Dubai’s delivery market covers far more than restaurant orders. Retailers, grocery businesses, pharmacies, e-commerce stores and corporate suppliers all rely on last-mile operators to move goods across the city.
If you want to run that operation as a business, you need the correct trade activity and transport approvals before putting riders or vehicles on the road.
The main activity used for this type of business is Order Management and Delivery Services, activity code 641201 with both Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). RTA describes it as organising and delivering orders to homes, offices, factories, airports and other workplaces. The delivered items can include food, consumer goods and other materials.
Getting a delivery service licence Dubai businesses can legally operate under therefore involves more than receiving a commercial licence. RTA regulates the transport activity itself. Your vehicles, riders, delivery boxes, insurance and operating procedures also need to comply with the applicable rules.
What Licence Do You Need for a Delivery Service in Dubai?
For a company that receives delivery orders and physically transports goods to customers, the main activity is Order Management and Delivery Services, code 641201. RTA’s activity card names its Commercial Transport Activities Department as the governing and permit-issuing department.
A mainland company will generally start with Dubai DET licensing. Dubai free zone companies that conduct regulated commercial transport activities in the emirate can also come under RTA requirements. RTA’s NOC service specifically accepts companies with preliminary approval from either DET or Dubai free zones.
If you are still choosing the company structure, Nexture’s guide to setting up a business in Dubai explains the main jurisdiction and licence decisions. You may also want to compare delivery with broader logistics business activities in the UAE because warehousing, freight and last-mile delivery can require different activities.
In a 30-minute call we map your situation against jurisdiction, activity and cost — no commitment required.
Main Approvals for a Dubai Delivery Company
Authority | When it applies | Main role |
Dubai DET or relevant free zone | Company formation | Trade name, legal entity and commercial licence |
RTA Commercial Transport Activities Department | Delivery operations | NOC, traffic file and commercial transport activity permit |
Dubai Municipality | Food delivery | Food vehicle standards, annual food permit and Foodwatch compliance |
Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure | Where operations extend outside Dubai | Requirements for carrying the activity beyond the emirate |
RTA’s current activity card identifies the licensing body and RTA as entities involved before the permit. It also lists Dubai Municipality after permit issuance and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure when the activity needs to be carried out outside Dubai.
Requirements for a Delivery Service Licence in Dubai
You first need preliminary approval from the authority issuing your trade licence. For the RTA NOC, the authority asks for that preliminary approval along with identification documents for the business owners and partners. Passport or Emirates ID copies and valid residence or visa information for non-Emirati partners may apply depending on the applicant.
RTA also requires the business to provide an office, suitable vehicles and parking spaces appropriate for the authorised activity. Your intended delivery sub-activities should be identified as well. RTA gives examples such as meal delivery, furniture delivery and gas delivery. The goods you carry can change the approvals or technical requirements that apply.
How to Get a Delivery Service Licence in Dubai
Choose the correct business activity. Confirm that activity 641201 matches your actual service. A company physically delivering orders is different from a business that only manages delivery requests through a digital platform.
Reserve the trade name and obtain preliminary approval. Complete this through Dubai DET or the relevant Dubai free zone.
Apply for the RTA NOC. RTA approval forms part of activating the regulated commercial transport activity.
Complete the trade licence. Finish the company licensing process once the required NOC is available.
Activate the RTA transport activity. After licensing information is updated, the company receives its traffic file and activity permit.
Register and prepare the fleet. Vehicles must meet Dubai registration, insurance and technical conditions.
Qualify your delivery riders. Motorbike riders need the required driving licence and RTA qualification certificate.
Complete sector-specific permits. Food delivery requires additional Dubai Municipality compliance.
RTA states that transport activities requiring approvals generally take around 3 to 15 days at its approval stage. Your full setup can take longer when office arrangements, vehicles, insurance, visas or food permits are still pending.
Vehicle and Motorbike Requirements
Vehicle compliance needs to be planned before you launch. Vehicles used for the authorised delivery activity must be registered in Dubai, whether owned or leased by the company. RTA also requires comprehensive vehicle, motorcycle or electric-bike insurance through an insurer licensed in the UAE.
For motorcycle operations covered by RTA’s delivery technical manual, motorbikes should have an engine capacity between 100 and 200 cc. The manual also requires Dubai registration, valid insurance, approved testing and compliance with the 100 km/h maximum speed for delivery bikes.
RTA’s newer activity card states that motorcycles are to be replaced after four years and electric bicycles after six years from registration.
Delivery Box Requirements
Your delivery box cannot simply be fitted based on convenience. According to the official RTA delivery services technical manual, RTA specifies a maximum box size of 50 cm x 50 cm x 50 cm. The box should be securely attached to the rear of the motorcycle and must not block the rider’s mirror view. It should have rounded edges, reflective tape and a design that does not extend improperly beyond the bike.
Advertising also needs attention. RTA states that advertising material should not be placed on the vehicle or delivery box without the required approval.
