اﻟﻌرﺑﻳﺔ اﻟﺧﻠﻳﺞ ﻟدوﻝ اﻟﺗﻌﺎون ﻣﺟﻠس ﻟدوﻝ اﻟﺗﻘﻳﻳس  ﻫﻳﺋﺔ   
GCC STANDARDIZATION ORGANIZATION (GSO) 
 
  
 
  
 أوﻟﻲ : ﻣﺷروع  
 
  
GSO 02/01/CD/Update for No. 42:2003 
 
 
 
 اﻟﺳﻳﺎرات -اﻟﻌﺎﻣﺔ  اﻟﻣﺗطﻠﺑﺎت   
MOTOR VEHICLES -  GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
Preparation  
GSO Technical Subcommittee for  Road Vehicles and Tires   
  
  
  
 
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT GSO STANDARD CIRCULATED FOR COMMENT. 
IT IS, THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS 
A GSO STANDARD UNTIL APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.   
 
ﺗﻘدﻳم  
 ﻫﻳﺋﺔ  اﻟوطﻧﻳــﺔ اﻷﺟﻬــزة ﻋﺿــوﻳﺗﻬﺎ  ﻓــﻲ ﺗﺿــم إﻗﻠﻳﻣﻳــﺔ ﻫﻳﺋــﺔ اﻟﻌرﺑﻳــﺔ اﻟﺧﻠــﻳﺞ ﻟــدوﻝ اﻟﺗﻌــﺎون ﻣﺟﻠــس ﻟدوﻝ اﻟﺗﻘﻳﻳس
 اﻟﺧﻠﻳﺟﻳـــﺔ  اﻟﻘﻳﺎﺳـــﻳﺔ  اﻟﻣواﺻـــﻔﺎت  إﻋـــداد اﻟﻬﻳﺋـــﺔ ﻣﻬـــﺎم وﻣـــن ، اﻟﻌرﺑﻳـــﺔ اﻟﺧﻠـــﻳﺞ دوﻝ ﻓـــﻲ واﻟﻣﻘـــﺎﻳﻳس  ﻟﻠﻣواﺻـــﻔﺎت
 .ﻣﺗﺧﺻﺻﺔ  ﻓﻧﻳﺔ ﻟﺟﺎن ﺑواﺳطﺔ   
ا ﻟـــدوﻝ اﻟﺗﻌـــﺎون ﻣﺟﻠـــس ﻟـــدوﻝ اﻟﺗﻘﻳـــﻳس  ﻫﻳﺋـــﺔ ﻗﺎﻣـــت وﻗـــد             اﻟﻔﻧﻳـــﺔ اﻟﻠﺟﻧـــﺔ ﻋﻣـــﻝ ﺑرﻧـــﺎﻣﺞ ﺿـــﻣن اﻟﻌرﺑﻳـــﺔ ﻟﺧﻠـــﻳﺞ
 رﻗـــم01/02  "اﻟﻔﻧﻳـــﺔ اﻟﻠﺟﻧـــﺔ اﻟﻔرﻋﻳـــﺔ اﻟﺧﻠﻳﺟﻳـــﺔ واﻹطـــﺎرات  اﻟﻣرﻛﺑـــﺎت  ﻟﻣواﺻـــﻔﺎت"   اﻟﻼﺋﺣـــ ﺔﺑﺗﺣـــدﻳث  اﻟﻔﻧﻳـــﺔ
 رﻗـــم اﻟﺧﻠﻳﺟﻳـــﺔ42:2003  GSO  اﻟﺳـــﻳﺎرات ". –"  اﻟﻌﺎﻣـــﺔ اﻟﻣﺗطﻠﺑـــﺎت  اﻟﻣﻣﻠﻛـــ ﺔوﻗﺎﻣـــت  اﻟﺳـــﻌودﻳﺔ  اﻟﻌرﺑﻳـــﺔ
.اﻟﻣواﺻﻔﺔ  ﻫذﻩ ﻣﺷروع ﺑﺈﻋداد   
  
 اﻟﻣواﺻـــﻔﺔ  ﻫـــذﻩ اﻋﺗﻣـــدت  ﻗﻳﺎﺳـــﻳوﻗـــد  ﻛﻣواﺻـــﻔﺔ  ﺧﻠﻳﺟﻳـــﺔ ﺔ              ، )      ( رﻗـــم اﻟﻬﻳﺋـــﺔ إدارة ﻣﺟﻠـــس اﺟﺗﻣـــﺎع ﻓـــﻲ
.م   /  /      اﻟﻣواﻓق ، ﻫـ   /  /       ﺑﺗﺎرﻳﺦ ﻋﻘد اﻟذي   
 )رﻗم اﻟﻣواﺻﻔﺔ  ﺗﻠﻐﻰ أن ﻋﻠﻰ42: 2003 GSO .ﻣﺣﻠﻬﺎ وﺗﺣﻝ(  
  
  
  
Foreword 
 
GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) is a regional organization, which 
consists of the National Standards Bodies of GCC member Stat es. One of  GSO 
main functions is to issue Gulf  Standards through specialized technical 
committees (TCs). 
 
GSO through the technical program of committee TC No.: 02/01 " GSO 
Technical Subcommittee for  Road Vehicles and Tires " has updated the                
GSO technical regulation No.: GSO 42:2003" Motor vehicles – General 
requirements " . The draf t standard has been prep ared by Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia. 
 
This standard has been approved as Gulf  Standard by GSO Board of  Directors 
in its meeting No..../....  …….held  on    /     /        H ,     /    /        G. 
The approved standard will replace and supersede th e standard No.:                
(GSO 42:2003) . 
  
 
 
 
 :  
   
 
Foreword 
 
Standardization Organization for GCC (GSO) is a regional Organization which consists of the 
National Standards Bodies of GCC member Stat es. One of GSO main functions is to issue 
Gulf Standards /Technical regulation through specialized technical committees (TCs). 
GSO through the technical program of committee TC No .2 "Technical Committee of 
Mechanical standards" has Revised the GSO Standard No. GSO 42/2003 "Motor Vehicles – 
General Requirements". The revision has been prepared by Gulf Standard Organization 
(GSO).  This general safety regulation is prepared ensuring high levels of safety, environmental 
protection, energy efficiency a nd antitheft performance for motor vehicles or items of motor 
vehicle equipment. These requirements are specified in such a manner that the public is protected against unreasonable risk of acci dents occurring as a result of the design, 
construction or performance of motor vehicles a nd is also protected against unreasonable risk 
of serious injury in the event crashes do occur. 
 In the case of technical requirements if there ar e no GSO Regulations and Standards, then the 
vehicle shall comply with the regulations/standar ds in the country of origin or international 
standards accepted by GSO (UN/ECE or FMVSS) until the relevant regulations are approved 
by GSO.  All GSO exhaust emission regulations are unde r revision based on ECE 83/2005 Euro IV and 
ECE R 49 Euro IV limits. These regulations will be enforced starting from 2017 model year 
vehicles. Note: For UAE, exhaust emission regulations  are under revision based on ECE R 49 Euro V 
limits 
 
This regulation is complementary to all othe r GSO technical regulations and standards for 
Motor Vehicles. 
 
  
 
   
 
   
 
 
CONTENTS 	
             Sub ject Item     
Scope and Field of Application .................................................. 1.  
Definitions ................................................................................. 2.  
Complementary References ...... ................................................. 3.  
Dimensions ................................................................................ 4.  
Minimum Road Clearance .......................................................... 5.  
Gross Vehicle and Axle Weight ................................................. 6.  
Stability ..................................................................................... 7.  Engine ....................................................................................... 8.  Fuel System ............................................................................... 9.  
Cooling System ......................................................................... 10.  
Electric System .......................................................................... 11.  
Exhaust System ......................................................................... 12.  
Braking System ......................................................................... 13.  
Suspension System .................................................................... 14.  
Steering System ......................................................................... 15.  Control Devices ......................................................................... 16.  
Frame and Body ........................................................................ 17.  
Coupling Devices and Towing Methods ..................................... 18.  
Wheels (Tyres and Rims) ........................................................... 19.  
Seats ......................................................................................... 20.  
Safety Belts ............................................................................... 21.  
Air Bags .................................................................................... 22.  
Windshield and Window ............................................................ 23.  
Head Restraint ........................................................................... 24.  
Rearview Mirrors ...................................................................... 25.  
Sound Signaling Device (Horn) ................................................ 26.  
Pollution .................................................................................... 27.  
Vehicle Exterior Noise Levels ..................................................... 28.  
Flammability of Interior Materials .............................................. 29.  
Lighting Equipment ................................................................... 30.    
 
General  ..................................................................................... 30.1  
Head lamp ................................................................................. 30.2  
Stop lamp .................................................................................. 30.3  Rear position lamp ...................................................... 30.4  
Front position lamp .................................................................... 30.5  
Reversing lamp .......................................................................... 30.6  
Direction Indicator lamp .............................................................. 30.7  
Hazard warning flashing lamp .................................................... 30.8  
Clearance lamp .......................................................................... 30.9  
Auxiliary head lamps (low beam light) ....................................... 30.10  
Side marker lamps and side reflector .......................................... 30.11  
Rear registration plate lamp ....................................................... 30.12  
Courtesy lamps (room lamp) ...................................................... 30.13  
Door Locks and Door Retention Components ...........................  31.  
Speedometer ............................................................................. 32.  
Odometer .................................................................................. 33.  
Speed Warning Device and Speed Limiting Device .................... 34.  
Windshield Wiping and Washing System ................................... 35.  
Under Run Protection  ……………………………… 36  
Protection Against Theft …………………………………. 37  
Fuel Consumption measurement and Label ………………… 38  
Impact strength ………………………………. 39  Exterior Protection ……………………………. 40  
Hybrid Electric Vehicles ………………………….. 41  
Additional Requirements for Particular Vehicles ........................ 42  
Buses ........................................................................................ 42.1  
Trucks and Trailers .................................................................... 42.2  
Motor vehicles carrying dangerous materials .............................. 42.3  
Emergency motor vehicles ......................................................... 42.4  
Handicapped vehicles ................................................................ 42.5  
School Buses 42.6  
Incomplete Vehicles .................................................................. 43  
Safety Requirements .................................................................. 44.  
Information of Vehicle ............................................................... 45.    
 
Owner’s Manual (Operating Instructions) .................................. 46.  
   
 
 
MOTOR VEHICLES 
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 
 
 
1- SCOPE AND FIELD OF APPLICATION 
1.1    This standard is concerned with the general requirements for motor vehicles ensuring       
   high levels of safety, environmental pr otection, energy efficiency and antitheft  
   performance.  For detailed requirements  refer to GSO Technical Regulations on the  
   subject concerned.  
1.2  GSO technical regulations related to Motor Vehicles will be formulated based on     
UN/ECE regulations; In the case of motor vehicles manufactured in compliance with FMVSS regulations, will be accepted as an alternative. 
 
 
2- DEFINITIONS 
 For definitions see the relevant GSO Technical Regulations and Standards.  
3-      COMPLEMENTARY REFERENCES 
                   The following Gulf standards:
 
3.1             GS 34 “Lead-Acid Starter Batteries Used for Motor Cars and Internal Combustion 
Engines”.  
3.2              GS 35 “Methods of Test fo r Lead-Acid Starter Batteries Used for Motor Cars and 
Internal Combustion Engines”.  
3.3              GS 36 “Motor Vehicles – Methods of Test for Impact Strength - Part 1: Frontal 
Impact”.  
3.4              GS 37 “Motor Vehicles - Methods of Test for Impact Strength - Part 2:  Rear 
Impact”.  
3.5              GS 38 “Motor Vehicles - Me thods of Test for Impact Strength - Part 3A:  Side 
Impact”.  
3.6              GS 39 “Motor Vehicles - Me thods of Test for Impact Strength - Part 4:  Roof 
Strength”.  
3.7              GS 40 “Motor Vehicles - Impact Strength”.  
3.8            GS 41 “Motor Vehicles - Front and Rear Exterior Protection Devices for Passenger 
Cars (Bumpers, etc.) and its Methods of Test”.    
 
3.9 GS 48 “Motor Vehicles - Conformity Certificates”. 
3.10 GS 51 “Passenger Car Tyres - Part 1:  Nomenclature, Designation, Marking, 
Dimensions, Load Capacities and Inflation Pressures”.  
3.11            GS 52  “Passenger Car Tyres - Part 2:  General Requirements”.  
3.12            GS 53 “Passenger Car Tyres - Part 3:  Methods of Test”. 
3.13 GS 96 “Motor Vehicles - Methods of Testing of Safety Belts ”.  
3.14            GS 97 “Motor Vehicles - Safety Belts”.   3.15 GS 98 “Motor Vehicles - Flammability of Interior Material s and Their Testing 
Methods”.
 
