: Another lay-by by Almutakamela Vehicle Testing and Registration, located near the entry to Dubai Industrial City, covers 51,000 square meters and can accommodate 120 trucks. Its location at the gateway to one of Dubai's largest industrial zones makes it a critical facility for drivers delivering to and collecting from the hundreds of manufacturing and warehousing businesses operating within Dubai Industrial City.
RTA and ADNOC are also working on 16 truck parking and stops across these key locations. Each truck stop spans between 5,000 to 10,000 square meters and can accommodate 30 to 40 trucks. These smaller stops are designed to complement the three large lay-bys by providing more frequently spaced rest points along Dubai's major freight routes, ensuring drivers always have a nearby option regardless of which road they are travelling on.
What Drivers Can Expect?
Each truck stop and lay-by will offer everything a truck driver might need. There will be places to refuel with diesel, motels for resting, workshops for repairs, and even prayer rooms. Drivers can also find restaurants, clinics, pharmacies, and places to do laundry. These services are meant to make life easier for drivers who spend a lot of time on the road. The inclusion of clinics and pharmacies is particularly important given that many truck drivers work long shifts with limited access to basic healthcare, and having these services on-site ensures drivers can address minor health concerns without leaving their route or taking extended breaks.
| Service | Available At |
| Diesel refueling | All truck stops and lay-bys |
| Motels / rest areas | All truck stops and lay-bys |
| Vehicle repair workshops | All truck stops and lay-bys |
| Prayer rooms | All truck stops and lay-bys |
| Restaurants | All truck stops and lay-bys |
| Clinics and pharmacies | All truck stops and lay-bys |
| Laundry facilities | All truck stops and lay-bys |
Conclusion
Dubai's plan to build more truck parking and lay-bys for trucks is a big step towards making roads safer and more comfortable for drivers. By choosing good locations and offering lots of helpful services, RTA is showing they care about the people who work hard to keep things moving in the city. This project not only improves Dubai's transportation but also shows their commitment to making life better for everyone who lives and works there. For truck drivers and fleet operators, these new facilities represent a meaningful improvement in working conditions and a practical tool for maintaining compliance with UAE rest and driving hour regulations.
These modern rest stops will be crucial as green fleets expand under the framework of How Electric Trucks Are Evolving in the UAE.