Abu Dhabi prepares for a huge New Year’s Eve, but drivers should note new road rules. Specifically, any Labour Bus will be prohibited from using the E22 highway starting midday on December 31. This move by Abu Dhabi Mobility aims to keep holiday traffic flowing without bottlenecks as residents watch record-breaking fireworks.
Restricted Zones and Timing Details
The Integrated Transport Centre, now known as Abu Dhabi Mobility, has teamed up with the Abu Dhabi Police to implement these temporary changes. The goal is simple: clear the busiest arteries to make room for families and tourists celebrating the arrival of 2026.
If your work or commute involves heavy transport, keep these specific windows in mind:
- Abu Dhabi–Al Ain Road (E22): The restriction for buses transporting workers starts on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 12:00 PM (noon) and lasts until Thursday, January 1, 2026, at 6:00 AM.
- Hazza Bin Sultan Street (Al Ain): Heavy vehicles and lorries are banned here starting from 12:00 PM on Wednesday until 1:00 AM on New Year’s Day.
- Location Focus: The E22 restriction is particularly critical because it passes near Al Wathba, where a major festival is expected to draw huge crowds for its Guinness World Record attempts.
Authorities have noted that moving a Labour Bus fleet through these high-density zones during peak hours could cause safety risks. By clearing these larger vehicles, the police can better manage the influx of thousands of private cars and taxis.
Alternative Routes and Key Exemptions
You don’t have to worry if you are operating a service vehicle that keeps the city running. The government has been very clear about who is allowed to stay on the roads. To ensure the city remains tidy and well-supplied, the following vehicles are fully exempt from the ban:
- Public cleaning company vehicles.
- Logistics support vehicles.
- Emergency and first responder units.
For everyone else, the official advice is to pivot to alternative routes. According to the latest traffic maps, drivers who usually take the E22 should look at using the E30 (Al Rawdah Road) or the E11 (Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Road) to bypass the restricted segments.
If a Labour Bus moves strictly on the main highway, secondary roads become the main routes for industrial transit during the 18-hour window.
Conclusion
The best way to enjoy the New Year is to stay ahead of the traffic. There will be clear signage and extra police patrols stationed across the emirate to guide drivers through these diversions. Planning your journey a few hours early can save you from a lot of holiday stress.
By reducing the impact of a Labour Bus on holiday congestion, the city is making sure the fireworks are the only thing stopping traffic this year. What are your views on this? Let us know in the comments below. Keep following the Arabwheels Blog for more content like this.