3.16            GS 99 “Road Vehicles - Sound Signaling Devices - Technical Specifications”.  
3.17 GS 135 “Methods of Test for Engine Radiators”.  
3.18            GS 136 “ Motor Vehicles Engine Radiator”. 
3.19 GS 144 “Motor Vehicles - Allowable Lim its of Gaseous Pollutants Emitted to the 
Atmosphere from Heavy Duty Diesel Engined Vehicles”.  
3.20            GS 145 “Motor Vehicles - Methods of Testing Gaseous Pollutants Emitted from 
Heavy Duty Diesel Engined Vehicles - Part  1:  Determination of Exhaust Gaseous 
Pollutants”.  
3.21            GS 146 “Motor Vehicles - Me thods of Testing Gaseous Pollutants Emitted to the 
atmosphere from Heavy Duty Diesel Engined Vehicles - Part 2:  Determination of Smoke Density”. 
3.22 GS 153 " Motor Vehicles – Conformity Certificates for Vehicles Manufactured in 
Multi stages"  
3.23 GS 159 “Motor Vehicles – Dimensions and Weights ”.
 
3.24 GS 289 “Motor Vehicles - Retro-Reflect ive Number Plates and its Methods of 
Test”.  
3.25 GS 419 “Motor Vehicles - Methods of Test for Door Locks and Door Hinges”.  
3.26            GS 420 “Motor Vehicles - Door Locks and Door Hinges”.  
3.27            GS 421 “Motor Vehicles - Methods of Testing of Rear-View Mirrors”.  
3.28            GS 422 “Motor Vehicles - Rear-View Mirrors”.  
3.29 GS 645 “Multi-Purpose Vehicles Trucks, Buses, and Trailers Tyres - Part 1:  
Nomenclature, Designation, Marking, Dimensions, Load Capacities and Inflation 
Pressure”.  
3.30            GS 646 “Multi-Purpose Vehicles  Trucks, Buses, and Trailers Tyres - Part 2:  
Methods of Test”.  
3.31            GS 647 “Multi-Purpose Vehicles  Trucks, Buses, and Trailers Tyres - Part 3:  
General Requirements”.  
3.32 GS 963 “Motor Vehicles – General Requirements for Ambulances”.  
3.33            GS 967 “Motor Vehicles - Safety Requirements for Pilgrim Buses”.    
 
3.34            GS 972 “Transportation of Da ngerous Substances by Road - Part 1:  General 
Safety Requirements”.  
3.35         GS  1040 – "Motor Vehicles – Allowable  Limits of Pollutants  Emitted to the  
                   Atmosphere  from Light Duty Diesel Engined Vehicles"   
3.36  GSO 1041 - Motor Vehicles - Methods of Testing for Pollutants Emitted from 
Light Duty Diesel Engined Vehicles - Part  1: Determination of  Exhaust Gaseous  
Pollutants ”. 
3.37 GSO 1042/2000 Motor Vehicles - Methods of Testing for Pollutants Emitted from 
Light Duty Diesel Engined Vehicles - Part 2:  Determination of Smoke” . 
3.38          GS 1052 “Motor Vehicles Ty res - Temporary Use Spare Wheels/Tyres and Their 
Methods of Test" 
3.39          GS 1053 “Motor Vehicles – Protection Against Theft”.  
3.40           GS 1503 “Motor Vehicles – Head Lamps Safety Requirements”.  
3.41           GS1598 “Motor Vehicles – Head Restraints and Their Methods of Test”.  
4.42       GS 1624  "Motor Vehicles – Noise Emissions"  
4.43         GS 1625 "Motor Vehicles – Speed Limiters – Part 2 : Technical  Requirements"   
                   Equipment  Inspection,  Certification  and type approval"  
3.44        GS 1626 "Motor Vehicles – Speed Limiters – Part 3 : Methods of Test" 
3.45        GS 1677 "Motor Vehicles – Laminated  Safety Glass" 
3.46              GS 1680 “Motor Vehicles - Allowable Limits of Gaseous Pollutants Emitted to 
the Atmosphere from Unleaded Gasoline Engined Vehicles”. 
3.47  GS 1681 "Motor Vehicles - Methods of Test for Gaseous Pollutants Emitted from 
Unleaded Gasoline Engined Vehicles - Part  1:  Determination of Exhaust Gaseous 
Pollutants After Cold Start”.  
3.48         GS 1682 "Motor Vehicles - Meth ods of Test for Gaseous Pollutants Emitted from 
Unleaded Gasoline Engined Vehicles - Pa rt 2:  Determination of Exhaust Carbon 
Monoxide at Idle Speed”.  
3.49         GS 1683 "Motor  Vehicles - Me thods of Test for Gaseous Pollutants Emitted from 
Unleaded Gasoline Engined Vehicles - Part 3:  Determination of Evaporative Emissions (Hydrocarbons) from the Fuel System Using the Enclosure Method”.
 
3.50         GS 1684 "Motor Vehicles - Meth ods of Test for Gaseous Pollutants Emitted from 
Unleaded Gasoline Engined Vehicles - Part 4:  Determination of Gaseous 
Pollutants Emitted from Engine Crankcase 
3.51         GS 1685 "Motor Vehicles - Meth ods of Test for Gaseous Pollutants Emitted from 
Unleaded Gasoline Engined Vehicles - Part 5:  Determination of Durability of 
Pollution Control Equipment".  
3.52            GS 1707 "Motor Vehicles - Methods of Test for Impact Strength - Part 
3B: Moving Barrier Side Impact”. 
3.53 GS 1708 "Motor Vehicles - Methods of Test for Impact Strength - Part 
3C: Moving Barrier Side Impact”.    
 
3.54 GS 1711 "Motor Vehicles – Speed Limiters – Part 1 : General requirements,   
                     Equipment  Inspection,  Certification  and type approval"  
3.55          GS 1780 "Motor vehicles – Vehicle Identification  Number (VIN) –  
                     Requirements.  
3.56           GS 1782 " Motor Vehicles – Vehicles Identification  Number (VIN) – Location  
                     and Attachment.  
3.57           GS 1783 " Passenger  car Tyres – Tread wear, Traction and Temperature   
                     Resistance  Grading".  
3.58            GS 1784 " Passenger  Car Tyres – Method of Testing of Tyre Temperature   
                     Resistance  Grading" 
3.59           GSO ISO 3537 " Motor Vehicles – Safety Glszing Materials  – Mechanical  Tests" 
3.60          GSO ISO 3538 "Road Vehicles – Safety Glasses – Test methods for optical  
                     properties"   
3.61           GSO ECE 13H  "Motor Vehicles – Braking System of Passenger  Cars and Multi  
                    Purpose Vehicles".  
3.62          GSO ECE 13H‐1"Motor Vehicles – Methods of Test for Braking System – Part 1  
                    : Braking Performance"  
3.63          GSO ECE 13H‐2"Motor Vehicles – Methods of Test for Braking System‐ Part 2    
                    : Determination  of Capacity of Energy Storage Devices" 
3.64           GSO ECE 13H‐3"Motor Vehicles – Methods of Test for Braking System‐ Part 3    
                     : Determination  of Distribution  Braking among the Axles of Vehicles"  
3.65          GSO ECE 13H‐4"Motor Vehicles – Methods of Test for Braking System‐ Part 4    
                     : Determination  of Function of Anti‐Lock System" 
3.66          GSO ECE 13H‐5"Motor Vehicles – Methods of Test for Braking System‐ Part 5       
                     : Determination  of Performance  of Brake Lining Using Inertia Dynamometer"  
3.67          GSO ECE 13H‐6"Motor Vehicles – Methods of Test for Braking System‐ Part 6    
                    : Determination  of Coefficient  of Adhesion"  
 
4- DIMENSIONS 
4.1              All dimensions shall be determined with the vehicle at its unladen mass. 
4.2 The vehicle length shall be the distance between two vertical planes perpendicular 
to the longitudinal median plane and touc hing the front and rear of the vehicle 
respectively and it shall not exceed 12.5m for trucks and buses, 18m for trailers, 
20m for articulated vehicles.   
 
4.3             When measuring the vehicle structural length the following devices shall not be 
                   taken into account:  
      - wiper and washer devices,        - front or rear marker-plates,  
      - devices for securing the load restraint(s)/cover(s) and their protection,  
      - lighting and light signaling devices,        - mirrors or other devices for indirect vision,  
      - reversing aids,  
      - air-intake pipes,  
      - length stops for demountable bodies,  
      - access steps and hand-holds,  
      - lifting platforms, access ramps and similar equipment in running order, not 
        exceeding 300 mm,  
      - coupling and recovery towing devices for power driven vehicles,  
      - external sun visors,  
      - exhaust pipes.
 
4.4             The vehicle width shall be the distance between two planes parallel to the  
                 longitudinal median plan e and touching the vehicle on either side of the  
                 said plane and it shall not exceed 2.6m. 
 
4.5          When measuring the vehicle structural width the following devices shall not be taken  
                into account:  
                - Devices for securing the tarpaulin and their protection,  
                - Tyre failure tell-tale devices,                  - Lighting and light signaling devices,  
                - Rear view mirrors. 
                - Tyre pressure indicators 
                - Retractable steps 
                - Running boards   
4.6      The height of the vehicle shall be the distance between the supporting surfaces  
                 and the horizontal plane touching the topmost part of the vehicle and it shall not  
                 exceed 4.2 m. 
4.7          When measuring the vehicle structural height the following devices shall not be taken 
into account:  
                  - aerials,  
                  - current collection devices in their elevated position.  
4.8 Wheel base of a vehicle shall be measured between the perpendicular lines 
constructed to the longitudinal median plane between two consecutive wheels 
situated on the same side of the vehicle. 
4.9 Vehicle front overhang shall be the distance between the vertical plane passing 
through the centres of the foremost wheels  and the foremost point of the vehicle, 
taking into consideration lashing hooks, registration number plate, etc., and any parts 
rigidly attached to the vehicle.  
4.10 Vehicle rear overhang shall be the dis tance between the vertical plane passing 
through the centres of the rearmost wheel s and the rearmost point of the vehicle,   
 
taking into consideration the towing attachment, if fitted, registration number plate, 
etc., and any parts rigidly attached to the vehicle. 
 FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS FOR WEIGHTS REFER GSO 159.         
5- MINIMUM ROAD CLEARANCE 
5.1 Any part other than the earth-touching parts of a motor vehicle shall have 
adequate clearance above the ground so as to ensure safe driving. 
5.2 The clearance shall be such that any rigid parts of the vehicle should not touch the 
level ground and get damaged due to impact.  
5.3 Due to design constriction any projecti ng parts should be provided with guards to 
avoid the rigid part being a ffected for safety reasons. 
 6- GROSS VEHICLE AND AXLE WEIGHT 
  6.1 The Gross Vehicle Weight is the maximum weight of the fully laden vehicle, based on 
its construction and design performances, as decl ared by the manufacturer. This shall be 
less than or equal to the sum of the maximum axles capacity. The gross vehicle weight 
shall not exceed 45 tones.   
6.2    
The Unladen Vehicle weight shall be determined by the following criteria:  
         Weight of the vehicle with body work and all factory fitted  equipment, electrical and  
         auxiliary equipment for normal operation of vehicle, including liquids, tools, fire           extinguisher, standard spare parts, chocks and spare wheel, if fitted.  
    
 
6.3   The pay load of a truck shall be obtained by subtracting the unladen vehicle weight and 
the driver and passenger weight from the gross vehicle weight.  
6.4     Maximum axle weights 
6.4.1  Maximum axle (s)  capacity of a vehicle is the permissible weight corresponding to the  
          maximum weight to be carried by the axle (s) as defined by the vehicle 
          manufacturer, not exceeding the axle manufacturer’s specifications. The maximum  
          axle(s) capacity shall be less than or equal to the sum of the maximum capacities of the  
         tyres.  
6.4.2   In the case of tandem axles the tota l weight on the tandem axles shall be depend  
           On the distance between the two rear axles or the distance between the first and the  
           third rear axles.  FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS FOR WEIGHTS REFER GSO 159.  
7- STABILITY 7.1  The vehicle should not pull to left or right during driving. 7.2   It should not have too much steering lash at the steering wheel. 
7.3   When the turning radious is too high the vehicle can overturn when negotiating    
 
        a dangerous bend or curve. It shoul d be limited and shall not exceed 12 meters.   
7.4   Any motor vehicle in the unladen state shall not overturn when tilted to the left or  
        right side at an angle specified in the regulation (35º)  or the rollover stability of the         vehicle shall be such the point at which overturning occurs should be limited to the   
        lateral acceleration . 
7.5  
The vehicle shall travel along a straight section of road without unusual steering  
        correction by the driver and withou t unusual vibration in the steering system at the  
         maximum design speed of the vehicle.  
                               