Gold Number 9 Plates for Delivery Motorcycles
Dubai now uses distinctive commercial plates for delivery motorcycles.
RTA requires delivery motorcycles to carry two gold plates, one at the front and one at the rear, bearing code 9 when applicable during registration, renewal, replacement or plate changes.
Delivery Rider Requirements
Having a motorcycle licence alone does not give a rider permission to start commercial deliveries. RTA requires delivery motorbike riders to obtain a Delivery Driver Qualification Certificate. A rider must be between 21 and 55 years old, hold a valid motorcycle driving licence and complete training through an authorised driving institute.
The training session takes five hours including the test. The qualification certificate is valid for one year and RTA states that training fees can vary by institute, subject to a maximum of AED 200.
Riders must also wear the company uniform and suitable protective equipment. Carrying a passenger during deliveries is prohibited.
Road positioning rules changed in November 2025. Delivery motorcycles cannot use the two leftmost lanes on roads with five lanes or more. On roads with three or four lanes, they cannot use the leftmost lane. Roads with two lanes or fewer do not have this specific lane restriction.
Extra Requirements for Food Delivery
Food delivery brings Dubai Municipality into the compliance process. Dubai Municipality’s food transportation rules apply to trucks, cars and motorcycles used to transport or deliver food within Dubai, including food ordered online. Businesses providing food delivery must hold an appropriate licensed activity and ensure their vehicles meet the required food safety standards.
Delivery boxes need food-grade internal surfaces and a design that protects food from contamination. The unit should retain the required temperature. Hot and cold items carried together must be properly separated. For bike deliveries lasting more than one hour, Dubai Municipality requires suitable heating or cooling measures, such as heating equipment, refrigeration or ice packs depending on the food.
Dubai Municipality also requires relevant food transportation and delivery businesses and vehicles to be registered through Foodwatch. Food vehicles operating in Dubai require an annual food transportation permit issued digitally through authorised and accredited vehicle testing centres.
We’ll model the requirements and send back a single-page breakdown within 24 hours.
How Much Does a Delivery Service Licence Cost in Dubai?
There is no single official all-inclusive figure. Your final cost depends on the legal structure, licensing authority, office, visas, fleet size, motorcycles, insurance and additional permits.
For activity 641201, RTA’s current new-trade-licence NOC page lists an AED 1,000 NOC fee, AED 100 legal authorisation letter fee and AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation fee, giving a transaction total of AED 1,120.
RTA’s activity description card separately lists AED 1,000 for a new activity permit and AED 1,000 for permit renewal. These amounts should not automatically be added together because charges shown by RTA can relate to different stages or transactions. Confirm the amount displayed in the portal for your particular application.
You should also budget for your DET or free zone licence, premises, establishment card, rider visas, motorcycles, registration, insurance, approved delivery boxes and Municipality requirements where food is involved.
Common Problems That Delay Delivery Company Setup
A frequent issue is obtaining the commercial licence and assuming bikes can immediately go into operation. RTA specifically warns that completing a trade licence for a regulated transport activity without the required RTA approval can expose the company to violations.
Another issue is choosing an activity that does not match how the business earns revenue. If your company will build an app that manages transport and delivery orders for independent providers, RTA regulates Management of Transport and Delivery Orders through Online Platforms and Smart Applications separately. That setup includes additional procedures and an agreement with RTA.
Vehicle planning can cause delays too. Buying motorcycles first and checking RTA specifications later can leave you with bikes, boxes or equipment that need modification before approval.
Conclusion
A delivery service licence Dubai business owners can operate with requires the right company licence plus transport compliance.
Start by confirming your exact delivery activity. Then complete the licensing authority’s preliminary approval and RTA process before preparing your fleet. Every delivery motorcycle needs to meet registration, insurance and technical standards, while riders need the correct qualification. Food delivery adds another set of Dubai Municipality requirements.
Planning these approvals together is much easier than correcting the licence or fleet after launch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the activity code for delivery services in Dubai?
The main DET and RTA activity for Order Management and Delivery Services is 641201. It covers businesses whose main activity involves organising and delivering orders to homes, offices, factories and other workplaces.
Do I need RTA approval for a delivery company in Dubai?
Yes. Order Management and Delivery Services is regulated by RTA as a commercial transport activity. The company needs to complete the applicable RTA NOC and activity permit process.
Can I use rented motorcycles for delivery?
Yes, subject to RTA requirements. The delivery vehicle must be registered in Dubai and, where transport means are rented or contracted from another party, that provider must be properly licensed for the purpose.
What size can a delivery bike box be in Dubai?
RTA’s delivery manual specifies maximum external dimensions of 50 cm long, 50 cm wide and 50 cm high. The box should also be fixed securely and should not obstruct the rider’s mirror view.
Is Dubai Municipality approval required for every delivery company?
Dubai Municipality requirements are especially relevant when you transport food. Food delivery vehicles and bikes must comply with food safety standards and the applicable food transportation permit and Foodwatch requirements.