8- ENGINE 
8.1 The engine shall be suitable for either domestic fuel as unleaded gasoline or diesel 
oil specially with respect to sulphur contents and the deterioration effect on the 
accessories provided for exhaust emission controls. 
8.2 Considering the environmental conditions and the health effect of exhaust 
emissions gases the engine shall comply with at least Euro IV (ECE R 83 and 
ECE R 49) exhaust emissions pol lution limits once the fuel available is suitable.  
8.3 The engine and its accessories shall be suitable for use in dusty atmospheric 
conditions and high ambient temperatures esp ecially as concerns the radiator (type 
and size), air filter, engine block cooling system, thermostat and battery in 
accordance with the relevant Gulf standards. 
8.4          The on board diagnostic (OBD) system provided, shall be suitable to enable it  
                    to identify the types of deterioration or  malfunction over the entire life of the 
                    vehicle consideri ng the climatic conditions prevailing in GCC countries . 
 
8.5        The components liable to affect the emission of pollutants shall be so                
                   designed, constructed and assembled as to enable the engine in normal use,  
                   despite the vibration to which it may be subjected, to comply with the                     provisions of relevant GSO  Regulations. 
 
Note : For UAE , Considering the environmental conditions  and the health effect of exhaust 
emissions gases the engine shall comply with Euro V (ECE R 49) exhaust emissions 
pollution limits once the fuel available is suitable. 
 9- FUEL SYSTEM 
9.1 The fuel tank and its connections shall be secure and fixed in such a manner that 
they will become resistant to damage by vibration, impact, and flammability. 
9.2 Each fill pipe shall be fitted with a cap that can be fastened securely. 
9.3 In order to avoid spilling of fuel during sudden brake or negotiating bends it shall 
not be possible to fill into the fuel tank a quantity of fuel exceeding 97.5% of its 
capacity.   
 
9.4 The structure of the fuel tank and its connections shall be such that it will not leak 
fuel in case of collision impact that may cause deaths and injuries occurring from 
fires that result from fuel spillage during and after vehicle crashes. 
     
9.5 The filling entry and air vent on the fuel tank shall not be located in the path of 
discharge of the exhaust pipe and besides, additionally, shall be located not less 
than 300 mm from the open end of the exhaust pipe. 
9.6 The filling entry and air vent on the fuel tank shall be located not less than 200 
mm from any exposed electric terminal or  switch or be separated by body panels. 
9.7 The tank(s) shall not be situated in, or from, a surface (floor, wall, bulkhead) of 
the passenger compartment or other compartment integral with it. 
9.8         A partition shall be provided to separate the occupant compartment from the  
                    tank(s).  
9.9               Every tank shall be securely fixed and so placed as to ensure that any fuel  
                    leaking from the tank or its accessories will escape to the ground and not into                      the occupant compartment during normal conditions of use. 
9.10 The fuel tank shall be provided with additional guard to prevent exhaust system 
come in contact with the fuel tank in case if the distance between them are too close and may cause fire in an accident. 
 FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON FUEL LEAKAGE REFER GSO 40. 
10- COOLING SYSTEM 10.1 Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a cooling system suitable for the  
climate of GCC countries to keep the engine at its most efficient operating 
temperature at all engine speeds and under all driving conditions.  
10.2 Cooling system, using a liquid coolan t, shall be provided with a device 
(thermostat) to shorten the inefficient or cold-operating time. 
10.3            The radiator and the cooling fans shall be large enough to reduce the operating 
temperature of the engine to be below the maximum allowable temperature of the 
coolant and to safeguard the engine without getting damage. 
FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON COOLING SYSTEM REFER GSO 
REGULATION 136 ENGINE RADIATOR. 
 
11- ELECTRIC SYSTEM 
11.1       The electric supply system shall be such that it is suitable (Ah) to the engine  
                  capacity, fixed firmly, provided with suitable fuses, the current supply without  
                  any overheating, which may result in fire. 11.2        The components liable to affect the electric energy consumption shall be so 
                   designed, constructed and assembled as to enable the vehicle, in normal use,  
                   despite the vibrations to which it may be subjected, to comply with the relevant   
                   GSO regulation. 
11.3 The resistance between all exposed conductive parts and the electrical chassis 
shall be lower than 0.1ohms when there is current flow of at least 0.2amps in the 
case of hybrid vehicles.   
 
11.4 All conductive parts of hybrid vehicles shall be provided with barriers or 
enclosures and shall be grounded to avoid electrical shock. 
11.5 The electrical cables provided shall be suitable for the current carrying capacity 
and additionally protected to avoid any leak of current. 
11.6 The vehicles with batteries at the rear shall be provided with additional safety cut 
off devices near the battery to cutoff th e supply in case of an impact and the 
current supply cable severed.  
11.7 The electrical equipments provide d shall not radiate and conduct unwanted 
disturbances for the functions for the dir ect control of the vehicle or the vehicle 
data functionality. Also it should not creat e disturbances for the use of electrical 
or electronic equipment at own or adjacent vehicles. 
FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON ELECTRIC SYSTEM REFER GSO 35 AND 
GSO 40 (Revised). 
               
12- EXHAUST SYSTEM 
        12.1            The exhaust gases shall not be allowed to enter in to the passenger or                      goods compartment which will affect the health of the passengers. 
12.2 The exhaust system shall be designed, constructed and capable of being mounted 
so as to ensure that the vehicle complied with the provisions of this regulation 
withstanding the vibration to which it may be subjected. 
12.3 The exhaust system shall have reasonable resistance to the corrosion phenomenon 
to which it is exposed having regard to the conditions of use of the vehicle. It shall 
comply with the relevant GSO requirements to be approved. 
12.4           Exhaust system incorporated with pollution control equipment such as catalytic  
                   converters, shall func tion correctly when using fuel appropriate to the vehicle.  
 
12.5            No part of the exhaust system of any motor vehicle shall be so located as would 
be likely to result in burning, charring or  damaging the electrical wiring, the fuel 
supply, or any combustible part of the motor vehicle. If necessary it shall be 
provided with additional guard to prevent an y damage to electrical or fuel system. 
12.6 No part of the exhaust system of bus shall cause any entry of exhaust gases into 
the passenger compartment. It shall be so designed and directed to the side or  rear of the vehicle. 
12.7  The position and location of the exhaust pipe for trucks may be vertical or 
horizontal and it depends on the material transported by the truck. 
12.8   The exhaust system of every truck and truck tractor shall discharge to the 
atmosphere at a location to the rear of the cab or, if the exhaust projects above the cab, at a location near the rear of the cab. 
13- BRAKING SYSTEM 
13.1        The braking system provided to vehicle shall be suitable to the vehicle concern    
 
                   and ensure safe braking performance under normal and emergency conditions. 
13.2            The effectiveness of the brake system shall be checked by measuring the     
                   stopping distance.   
13.3 Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with service brake system adequate to 
control the movement of, and to halt it safely, speedily and effectively whatever 
its speed and load, on any up or down gradient. 
13.4 The secondary braking system shall make  it possible to halt the vehicle within a 
reasonable distance in the event of failure of the service braking system. 
13.5         No material affecting the publi c health, directly or after reaction with other 
components such as asbestos and cadmium, shall be used in the brake system. 
13.6 The control of the service braking device  shall be independent of the control of 
the parking braking device. 
13.7 The service brake shall be so constructed as to be operated by the driver’s right 
foot. 
13.8 Brake pipes shall be so attached to the chassis or equivalent that they are not 
unnecessarily subjected to damage through vibration or abrasion and shall be 
made of materials resistant to corrosion or treated by any process which ensures such resistance. 
13.9 An optical, and/or acoustic, signal shall activate when the ignition (start) switch is 
in the “on” (“run”) position and one of the following conditions occurs: 
13.9.1 A fall in the supply pressure in a brake power unit to a level less than half of the 
normal system pressure. 
13.9.2 A drop in the level of brake fluid in any master cylinder reservoir compartment to 
less than the recommended safe level specified by the manufacturer. 
13.10 The parking braking system shall make it possible to hold the vehicle stationary 
on an up or down gradient of 18% even in the absence of the driver, the working 
parts being then held in locked position by  a purely mechanical device. In the case 
of vehicles with trailers, the gradient will be 12%. 
13.11 All motor vehicles GVW less than 3500kg( passenger cars , Multipurpose 
vehicles, Buses, Trucks, and dangerous goods vehicles), shall be provided with 
Anti lock braking systems (ABS). 
13.12 All passenger cars and multipurpose vehicles, buses, and trucks with less than  
                 3500 Kg (light duty vehicl es), shall be provided with Electronic StabilityControl  
                   Systems (ESC). 
                    FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON BRAKING SYSTEM REFER 
GSO/ ECE 13H (Light duty vehicles) . 
                   14- SUSPENSION SYSTEM 
   
 
14.1           Depending on the category of vehicle the suspension provided shall be suitable  
                   to give a comfortable ride to the passengers, to reduce the shocks to the vehicle  
                   from the uneven level of the road, to reduce the load transmitted from the                        vehicle to road surface and damage the road surface and to drive the vehicle  
                   safely without strain to the driver.  
14.2 Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with springs and shock absorber or any 
other shock absorbing system which ha s adequate capacity depending on the 
GVW of the vehicle, against the impact from the ground and can ensure safe 
driving on uneven and rough road. 
14.3 The suspension system provided for trucks  used in construction sites shall be 
suitable to carry the maximum load applied and the rough terrain in which they 
are used in GCC countries. 
14.4 The durability of the suspension system should be tested by carrying out 
durability tests in accordance with the relevant international and manufacturer's 
specifications.  
15- STEERING SYSTEM 
                    15.1 The steering system shall be such as to be easily and securely handled by the 
driver in his normal driving position. 
15.2 The steering wheel shall be on the left side. 
15.3 
       The steering system shall ensure easy and safe handling of the vehicle up to its    
                    maximum design speed or in case of a trailer up to its technically permitted  
                    maximum speed.  15.4         It must be possible to travel along a straight section of the road without unusual  
                    steering correction by the driver and without unusual vibration in the steering  
                    system at the maximum designed speed of the vehicle. 
15.5 The steering equipment shall be designed, constructed and fitted in such a way that it 
is capable of withstanding the stresses arising during normal operation of the vehicle, 
or combination of vehicles. 
15.6      The maximum steering angle shall not be limited by any part of the steering transmission 
unless specifically designed for this purpose. 
15.7 There shall be no considerable differen ce between the left and right steering force. 
15.8 For motor vehicles excluding heavy duty trucks and buses any steering column 
placed at an angle of not more than 35o, with the line parallel to the vehicle 
centerline, shall be shock absorbing and shall collapse away from the driver’s 
chest upon impact or sudden deceleration. 
                  
16- CONTROL DEVICES 
                    16.1 Every motor vehicle shall be provided with suitable controls, tell tales and 
indicators for the safe operation of the vehicle.   
 
16.2 The controls shall be located to left and right of the centre of the steering wheel 
and so as to be easily identified and operated by the driver in a normal driving 
position. 
16.3           The controls to be used by a driver while driving the vehicle shall be  
                   located so that  they are operable by the driver restrained by the  
                   crash protection system, adjusted to be free to move within  
                   constraints of that system. 
16.4            The tell-tales and indicators, shall be located so that they are visible  
                   and recognizable to a driver during night and day when activated. 
16.5           The identifications of te ll-tales, indicators and controls shall be  
                   placed on or adjace nt to the tell-tales, indicators and controls that  
                   they identify.  
16.6 The controls may be identified by symbols/or words. 
16.7 The location, identification, colour and illumination of the controls, telltales and 
indicators shall be in accordance with the relevant GSO regulation. 
 17-         FRAME AND BODY                       
17.1 The frame and body shall be so secure and strong enough as to fully withstand the 
operation of the vehicle. 
17.2 The chassy shall be strong enough to carry the maximum load applied to the 
vehicle in use. 
17.3 The whole design and construction of vehi cles, shall withstand the impact  forces 
to the front, rear, side and roof  to reduc e the likelihood of injuries to the driver 
and passengers. 
17.4 The external shape of a motor vehicle shall be free from any sharp or protruding 
rotating part likely to endanger other traffic. 
17.5 The flooring in all motor vehicles sha ll be substantially constructed free of 
unnecessary holes and openings and shall be maintained so as to minimize the 
entrance of exhaust gases. 
17.6 In case of passenger cars and multipurpos e vehicles the surfaces of metal bumpers 
which are most likely to come into contact with other objects shall be provided with rubber (or any equivalent material) of suitable hardness. 
17.7 Heavy duty trucks and trailers shall be mounted with front, rear and side shields ( 
front, rear and side under- run protecti ons)  to protect against under running of 
vehicles in the event of front, rear or side collision. 
17.8 The side protection devices shall be designed to offer effective protection to 
unprotected road users against the risk of falling under the sides of the vehicle and 
being caught under the wheels.             
 
17.9  Heavy duty trucks of GVW more than 7 tons and slow moving vehicles shall  be 
equipped with suitable rear reflective plates to avoid accidents. 
17.10 The front and rear of the vehicles sh all be provided with designated location 
sufficient in size to fix the number plates made in accordance with the GSO 
technical regulation No. GSO 289. 
                   FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON FRAME AND BODY REFER 
GSO 36, 37, 38, 39, 1707, 1708, 40, 289 AND 572. 
                   
18- COUPLING DEVICES AND TOWING METHODS 18.1 When two or more vehicles are operated in combination, the coupling devices 
connecting the vehicles shall be design ed, constructed and installed, and the 
vehicles shall be designed and construc ted so that when the combination is 
operated in a straight line on a level, smooth, paved surface, the path of the towed 
vehicle will not deviate more than 76 mm to either side of the path of the towing 
vehicle. 
18.2 Fifth wheel 
 Every fifth wheel assembly shall have a locking mechanism.  The locking 
mechanism and any adapter used in conjunction with it shall prevent separation of 
the upper and lower halves of the fifth wheel assembly unless a positive manual 
release is activated. 
18.3 Towing of full trailers 
 The full trailer shall be equipped with a tow-bar and a means of attaching the tow-
bar to the towing and towed vehicles.  Th e tow-bar and the means of attaching it 
shall meet the following: 
18.3.1 They shall be of structure adequate to withstand the weight being drawn. 
18.3.2 They shall be properly and securely mounted. 
18.3.3 They shall be provided with a locking device that prevents accidental separation 
of the towed and towing vehicles.  
                                                             
19- WHEELS (TYRES AND RIMS) 
19.1 The tyres shall withstand endurance test, high speed performance test, Bead 
unseating tests, Strength tests, Temperature resistance tests, Rolling resistance and 
wet grip tests specified in the relevant GSO technical regulations. 
19.2 Considering the environmental conditions prevailing in GCC countries Passenger 
car tyres shall be of “A” or “B”, temper ature rating and provided with a minimum 
speed symbol “S” (180 km/h) and higher rating tyres. 
19.3 Multi-purpose passenger ve hicles equipped with passenger car tyres, shall have 
tyres of “A” or “B” temperature rating and provided with speed symbol “S” (180 km/h) and higher rating tyres. 
19.4 Multi-purpose passenger vehicles, equipped with light truck (LT) tyres, shall be 
provided with speed symbol “S” (180 km/h) and higher rating tyres.   
 
19.5 No bus shall be operated with a regrooved, recapped or retreated tyre on a front 
wheel. 
19.6 No truck or truck tractor shall be op erated with regrooved or retreated tyres on 
front wheels which have a load carrying capacity equal to or greater than 4000 kg. 
19.7 The vehicles shall be provided with a spare tyre. The vehicles provided with a run 
flat tyre may be exempted from this requirement. 
19.8 All light duty vehicles shall be provid ed with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring system 
which informs the driver when a tyre is below the vehicle manufacturers recommended running pressure except those vehicles with dual wheels on an axle. 
                   FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON TYRES REFER GSO 
REGULATIONS 51, 52, 53, 645, 646, 647, 1052, 1783, AND 1784. 
                  
20- SEATS  
20.1
     Every adjustment and displacement system provided to the seats shall  
                   incorporate a locking system, which shall operate automatically. Locking  
                   systems for armrests or other comfort devices are not necessary unless the  
                   presence of such devices will cause additional risk of injury to the occupants of  
                   a vehicle in the event of a collision. 
20.2           The surface of the rear parts of seats shall exhibit no Dangerous roughness or  
                   sharp edges likely to increase the risk of severity of injury to the occupants.  
20.3            No failure shall occur in the seat frame or in the seat anchorage, the adjustment  
                   and displacement systems or their locking devices as a result of collision such                     as permanent deformations, including ruptures, that may increase the risk of  
                   injury. 
20.4            Seats and bench seats shall be firmly attached to the vehicle. 20.5            Sliding seats and bench seats shall be automatically lockable in all the positions                     provided. 20.6            Adjustable seat-backs must be lockable in all the Positions provided. 
20.7            All seats which can be tipped forward or have fold-on backs must lock    
                   automatically in the normal position. 
20.8        In the case of seats provided with head restraints, the strength of the seat-back  
                   and of its locking devices shall be strong enough to meet the required force                       without any breakage. 
20.9           Driver’s seat 
 The driver’s seat on a motor vehicle in the left side shall be so constructed and 
located that the driver can at all times have full view necessary for driving and 
that the driver can control the motor vehicle without being obstructed by the passengers or loaded goods, etc. 
20.10 Passenger’s seats 
20.10.1 Except in the case of seats located facing one another, where the minimal distance 
between them should be double those specified for the ordinary located seats, the 
space between the foremost edge of a seat cushion and the back of a seat, partition, etc., located ahead shall be su fficient for the passenger to move out from 
the seat easily without any obstruction or difficulty.   
 
20.10.2 The distance between the seats at the aisles shall be sufficient for the passengers 
to exit in an emergency without any obstruction or difficulty and be not less than 
300mm, and 270mm for buses with not more than 15 seats.  
20.10.3 Vehicles carrying children shall not be equipped with spare seats. 
         
21- SAFETY BELTS  
          21.1            The hardware of seat belt assemblies shall be designed to prevent attachment                       bolts, and other parts from becoming disengaged from the vehicle while in  
                   service. 
21.2          The seat belt assembly anchorages shall ensure proper location for  
                   effective occupant restraint and to reduce the likelihood of their failure  
                   during impact. 
21.3 Motor vehicles shall be equipped with  safety belt assemblies and safety belt 
anchorages in order to restrain the passengers on the seats from moving forward 
or inclining their upper torso forward excessively in case of collision. 
21.4 The front and rear outboard seats of passenger cars and multipurpose vehicles 
shall be provided with three-point safety belts, the other seats and seats of all 
other vehicles shall be provided with eith er two point or three-point safety belts 
except side facing seats. 
21.5 All three-point belts shall be provided with retractor, and in the two-point belts 
shall be optional. 
21.6 The belt assembly shall be so designed and constructed that when correctly 
installed and properly used by an occupant its satisfactory operation is assured and 
it reduces the risk of bodily injury in the event of an accident. 
21.7 Straps and other hard ware shall be free from burrs and sharp edges, and located 
in the assembly in such a manner that the possibility of injury to the wearer is 
minimized and liable to cause wear or breakage. 
      
                   FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON SAFETY BELTS REFER GSO 96 
AND 97. 
 
22-          AIR BAGS 
22.1        The air bag shall be located in suitable position to assist in preventing the      
                   driver’s head a nd chest from impacting the steering wheel or windshield. 
22.2 The material used to inflate the bag shall not be toxic and cause any irritation.  
22.3 Passenger cars, Multipurpose Passen ger vehicles, buses and trucks carrying 
twenty two (22) passengers and less shall be provided with air bags to the driver 
side and the front passenger side.   
 
22.4 The curtain air bags if provided to the side of the vehicle shall comply with the 
above requirement and shall activate in a side impact situation. 
                   
23- WINDSHIELD AND WINDOW 
          
23.1          The windshield shall retain in its position during and impact to keep the      
                   vehicle occupants within the confines of the passenger compartment and  
                   to reduce crash injuries and fatalities.       
23.2 The glass of a windshield shall be laminated and all windows on every motor 
vehicle shall be of safety glass or laminated. 
23.3        The  glass shall be free from faults such as blisters, bubbles, cracks,   
                    crazing, scratch, separation, wedge and shall not have any colour/tint,                         which shall interfere with the appearance, service or vision. 
23.4         The windshield shall have surfaces sufficiently resistant to abrasion,  
                    likely to be encountered in normal traffic such as spot crack and     
                    possibility of propagation of this crack to be minimum. 
23.5             The glass provided shall not be affected by the atmospheric conditions,  
                    chemicals and heat. 
23.6             The glass provided shall be such that in the event of shattering, due to    
                    an accident or otherwise, the danger of injuries to persons around, is  
                    reduced to minimum. 
23.7 The glass of a windshield shall be such th at even if the glass is broken, the driver 
can still have a view of near the front  of the vehicle through the broken glass. 
23.8 The allowable minimum light transmissi bility for the windshield glasses, Rear 
glass, and all side Windows of motor vehicl es shall not be less than 70%. It shall 
not obstruct any visibility from outside to inside. 
23.9 The rear window shall be provided with suitable anti fog system where necessary. 
                   FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON WINDSHIELD REFER GSO 
1677. GSOISO 3537 AND GSOISO 3538) 
                     
24- HEAD RESTRAINT 
         24.1 Front outboard seats of passenger vehicles with GVW not exceeding 3500kg  
shall be tower back type or equipped with adjustable head restraints.  For the other 
seats the head restraints may be optional. 
24.2 It shall be designed and constructed to be  of a suitable size so as not to cause the 
occupant’s head or neck injury as a result of impact in rear - end. 
24.3 Adjustable type restraint shall be so mounted as not to become dislodged as a 
consequence of vibration, impact, and it  s h a l l  n o t  b e  p o s s i b l e  t o  e x c e e d  t h e  
maximum prescribed height for use without voluntary action by the user in 
addition to adjusting operation. 
24.4      The presence of the head restraint must not be an additional cause of danger to       
 
                   occupants of the vehicle.  In particular, it shall not in  any position of use exhibit  
                   any dangerous roughness or sharp edge liable to increase the risk or  
                   seriousness of injury to the occupants. 
24.5            The head restraint shall be secured to the seat or to the vehicle structure in such  
                    a way that no rigid and dangerous parts project from the padding of the head  
                    restraint or from its attachment to the seat-back as a result of the pressure                      exerted by the head . 
24.6         The dimensions and the performance of head restraints shall be as specified in  
                    GSO regulation. 
24.7         The height of the seat back shall be less than 70cm from the seating  
                     reference point, if the seats are not provided with head restraints.    
                    FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON HEAD RESTRAINT REFER 
GSO 1598. 
                         
25- REAR-VIEW MIRRORS 
                   
 
25.1            The vehicles shall be provided with devices for indirect vision to observe the    
                   traffic area adjacent to the vehicle which cannot be observed by direct vision.  
                   These can be conventional mirrors, camera-monitors or other devices able to                     present informati on about the indirect field of vision to the driver.  
25.2 The rear-view mirrors shall be of adjustable type and mounted in such a manner 
that by means of them, the driver in his seat can clearly observe the traffic 
conditions of other vehicles on both sides,  right and left of the vehicle, and 
directly behind and is also able clearly to  observe traffic conditions near the right 
side of the vehicle, other than in the area he in his seat can view directly. 
25.3 The mirror and mounting shall be free from sharp projecting edges or points 
which may cause injury and the external mirror holder shall be of breakaway or 
folding type. 
25.4 The mirrors shall be firmly fixed in such a way that, they will not move so as 
significantly to change the field of vision and thus cause the driver to misinterpret 
the nature of the image perceived when the vehicle is moving at high speed. 
25.5 The internal mirror shall be adjustable by  tilting in both the horizontal and vertical 
directions from the driver’s seated position and shall not cause any injury to the 
driver in an impact. 
 25.6 The external mirrors shall be directly visible from the normal driving position, 
through the side windows or through the windscreen. 
25.7 The external mirrors and the mounting shall not protrude beyond the widest part 
of the body of the vehicle, except to the extent necessary to produce a field of vision necessary. 
                                    FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON DEVISES FOR INDIRECT 
VISION REFER GSO 422. 
   
 
26- SOUND SIGNALLING DEVICE (HORN) 
                    26.1 Every motor vehicle other than a trailer and semi-trailers shall be equipped with a 
horn. 
26.2         The horn shall emit a continuous and uniform sound and its acoustic spectrum  shall 
not vary during its operation. 
26.3           The sound level shall not be a nuisance to the public and the other vehicle users.  
26.4 Except for priority vehicles, no horn shall produce a sequence of sounds of 
varying frequencies. 
                   FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON SOUND SIGNALLING DEVISES 
REFER GSO 99 AND GSOISO 6969/2007. 
 
 27- POLLUTION   
                   General: The GSO motor vehicles exhaust emissions regulations are under  
                   revision, based on ECE 83/2005 Euro IV limits and ECE R 49 ECE Euro  
                   IV, and the revised regulation will be enforced starting from 2017 model  
                   year vehicles.   27.1 Light duty unleaded gasoline engined vehicles regulations are applicable to the 
following:  
27.1.1 Exhaust emissions at normal ambien t temperature, evaporative emissions, 
emissions of crankcase gases, durability of pollution control devices and on board 
diagnostic systems of motor vehicles with maximum mass not exceeding 3500kg. 
27.1.2 Exhaust emissions at normal ambien t temperature, evaporative emissions, 
emissions of crankcase gases, durability of pollution control exhaust devices and 
on board diagnostic systems of hybrid elec tric vehicles with maximum mass not 
exceeding 3500kg. 
27.1.3 The components liable to affect the emission of gaseous pollutants from gasoline 
engines shall be so designed, constructed and assembled as to enable the engine, 
in normal use to comply with GSO regulations. 
27.1.4 There shall be no emission from the crankcase of the vehicle to the atmosphere. 
27.1.5 The evaporative emission emitted from the fuel system shall not exceed 2.0 
grams/test. 
27.1.6       The tests shall be carried out in accordance with GSO regulations Nos. 1681,  
1682, 1683, 1684, 1685 and the limits of pollutants to be complied shall be in 
accordance with GSO regulation No.1680. 
                   FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON EXHAUST EMISSIONS FOR 
UNLEADED GASOLINE ENGINED VEHICLES REFER GSO 1680, 1681, 
1682, 1683, 1684 AND 1685. 
                     
27.2 Light duty diesel engined vehicles regulations are applicable to the following:   
 
27.2.1 Exhaust emissions, the durability of anti pollution devices and on board diagnostic 
systems of motor vehicles with the maximum mass not exceeding 3500kg.  
27.2.2     Exhaust emissions, durability of anti pollution devices and on board diagnostic 
systems of hybrid electric vehicles with the maximum mass not exceeding 
3500kg.  
27.2.3 The components liable to affect the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants 
from diesel engines shall be so designed, constructed and assembled as to enable 
the engine, in normal use to comply with GSO regulations. 
27.2.4 There shall be no emission from the crank case of the vehicle to the atmosphere. 
27.2.5 The tests shall be carried out in accordance with GSO regulations Nos. 1041, 
1042 and the limits shall be in accordance with GSO regulation No.1040. 
                      
27.3 Heavy duty gasoline engined vehicles 
27.3.1 The heavy duty gasoline engine vehicles shall comply with the exhaust emission 
requirements based on the ECE regulations  and/or FMVSS regulations and other 
country of origin standards, until the GSO regulation for heavy duty Gasoline 
Engine Vehicles on exhaust emissions are formulated. 
27.3.2 The components liable to affect the emission of gaseous pollutants from gasoline 
engines shall be so designed, constructed and assembled as to enable the engine, 
in normal use to comply with GSO regulations. 
27.3.3 The carbon monoxide in the exhaust gases at idle speed shall not exceed 3.5% by 
volume when testing the vehicle in accordance with Gulf standard to be formulated No. ....... “Motor Vehicles - Me thods of Test for Pollutants Emitted 
from Heavy Duty Gasoline Vehicles”. 
27.3.4 There shall be no emission from the crankcase of the vehicle to the atmosphere. 
                              
27.4 Heavy duty diesel engined vehicles 
27.4.1 The components liable to affect the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants 
from diesel engines shall be so designed, constructed and assembled as to enable 
the engine, in normal use to comply with GSO regulations. 
27.4.2 The use of defeat device and irrational emissions control strategy is not allowed. 27.4.3 The heavy duty diesel engine vehicles exhaust emissions shall comply with GSO 
regulation No 144, and the tests shall be  carried out in accordance with GSO 
regulations No.145 and 146. 
                   FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON EXHAUST EMISSIONS FOR 
DIESEL ENGINED VEHICLES REFER GSO 144, 145 AND 146. 
               Note: For UAE, exhaust emission regulations are under revision based on ECE R 49      
                Euro V limits 
 
28- VEHICLE EXTERIOR NOISE LEVELS 
                      
 
28.1 The vehicle, its engine and its noise reduction system shall be so designed, 
        constructed and assembled as to enable the vehicle, in normal use, despite the 
                    vibration to which it may be subjected, to comply with the provisions of this                     requirements. 
28.2         The noise reduction system sh all be so designed, constructed and assembled 
                    as to be able to reasonably resist the corrosive action to which it is                     exposed having regard to the conditions of use of the vehicle and the  
                    environmental conditions prevailing.. 
28.3        The noise made by the vehicle shall be measured by the two methods  
                    described in GSO technical regulation the vehicle in motion and the  
                    vehicle in stationary.  28.4             In the case of a vehicle where an internal combustion engine does not operate  
                    when the vehicle is stationary  , the emitted noise shall only be measured  
                    during  motion. 
 
                        FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON NOISE EMISSIONS REFER 
GSO 1624.                 
                        
29- FLAMMABILITY OF INTERIOR MATERIALS 
29.1 The materials used in the occupant compartments of motor vehicles shall reduce deaths 
and injuries to motor vehicle occupants ca used by vehicle fires, especially those 
originating in the interior of the vehicle fro m sources such as matches, cigarettes or 
electrical short circuits. 
 
29.2 The materials used in the interior compartment, engine compartment, any other heating 
compartment of the vehicles shall comply with this regulation with respect to burning 
rate of 100mm/min when tested in accordance with GSO technical regulation. 
29.3 The material used for the interior compartment shall be bounded by Roof, Floor, Side 
walls, Doors, Outside glazing, Rear compartment bulkhead, Back support, Head restraints, Seats and Curtains. 
29.4  The materials and/or equipment used in the interior compartment, the engine                compartment and any separate heating compartment shall be so installed as to  
         minimize the risk of flame development and flame propagation. 
29.5  Any adhesive agent used to affix the interior material to its supporting structure shall           not, as far as possible, exacerbate the burning behaviour of the material. 
29.6  Electric cables inside the passenger compartment shall undergo the resistance to  
         flame propagation test and comply with the GSO technical regulation. 
 
             FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON FLAMABILITY OF INTERIOR 
MATERIALS REFER GSO 98. 
               
 
30- LIGHTING EQUIPMENT 
          
30.1    General    
 
30.1.1  Only the approved lighting equipment shall be fitted to motor vehicle  
            and trailers. 
30.1.2 The lighting equipment shall be so fitted that under normal conditions of use and 
             notwithstanding any vibrations to which they may be subjected in such use their  
             satisfactory operation remains assured and they retain the photometric   
             characteristics prescribed in GSO regulations 
30.1.3   It shall be possible for the lamps to be correctly adjusted , if not misalignment 
             will affect the visibility and cause disturbance to on coming vehicles. 30.1.4 Lighting equipment mounted in pairs shall be of the same colorimetric 
requirements and symmetrically appropr iate photometric characteristics. 
30.1.5 No motor vehicle shall be equipped with a head lamp, which cause discomfort to 
the driver either directly or indirectly through the devices for indirect vision 
and/or other reflecting surfaces of the vehicle or other motor vehicles. 
30.2 Head lamp  
30.2.1 Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with head lamps one or two on each side, 
at the front, for vehicles with width more than 0.8m and maximum designed speed 
more than 20km/h. 
30.2.2 The intensity of the main beam head lamp or head lamps on the motor vehicle 
when on main beam setting, shall be capable of allowing any obstacle on the road 
at night at a distance of 100 meters to be seen clearly. 
30.2.3 The head lamps shall be of such construction that the intensity can be dimmed 
(low beam) or the direction of the beam can be dipped in order that other traffic 
may not be dazzled. 
30.2.4 The head lamps shall emit white light. 
30.2.5 A tell-tale device should be provided to  indicate the driver whenever the high 
beam is on. 
30.3 Stop lamp (brake lamp)  
30.3.1 Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a stop lamp on each side at the rear.  
Passenger cars and multi-purpose passenger ve hicles shall be provided with a high 
mounted stop lamp at the rear. 
30.3.2 Stop lamps shall be clearly visible even in day time from a distance to be clearly 
identified by the vehicles coming behind to avoid any rear impact. 
30.3.3 Stop lamps shall be actuated upon applic ation of the service brake of the motor 
vehicle or advanced braking features such as cruise control. 
30.3.4 Stop lamps shall display a red color. 
 
30.4 Rear position lamp  
30.4.1 Every motor vehicle shall be equipped w ith at least one rear position lamp on each 
side, at the rear.   
30.4.2 The intensity of rear position lamps shall be such that it will be clearly visible at 
night at a suitable distance to the rear to avoid any rear impact. 
30.4.3 The lamps shall display a red colour.   
 
30.4.5 Rear position lamps to motor vehicles shall be wired so that it will light 
simultaneously on both sides with the front position lamps. 
30.5 Front position lamp   
30.5.1 Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a front position lamp on each side at 
the front.  
30.5.2 The intensity of the front position lamps shall be such it will be clearly visible at 
night at a safe distance from the front of the vehicle. 
30.5.4 Front position lamps shall be so designed and constructed that they can be turned 
on with or without running the engine. 
30.5.5 Front position lamps are required to be white/amber in colour and shall be wired 
to light simultaneously. 
  30.6 Reversing lamp. 
30.6.1 Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with not more than two reversing lamps. 
30.6.2 The intensity of the reversing lamp shall be not greater than 5000 candela, and it 
should give a clear vision to the rear when reversing. It shall be white in colour. 
30.7 Direction Indicator Lamp 
30.7.1 Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with direction indicator lamps, two 
mounted on the front end and two mounted on the rear, direction indicator  light 
mounted on the side of the vehicle is optional. 
30.7.2 The intensity of the direction indicator lamps shall be such that it will be  visible 
from any height not more than 2.5 meters above the ground at a safe distance to 
the rear. 
30.7.5 Front and rear direction indicator lamps sh all, when in operation, be visible, even 
in daytime, and shall be amber/red in clour. 
30.7.8 A tell-tale device shall be provided to  inform the driver of correct operation. 
30.7.9 The direction indicator lamps may be so designed and constructed that they also 
act as the hazard warning flashing lamps. 
    
30.8 Hazard warning flashing lamp  
30.8.1 Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with hazard warning flashing lamps. The 
signal shall be given by simultaneous opera tion of the direction indicator lamps.  
30.8.2 Hazard warning flashing lamps shall comply with the requirements of direction 
indicator lamps specified in (item 30.7). 
       
30.9 Clearance lamp 
30.9.1 Tractors, trailers, semi -trailers and buses whose width exceeding 2.1 m shall be 
equipped with clearance lamps, with at least one on each side, at the front and at the rear. 
30.9.2 The clearance lamp shall be mounted so as to indicate the extreme width of the 
motor vehicle.   
 
30.9.3 The intensity of the clearance lamps (fr ont and rear) shall be clearly visible from 
night at a sufficient distance to avoid any accident by other vehicles. 
30.9.4 Front clearance lamps shall display an am ber or white colour and the rear shall be 
amber or red colour. 
30.10 Auxiliary head lamp 
 Auxiliary head lamps, if mounted, shall comply with the following requirements: 
30.10.1 No more than two auxiliary head lamps can be lighted at any time. 
30.10.2 The main beam of any auxiliary head lamp shall be directed downward. 
30.10.3 The light colour of auxiliary head lamps shall be white or light yellow. 
30.11 Side marker lamps and side reflector  
30.11.1 Any motor vehicle exceeding 6m in length shall be equipped with front and rear 
side marker lamps or side reflectors on both sides of motor vehicles.  
30.11.2 The side marker lamps shall be clearly visible at night at a suitable distance  from 
the side of the vehicle to avoid any accidents. 
30.11.3 Shall display amber colour for those equipped on the front and the center, and red 
or amber colour for those on the rear. 
30.11.4 The side reflectors shall be clearly visi ble at night at a sufficient distance from the 
side of the vehicle to avoid any accident when illuminated by head lamp beams. 
30.11.5 Shall reflect amber colour for the front and center side reflectors, and red or amber 
colour for the rear. 
30.12 Rear registration plate lamp  
30.12.1 Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a registration plate lamp of such 
construction as to illuminate, with a white light, the rear registration number plate, 
making it clearly visible from a distance of 20 meters to the rear. 
30.12.2 The registration plate lamp shall be wired so that it is on when the head lamps and 
front and rear position lamps are on . 
30.13 Courtesy lamps (room lamp  )  Every vehicle shall be equipped with suitable courtesy lamp(s) inside the 
passenger compartment . 
30.14 All motor vehicles shall be provided with a minimum of one rear fog lamp. The 
rear fog lamp shall be red in colour.  
                   FOR DETA ILED REQUIREMENTS ON LIGHTING EQUIPMENT 
REFER GSO 1503. 
                  
 
 31- DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS (LIGHT DUTY     
            VEHICLES) 
 
31.1       The door locks and side door retention components including latches, hinges, and    
              other supporting means, fitted to  the light duty vehicles shall be such to minimize  
              the likelihood of occupants being thrown out from the vehicle as a result of    
 
              impact. 
     
31.2       Latches and door retention components on any side door leading directly into a  
       compartment that contains one or more seating positions shall be so designed,  
       constructed and fitted as to comp ly with the provisions of this Regulation. 
31.3          Each latch shall have both an inte rmediate latched position and a fully latched       
       position. 
31.4       Latches shall be designed in such a way as to prevent the doors opening                    accidentally. 
31.5       The driver's door lock shall be lock ed from outside by the help of a key or by    
                  the help of a remote system for light duty vehicles. 
31.6       In passenger cars and multi-purpose vehicles, when the locking mechanism of  
                  the side rear door is engaged both the outside and inside door handles or other                    latch release controls shall be inoperative. 
31.7      In passenger cars and multipurpose vehicles, when the locking mechanism of the                   doors are not engaged, a telltale indicator lamp shall function to indicate the  
                 driver the one of the doors are not fully latched. 
                   FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR 
RETENSION COMPONENTS REFER GSO 420.       
32- SPEEDOMETER  32.1          Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a speedometer located in the driver's                       direct field of vision and is clearly legible by night and by day. 
32.2           The speed indicated by the speedometer fitted to the vehicle shall not be less 
                  than the true speed of the vehicle.  
32.3 The speedometer shall be graduated in kilometers per hour. 
32.4 The range of speeds shown on the speedometer shall include the maximum speed 
indicated by the manufacturer and the actual running speed of the vehicle. 
32.5 Graduation shall be of 1, 2, 5 or 10 km/h. 32.6 The numerical values shall be spaced at  intervals not exceeding 20 km/h intervals 
when the highest value on the dial does not exceed 200km/h and at intervals not exceeding 30km/h when the highest value on the dial exceed 200km . 
               
33-             ODOMETER 33.1           The odometer should be located in front of the driver's direct field of     
                   vision and to be clearly legible.  
33.2 Every motor vehicle shall be equipped wi th an odometer in a suitable place in the 
dashboard. 
33.3 Every mechanical type odometer shall be capable of indicating distance traveled 
from 0 to not less than 999,999 kilometers in one kilometer units.  Electronic odometers shall be capable of indicating distance traveled from 0 to not less than 
600,000 kilometers in one kilometer units.   
 
33.4 The odometer shall be of tamper proof and difficult to modify by design. 
 34- SPEED WARNING DEVICE AND SPEED LIMITING DEVICE  
                  
34.1            The speed warning device shall alert the driver at the set speed that the speed is 
too high and should reduce the vehicle speed in order to avoid accidents, injury 
and death. 
34.2           The speed limitation devices shall be fitted to the vehicle to control the speed of 
the  vehicles within the safe limit and to comply with the speed limits enforced by 
the authority for the Pilgrim buses and the dangerous good vehicles. 
            
34.3 Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with light and /or sound emitting devices 
which automatically give warning to the driver when the speedometer indicates a 
speed exceeding (120  5) km/h. The light shall be continuous and the sound shall 
be as a minimum once until the speed is reduced to below 120 km/h. 
                   As a minimum the visual light warning shall remain constantly on or flashing as 
long as vehicle speed continues to exceed 120  5 km/h.  As a minimum the  
audible warning should active once when the vehicle speed first exceeds 120  5 
km/h.  Unlike the visual warning this audible warning does not need to operate continuously, but if the vehicle speed drops below 120 ± 5 km/h and then 
increases again to exceeds 120  5 km/h it must sound operate again.  
34.4 The speed warning device shall be of such a structure that the warning signal 
cannot be stopped by means other than control of the speed by the driver. 
34.5 The speed limiting device shall function by controlling the fuel feed to the engine. 
34.6 The speed limiting device of the vehicl e shall be so designed, constructed and 
assembled as to resist corrosion and ageing. 
34.7 The speed limiting device shall be of a failsafe type and shall not affect the 
vehicle performance. 
34.8 Every heavy duty truck transporting danger ous substances (e.g. explosives ...) and 
pilgrim buses shall be equipped with speed limiting device in accordance with the 
GSO technical regulation to limit the maximum speed as specified by the 
concerned authority. 
                   FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON SPEEDWARNING AND SPEED 
LIMITING DEVICES REFER GSO REGULATION NO.1711. 
 
35- WINDSHIELD WIPING AND WASHING SYSTEMS 
                    35.1 Every motor vehicle shall have a power-driven windshield wiping system with at 
least two speeds; one shall be at least 45 cycles per minute and the other at least 20 cycles per minute, regardless of  engine speed and engine load.   
 
35.2 Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a windshield washing system that 
meets the requirements of th e relevant Gulf standard. 
                   
36-    UNDERRUN PROTECTION   
36.1 Front under run Protection          
36.1.1         All vehicles carrying goods, including tankers, mobile cranes, mobile    
                    Workshops of maximum mass exceeding 3.5 tones, shall be equipped with  
                    front under run protec tive devices to offer effective protection for passenger  
                    cars or vehicles carrying goods having maximum mass not exceeding 3.5  
                    tones against under running in the event of a frontal collision. 
36.1.2         If the vehicle is so designed and equipped at the front that by virtue of their  
                    Shape and characteristics, its component parts comply with the requirements  
                    Specified in GSO regulation, then the vehicle may not be necessary to be                      provided with front under run protective device. 
                                                         
36.2 Rear under run Protection  
36.2.1        All vehicles carrying goods, including tankers, mobile cranes, mobile     
                    workshops, trailers and semi-trailers of maximum mass exceeding 3.5 tones 
                    shall be equipped with rear under run protective devices to protect against  
                    under running of vehicles  in the event of rear collision with passenger cars,  
                    multi-purpose vehi cles and light duty trucks having a maximum mass not  
                    exceeding 3.5 tones. 
36.2.2          If the vehicle is so designed and equipped at the rear that by virtue of their  
                    Shape and characteristics, its component parts comply with the requirements 
                    specified in GSO regulation, then the vehicle may not be necessary to be                      provided with rear under run protective device. 36.2.3         The rear under run protective de vice to be installed to the vehicle shall be   
                    suitable to the vehicle to prevent under running of light duty vehicles. 
 
36.3             Lateral Protection   
    
36.3.1    All vehicles carrying goods, including tankers, mobile cranes, mobile    workshops, 
trailers and semi-trailers of maximum mass exceeding 3.5 tones shall be 
constructed and equipped in such a way as to offer, throughout their length, at 
both sides effective protection to unprotecte d road users against the risk of falling 
under the sides of the vehicle and being caught under the wheels.  
36.3.2          If the vehicle is so designed and/or equipped at the side that by virtue of their 
                    shape and characteristics, its component parts can be incorporated and/or  
                    regarded as replacing the lateral protective device and comply with the  
                    requirements specified in GSO regulation  then the vehicle may not be                     necessary to be provided with lateral protective device. 
36.3.3 The outer surface of the LPD shall be smooth, and so far as possible continuous 
from front to rear. 
36.3.4 LPD shall be essentially rigid and shall be mounted securely without any vibration 
in normal use of the vehicle. It shall be made of metal or any other suitable material.   
 
37-         Protection Against Theft  
               
37.1 All passenger cars and multipurpose vehicles with GVW less than 3500kg (light 
duty vehicles) shall be provided with an electronically coded immobilizer to 
prevent unauthorized use of vehicles. 
37.2       The immobilizer shall be so designed as to prevent the operation of  
                   the vehicle under its own power by at least one of the following  
                   means:- Disable at least two separate vehicle circuits that are                     needed for vehicle operation under its own power such as starter  
                   motor, ignition system ,fuel supply, transmission, gear shift control or steering.  
                 
37.3        The key and the lock shall not be visibly coded. 
 37.4         In the case of automatic transmission the transmission shift mechanism shall     
                    become locked in park position when the key is removed. 
 
                   FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON PROTECTION AGAINST  
                   THEFT REFER GSO REGULATION 1053.  
                   
38- Fuel consumption (Economy) measurement and Label   
38.1 All light duty vehicles with maximum weight equal or less than 3500 kg shall be 
provide with a label on fuel consumption efficiency. 
38.2 The label shall be displayed on to the inner side of the vehicle on to the rear left 
hand side window by the manufacturer of the vehicle. In case where it cannot be 
installed on the rear left hand window, the label shall be displayed on the front left 
hand side window. 
38.3 The measurement of fuel consumption for motor vehicles shall be carried out in 
accordance with the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) or Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) and shall be converted by the method adopted by the 
International Energy Agency (IEA) and indicated on the label. 
38.4 The fuel economy (consumption) of vehi cles shall be graded as shown below: 
                    a) Passenger Cars 
Level Grade Lower Limit(km/l) Upper limit(km/l) 
   1    Excellent            14.7            + 
   2  Very Good            14.2              14.69 
   3  Good            13.6                 14.19   
   4 Average             13.0            13.59         
   5 Poor            12.5           12.99  
   6 Very poor                -                  12.49    
 
                   b) Light Duty Trucks and Commercial vehicles   
 
Level Grade Lower Limit(km/l) Upper limit(km/l) 
   1    Excellent            12.1            + 
   2  Very Good            11.6              12.09 
   3  Good            11.1                 11.59   
   4 Average             10.5            11.09         
   5 Poor            10.0           10.49  
   6 Very poor                -                  9.99    
 
                   
38.5 The label shall be in accordance with the GSO regulation to be prepared on Motor 
Vehicle Fuel consumption measurement. The format of the label shall be as 
shown in Figure 1. 
38.6  The label shall be in Arabic and English, and the font sizes shall be as follows: 
                    
Details in Label  Arabic Font size 
(Arial bold) English Font size 
(Helvetica) 
Auto manufacturers name 
and Vehicle Name        12      11 
Model Year        12      11 
Engine Size (displacement)        12      11 
Vehicle Type        12            11 
Fuel Economy (Km/L)        20      16 
Fuel Types        25      17 
Fuel Economy value 
(Km/L)        25      17 
Fuel Economy rating 
(grade)        12      11  
 
              
 As a minimum the label shall have the following details: 
38.6.1 Type/model of the vehicle: 
38.6.2 Model Year of the Vehicles: 
38.6.3 Category of the Vehicle: 38.6.4 Fuel Type of the Engine: 
38.6.5 Engine displacement: 
38.6.6 Fuel Consumption measurement test Cycle : (NEDC/CAFÉ)   
 
38.6.7 Fuel Consumption results in CAFÉ  (Km/liter):   
38.6.8  The label shall be printed in black and white. 
  38.7 When carrying out the fuel consumption measurement the rolling resistance and 
wet grip of the tyres shall be documented in accordance with GSO/ISO standards 
28580, 23671 and 15222. 
38.8       The components liable to affect th e fuel consumption, elec tric energy consumption 
shall be so designed, constructed and assembled as to enable the vehicle, in normal use, despite the vibrations to which it may be subjected, to comply with 
the provisions of the GSO regulations to be prepared. 
38.9 The fuel consumption shall be expressed in km/litre. 
38.10 
        The electric energy consumption shall be expressed in Watt hours per kilometer  
                   (Wh/km) and the range in km, both rounded to the nearest whole number. 
38.11          A guide on fuel economy  shall be provided  advising the   
                   motorists that correct use and regular maintenance of the vehicle and                     driving behavior, such as avoiding aggressive driving, travelling at lower  
                   speeds, anticipation braking, correctly inflating tyres, reducing periods of  
                   idling, not carrying excessive weight, will improve the fuel consumption and                     reduce the CO2 emissions of their vehicle. 
              
39-         Impact Strength     
         These requirements are applicab le to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger  
                    vehicles, trucks and buses with  maximum GVW less than 4500Kg,  
                    depending on applicable GVWs as indicated in each regulation.   
39.1         FRONTAL IMPACT . 
                    This requirement specifies the limit of the rearward displacement of the  
                     steering to reduce the likelihood of chest, neck or head injuries. The body                       injuries are measur ed by using dummies with electrical impulse connections  
                     and measuring instruments. In the case of hybrid electric vehicles the  
                     electrical protection and electrolyte spillage are also measured. 39.1.2         After the frontal impact the part of the steering control surface directed  
                    towards the driver shall not present any rough edges likely to increase the  
                    danger or  severity of injuries to the driver. The steering displacement shall be  
                    less than 127mm. 
39.1.3          At the end of frontal impact no rigid component in the passenger                      compartment shall constitute a risk of serious injury to the occupants. 
39.1.4          The side doors of the vehicle shall not open under the effect of the impact to  
                     prevent occupant thrown out during an impact.. 39.1.5          As a result of impact the opening of doors to enable all the passengers to  
                    emerge shall be possible without the use of tools. 
39.1.6         The dummy performance criteria shall be complied to indicate that the  
                    occupants will not receive any serious injuries.  
39.1.7         Fuel Leakage:  
                       As a result of impact there shall no fuel leakage or should be a maximum  
                    amount specified (28g)  to avoid fire and to reduce deaths and injuries. 
39.1.8          Protection against Electrical Shock 
                   As a result of impact in th e case of hybrid vehicles one of the four conditions         
 
                   indicated  in items 39.1.8.1 to 39.1.8.4 below shall be complied to avoid any  
                   electric shock. 
39.1.8.1      The voltages between high voltage buses shall be low as possible. The voltages     
                   Vb,V1 and V2 of the high voltage buses shall be equal or less than 30VAC or  
                    60 VDC as specified in GSO regulation for highbred vehicles. 
        39.1.8.2      The total energy on the high voltage buses shall be low as possible. The total  
                    energy (TE) on the high voltage buses shall be less than 2.0 Joules when  
                    measured according to the test procedure specified in GSO regulation for  
                    hybrid vehicles. 
39.1.8.3        Physical protection                      The resistance betwee n all exposed conductive parts and the electrical chassis  
                    shall be low as possible, lower than 0.1ohm when there is a current flow of  
                    at least 0.2ampere. For protection against direct contact with high voltage live  
                    parts the protection IPXXB shall be provided. 
39.1.8.4       Isolation resistance                      The isolation resistance between the high voltage bus and the electrical chassis  
                    shall have a minimum value of 100 Ω/volt of the working voltage for DC  
                    buses, and a minimum value of 500 Ω/volt of the working voltage for AC  
                    buses. 
                    For details of electric power train consisting of separate DC or AC buses and  
                    electrical power train consisting of combined DC and AC buses refer GSO  
                    regulations on hybrid vehicles. 
 39.1.8.5      Electrolyte spillage  
                       As a result of impact there shall no electrolyte leakage or should be a minimum  
                    amount specified (less than 7%)  to avoid fire or electric shock and to reduce  
                    deaths and injuries. In the period from the impact until 30 minutes after no  
                    electrolyte from the REES shall spill into the passenger compartment and no  
                    more than 7% of electrolyte shall spill from the REESS except open type                      traction batteries outside the passenger compartment. 
                    For details te st refer GSO regulation on hybrid vehicles.     
39.1.8.6       RESS retention  
                    As a result of impact the REESS (Electrical Power Train) shall not enter the  
                    passenger compartment during or after the impact .                     
                       FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON FRONTAL IMPACT  
                   REFER REVISED GSO REGULATION 36 AND 40.  
                
 
39.2            REAR IMPACT  
                    
                   This requirement specifies the limit of the inward displacement of the  
                   passenger compartment to reduce the likelihood of death and injuries. It also  
                   specifies requirements for the integrity of motor vehicle fuel systems. Its                     purpose is to reduce de aths and injuries occurring from fires that result from  
                   fuel spillage during and after motor vehicle crashes. 
 39.2.1        After a rear impact specified the amount of longitudinal displacement of the  
                  vertical projection of the floor shall be such that it will not cause any injury to    
 
                  the occupant. The rear displacement should be less than 75mm. 
39.2.2        After the impact on the vehicle the following shall be met: 
39.2.2.1     There shall be no rigid component project out to cause Injury. 
39.2.2.2     The side doors of the vehicle shall not open under the effect of the impact to  
                  prevent occupant thrown out during any impact. 
39.2.2.3     The opening of doors to enable all the passengers to emerge shall be possible                    without the use of tools. 
39.2.3        Fuel Spillage 
                  As a result of impact there shall no fuel leakage or should be a maximum  
                  amount specified  (28g) to avoid any fire and to reduce deaths and injuries.                 
  FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON REAR IMPACT  
                  REFER GSO REGULATION 37 AND 40.  
 39.3          SIDE IMPACT  
                 This requirements is to protect the occupants in side impact crashes. The  
                 purpose of this regulation is to reduce the risk of serious and fatal injury to     
                 occupants of the vehicles  in case of serious accidents. It also covers the  
                 requirements to avoid elect rical shock and fatal accidents if the vehicle is    
                 hybrid electric vehicle. 
39.3.1       Static  side Impact  
39.3.1.1    The side doors shall be reinforced to reduce the impact forces from the side and  
                 to reduce the injuries or deaths due to side impact.   
39.3.1.1    The strength of the body structure and doors shall be such when tested 
                 the vehicle in accordance with Gulf standard the vehicle shall meet the  
                 following requirement to indicate the structure is strong enough to aborsbe the 
                 forces applied on them: 
-      The initial crush resistance be more than 1020 kg. 
-          The intermediate crush resistance be more than 1590 kg. 
-          The peak crush resistance be more than twice the curb weight of the vehicle 
            or 3175 kg whichever is less. 
 
39.3.2        Dynamic side Impact                 
39.3.2.1     The body injuries are measured by using dummies with electrical impulse  
                  connections and measuring instruments. 
                  After the impact, the head performance criteria, Rib performance criteria,  
                  Viscous criterion, public symphysis peak force and abdominal peak force shall    
                   be complied with the requirements indicating the side doors are strong enough  
                   that the occupants will not receive any serious injuries in a side impact with  
                   other vehicles or rollover accidents.  
39.3.2.2    
  At the end of specified impact no rigid component in the passenger  
                   compartment shall constitute a risk of serious injury to the occupants. 39.3.2.3     The side doors of the vehicle which are not impacted shall not open under the  
                   effect of the impact , and the latches shall not se parate from the striker to  
                   prevent occupant thrown out during an accident..   
 
39.3.2.4     As a result of impact the opening of sufficient number of doors to enable all the 
                   passengers to emerge shall be possible without the use of tools. 
39.3.2.5      Fuel Leakage:  
                       As a result of impact there shall no fuel leakage or should be a minimum  
                   amount specified (28g)  to avoid fire and to reduce deaths and injuries. 
 39.3.2.6      Protection Against Electric Shock. 
                   After the side impact on hybrid vehicles the conditions indicated in item 39.1.8    
                   shall be complied to avoid electric shock and safety for the following: 
                   Absence of high voltage. 
                   Low electrical energy 
                   Physical protection 
                   Isolation resistance 
                   Electrolyte spillage 
                   RESS retention. 
                      FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON  SIDE IMPACT   
                  REFER GSO REGULATION 38, 1707, 1708 AND 40.  
                   
39.4 Roof Strength 
            This requirement establishes strength requirement for the passenger compartment     
            roof to reduce deaths and injuri es due to crushing of the roof into the occupant  
            compartment in rollover crashes. 
39.4.1 The maximum displacement of any vehi cle less than 2722kg after the impact the  
            roof of vehicle shall not exceed  127 mm when tested  according to GSO regulation. 
            FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON ROOF STRENGTH  
            REFER GSO REGULATION 39 AND 40.  
 
40- EXTERIOR PROTECTION  
      
40.1 This requirement is applicable to passenger cars 
 
40.2      The exterior devices provided to the vehicles shall reduce damage to this vehicle  
             in an accident situation. 
40.3     Surfaces of protective devices at the front and rear end of the vehicle which are  
            most likely to come into contac t with other objects shall be covered by, or made of  
            rubber, or equivalent material, of suitable hardness. 
           
            FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON EXTERIOR PROTECTION              REFER GSO REGULATION 41.  
 
41. HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE   
 
41.1    The requirements specified in this technical regulation shall reduce deaths and  
            injuries during a crash, during electric shock, which occur because of electrolyte  
            spillage from propulsion batteries, intrusion of propulsion battery system              components into the occupant compartment and electric shock. 
41.2    This requirement is applicable to hybrid/electric passenger cars, multi- 
            Purpose passenger vehicles , trucks and buses with maximum designed speed  
            exceeding 25km/h. 41.3     Protection against electrical shock 
           
41.3.1     Protection against direct contact 
41.3.1.1 The protections against direct contact with live parts, such as solid insulator,  
               barrier, enclosure, etc. shall not be able to be opened, disassembled or removed                 without the use of tools which can be done only by a competent person. 
41.3.1.2 Connectors 
               Connectors shall meet the following:                Located underneath the floor and are provided with a locking mechanism. Or 
               Provided with a locking mechanism and other components shall be removed with  
               the use of tools in order to separate the connector. Or 
              The voltage of the live parts becomes equal or below DC 60V or below AC 30V(  
               rms) within 1 second after the connector is separated.                 
41.3.2 .  Protection against indirect contact 
41.3.2.1The exposed conductive parts, such as the conductive barrier and enclosure, shall  
              be galvanically connected se curely to the electrical chassis by connection with  
              electrical wire or ground cable, or by welding, or by connection using bolts, etc. so                that no dangerous potentials are produced. 41.3.2.2 The resistance between all exposed conductive parts and the electrical chassis               shall be less than 0.1ohm when there is current flow of at least 0.2amperes. 
41.3.3.  Isolation resistance 
41.3.3.1Mechanically robust protections that ha ve sufficient durability over vehicle service  
             life such as motor housings, electronic converter cases or connectors shall be  
             provided. 
 
41.4    Rechargeable energy storage system (REESS) 
41.4.1  Protection against excessive current 41.4.1.1The REESS shall not overheat. 
41.4.1.2 It shall be equipped with a protective device such as fuses, circuit breakers or main      
              contactors. 41.4.2. Accumulation of gas 
            Places for containing open type traction battery that may produce hydrogen 
            gas shall be provided with a ventilation fan or a ventilation duct to prevent the  
            accumulation of hydrogen gas.              
 
42- ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICULAR VEHICLES   
 
 In addition to the foregoing requirements in items 1 to 41, the following shall be 
met: 
42.1 Buses  
                   General: The safety re quirement for buses covers requirements for the retention of 
windows, the operating forces, opening dimensions, and marking for bus 
emergency exits. It also covers rollover protections. In order to avoid over loading 
the bus above the maximum weight allowed, number of seats allowed, and 
stability of the bus are covered. The safety requirements such as protection against fire, Electrical wiring, Exits, Interior arrangements, and Interior lighting are also 
covered. 
                  The following classes (I,II,III) are applicable for vehicles having a capacity 
exceeding 22 passengers in addition to the driver. 
                  Class I :    Vehicles constructed wi th areas for standing passengers, to                    
                                    allow frequent passenger movement. 
                  Class II :    Vehicles constructed principally for the carriage of seated 
                                     passengers, and designed to allow the carriage of standing  m           
                                     passengers in the gangway and/or in an area which does not exceed  
                                     the space provided for two double seats.                   Class III :   Vehicl es constructed exclusively for the carriage of seated 
                                     passengers.  
                   The following classes (A, B) are applicable for vehicles having a capacity not 
exceeding 22 passengers in addition to the driver. 
                   Class A :   Vehicles  designed to carry standing passengers; a vehicle of this 
                                     class has seats and shall have pr ovision for standing passengers. 
                   Class B :    Vehicles not designed to carry standing passengers; a vehicle of 
                                    this class has no provision for standing passengers. 
 42.1.1 Load Distribution 
 The load distribution shall be determined under laden and unladen conditions and 
on consideration for standing passengers of vehicle. 
42.1.2 Area available to passengers 
                   The surface area for pa ssengers shall be calculated by deducting from the total 
area of the vehicle, the area of the driver 's compartment, the area of steps at doors 
and the area of any other step with a depth of less than 300 mm and the area swept 
by the door and its mechanism when it is operated, the area of any part over which 
the vertical clearance is less than 1,350 mm measured from the floor, and the area 
of any space reserved solely for the carriage of goods or baggage.
 
42.1.3 Passenger capacity 
42.1.3.1 When calculating the total number of seating or seating and standing passengers 
the mass on each axle of the vehicle shall not exceed the values of their respective 
technically permissible maximum values.  
42.1.3.2 The vehicle shall be clearly marked in a manner visible on the inside in the 
vicinity of the front door in letters or pictograms the number of seating places for 
which the vehicle is designed, the maximum number of standing places if any the   
 
vehicle is designed to carry, the maximum number of wheelchairs which the 
vehicle is designed to carry and the to tal number of passengers for which the 
vehicles designed. 
42.1.4 Protection against fire risk. 
42.1.4.1      No flammable sound-proofing material or material liable to become   
                   impregnated with fuel, lu bricant or other combustible ma terial shall be used in  
                   the engine compartment unless the material is covered by an impermeable  
                   sheet. 42.1.4.2      Precautions shall be taken, either by a suitable layout of the engine  
                   compartment or by the provision of drainage orifices, to avoid, so far as  
                   possible, the accumula tion of fuel, lubricating oil or any other combustible  
                   material in any part of the engine compartment. 
42.1.4.3     A partition of heat-resisting material shall be fitted between the engine                    compartment or any other source of heat and the rest of the vehicle. 
42.1.4.4     The fuel filler hole caps shall be so designed and constructed that they cannot be   
                   be opened accidentally. 42.1.4.5      The fuel tank shall be made so as to be corrosion resistant. 
42.1.4.6      All cables shall be well insulated and all cables and electrical equipment shall 
                   be able to withstand the temperature and humidity conditions to which they 
                   are exposed. In the engine compartment, particular attention shall be paid to 
                   their suitability to withstand the environmental temperature and the effects of                    all likely contaminants. 
42.1.4.7      No cable used in an electrical circuit shall carry a current in excess of that 
                   acceptable for such a cable in the light of its mode of installation and the 
                   maximum ambient temperature. 
42.1.4.8      Every electrical circuit feeding an item of equipment other than the starter, the 
                   ignition circuit (positive ignition), the glow-plugs, the engine-stopping device, 
                   the charging circuit and the battery earth connection shall include a fuse or a 
                   circuit breaker. 
42.1.4.9      All cables shall be well protected and shall be held securely in position in 
                   such a way that they cannot be damaged by cutting, abrasion or chafing. 42.1.4.10    All batteries shall be well secured and easily accessible. 
42.1.4.11    The battery compartment shall be separated from the passenger compartment 
                   and driver’s compartment and ventilated to outside air. 
42.1.4.12    The battery terminals shall be protected against the risk of short circuit. 
42.1.4.13    Space shall be provided for the fitting of one or more fire extinguishers, one                    being near the driver’s seat. 
42.1.4.14    Space shall be provided for the fitting of one or more first-aid kits.  
42.1.5         Siting of exits  
42.1.5.1      The service door(s) shall be situat ed on the right side of the vehicle that is  
                   nearer to the side of the road corresponding to the direction of the traffic. 42.1.5.2      The exits shall be placed in such a way that there is at least one exit on each 
                    side of the vehicle. 
42.1.5.3      The forward half and the rear ward half of the passenger space shall each 
                    contain at least one exit. 
42.1.5.4      At least one exit shall be situated  either in the rear face or in the front face of 
                   the vehicle unless an escape hatch is fitted. 
 
42.1.6        Exits   
 
         For security reasons the door should only be open from the inside, or at least  
                   when not locked also the emergency doors sometimes a once opening, break  
                   glass for instance. The power door should be perm itted providing they have a  
                   manual override. 
 
42.1.6.1      The minimum number of exits shall be dependent on the total number of                        passengers the vehicle is designed for and to be in accordance with the GSO    
                    regulation for buses. 
 
42.1.6.2      The minimum number of emergency exits shall be such that the total number 
                   of exits in a separate compartment is as follows:                                      
Number of passengers and driver Minimum total number of Exits 
                        1 - 8                  2 
                        9 - 16                   3   
                       17 - 30                  4 
                       31 - 45                                5 
                       46 - 60                  6 
                       61 - 75                        7 
 
 42.1.7 Every motor vehicle having more than 9 (8 passengers + driver) passenger seating 
capacity shall be equipped with either two service doors or one service door and 
one emergency door. The emergency exit sh all meet the following requirements: 
42.1.7.1 The emergency exit shall be located on the left side at the rear or in the rear of the 
passenger compartment.  The aisle leading to the emergency exit shall be free from any obstacles. 
42.1.7.2 The width and height of the emergency exit shall not be less than 550mm and 
1,250mm for buses having capacity exceeding 22 passenger seats. This is 
applicable for class I, II or III vehicles. 
 The width and height of the emergency exit shall not be less than 550mm and 
1,100mm for buses having capacity not exceeding 22 passenger seats. 
42.1.7.3 The emergency exit shall be equipped with an outward opening door that can be 
securely closed under normal conditions. 
42.1.7.4 The position and method of opening of the emergency exit shall be indicated in an 
easily legible way, at or near the emergency door. 
 
42.1.7.5 Emergency doors shall not be of the power operated or of the sliding type unless it 
is capable to manually override the system and open the door without power. 
42.1.7.6 All emergency doors on class I, II and III shall be provided with an audible device 
to warn the driver when they are not s ecurely closed. The warning device shall be 
operated by movement of the door catch or handle and not by movement of the 
door itself. 
42.1.7.7 Service doors shall be capable of being easily opened from inside and from 
outside when the vehicle is stationary.   
 
42.1.7.8 The width and height of the service door shall be 650mm (single) 1200mm 
(double) and 1650mm (classA), 1400 (classB). 
42.1.7.9      An emergency window (provided) shall have a minimum area of 400,000  
                   mm2. It shall be possible to inscribe in this area a rectangle measuring 500 mm  
                   x 700 mm. 
42.1.7.10    An escape hatch (if provided) shall have a hatch aperture with a minimum area                    of 400,000 mm2. It shall be possible to inscribe in this area a rectangle 
                   measuring 500 mm x 700 mm. 
42.1.8 Interior arrangement for buses havi ng capacity more than 22 passengers. 
                   The entrance door shall be constructed that passengers shall be unable open it 
easily. The door shall be equipped with the following items: 
42.1.8.1 The automatic lighting system which is lighted when the door opens. 
42.1.8.2 Support handles to provide comfort to passengers while boarding or alighting. 
handrails and stanchions of adequate st rength, present no risk of injury to 
passengers. 
42.1.8.3 A mechanism used to open it during the emergency from outside. 
42.1.8.4 Mirrors shall be provided to enable the driver to observe the condition near the 
entrance doors and inside the compartment from the driver's seat. 
42.1.8.5 The step edges shall have slip-resistant surfaces. 
42.1.8.6  The height of aisle and standing spa ce shall be suitable for standing passengers in 
case the bus (Class I and Class II) is provided with standing space. 
 No provision for standing space shall be made in buses carrying children. 
42.1.8.7 Every bus shall have an aisle easy and safe for access through and of width not 
less than 300 mm.  The aisle floor shall be covered with slip resistance material. 
42.1.8.8 Every bus shall be provided with a three-point safety belt for the driver seat and 
two point safety belt for the other seats. 
42.1.9 Access to service doors 
                   For vehicles having capacity more than 22 passengers. 
42.1.9.1      The free space extending inwards into the vehicle from the side wall in which 
                   the door is mounted shall permit the free space having the width and height               
                   given below in the table below:                    The measurement shall be taken parallel with the door aperture as it is 
                   from the starting position, to the position where the first step, after which it   
                   shall be taken at right  angles to the probable direction of motion of a person  
                   using the entrance
. 
                    
Vehicle Class Width of test Gauge (mm) Height of test Gauge (mm) 
  Class A               550              1650 
  Class B               550              1400  
  Class I               550                    1800 
  Class II               550                   1650      
  Class III               550              1550      
   
 
42.1.9.2      For vehicle having a capacity not exceeding 22 passengers: 
        When measured parallel with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the clearance 
        is not less than 220mm at any point and 550mm at any point being more than    
                   500mm above the floor or steps. 
42.1.9.3      Measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, there is a 
                   clearance of not less than 300 mm at any point and 550 mm at any point                    being more than 1,200 mm above the floor or steps or less than 300 mm 
                   below the ceiling .     
42.1.10       Access to emergency doors: 
42.1.10.1    The free space between the gangw ay and the emergency door aperture shall   
                    permit the free passage of a vertical cylinder 300 mm in diameter and 700 mm                      high from the floor and supporting a second vertical cylinder 550 mm in  
                    diameter, the aggregate height of the assembly being 1,400 mm. 
                      
42.1.11        Gangways 
42.1.11.1     The gangway(s) of a vehicle shall be so designed and constructed as to                      permit the free passage of passengers. The gangway shall have the following  
                     dimensions: 
                      
Class of 
Bus Space 
between 
seats 
above 
1400mm 
from the floor (B) Distance 
between 
seats from 
floor to 
900(mm) up 
(C)  Ht above 
1400mm 
(D) Total free 
space ht of 
the gangway 
from the 
floor (E) Ht above 
the floor 
where the 
free space 
is 350mm 
(F) 
        A      550       350       500       1900     900 
        B      450        300       300        1500      900 
        I      550       450           500       1900     900 
        II      550       350        500       1900        900 
        III      450       300        500       1900     900 
 42.1.12       Steps  
42.1.12.1     The maximum and minimum height and minimum depth of steps for service  
                    and emergency doors are given below:                                
                             
Classes  I and A II, III and B 
First Step from 
Ground Level Max ht  
Min depth 340¹ 380¹,²,5 
300* 
Other steps inside Max. height 
Min. height 
Min  depth250³ 
 350 4 
120 
200
                 
 230 mm for vehicles having a capacity not exceeding 22 passengers. 
1  700 mm in the case of an emergency door. 
2  430 mm in the case of a vehicle with solely mechanical suspension. 
3  300 mm in the case of steps at a door behind the rearmost axle. 
4  250 mm in gangways for vehicles having a capacity not exceeding 22 passengers.   
 
5  For at least one service door; 400 mm for other service doors. 
 
42.1.12.2   The height of a step shall be measured at the centre of its width at the outer       
                   edge. 
42.1.12.3    The width and shape of every step  shall be such that a rectangle as indicated 
                   in the table below can be placed on that step with not more that 5 percent of                    the area of the appropriate rectangle overhanging the step. 
                    
Number of 
passengers   More than 22 Less than or equal to 
22 
    Area First step(mm) 400x300 400x100 
 Other steps(mm) 400x200 400x100 
42.1.13       Passenger seats 42.1.13.1    Minimum seat width  
42.1.13.1   The minimum width of the seat cushion, measured from a vertical plane      
                    passing through the centre of that seating position, shall be:                    - 200 mm in the case of Class I, II, A or B; or 
                   - 225 mm in the case of Class III. 
                   The minimum width of the available space for each seating position, 
                   measured from a ver tical plane passing through the centre of that seating   
                   position at height between 270 mm and 650 mm above the uncompressed seat                     cushion, shall be not less than: 
                   - 250 mm in the case of individual seats; or 
                   - 225 mm in the case of continuous rows of seats for two or more passengers. 42.1.13.2   Minimum depth of seat cushion  
                  The minimum depth of a seat cushion shall be: 
                   - 350 mm in vehicles of Classes I, A or B, and 
                   - 400 mm in vehicles of Class II or Class III. 
42.1.13.3     Height of seat cushion                      The height of the uncompressed seat cushion relative to the floor shall be 
                     such that the distance from the floor to a horizontal plane tangential to the 
                     front upper surface of the seat cushion is between 350 mm and 500 mm.     
42.1.13.4     Seat Spacing 
                    In the case of seats facing in the same direction, the distance between the                     front of a seat sq uab and the back of the squab of the seat preceding it 
                     shall, when measured horizontally and at all heights above 
                    the floor between the level of the top surface of the seat cushion and a 
                    point 620 mm above the floor, shall not be less than: 
                     
                     
Class of bus Seat spacing (mm) 
   Class I, A and B   650 
   Class II and III  680 
                     
                   In the case of seats face one another the minimum distance between the 
                   front faces of the seat squabs of facing seats, as measured across the highest 
                   points of the seat cushions, shall be not less than 1,300 mm. 
 
42.1.13.5    Free height over seating position   
 
                   In the case of single deck vehicles, over each seating position and, except in 
                   the case of the seat(s) alongside the driver in a vehicle of Class A or B, its 
                   associated foot space, there shall be measured a free space with a height of 
                   not less than 900 mm measured from the highest point of the uncompressed 
                   seat cushion and at least 1,350 mm from the mean level of the floor in the 
                   foot space.                    In the case of vehicles for the seat(s) alongside the driver in a vehicle of Class  
                   A or B, these dimensions may be reduced to 1,200 mm measured from the floor 
                   and 800 mm measured from the highest point of the uncompressed seatcushion. 
 
 42.1.14       Communication with the driver 
42.1.14.1    On vehicles of Classes I, II and A, a means shall be provided to enable 
                    passengers to  signal that the driver should stop the vehicle. 
42.1.14.2    The controls for all such communication devices shall be capable of being        
                   operated with the palm of the hand. 42.1.14.3     Activation of the control shall also be indicated to the passengers by means of    
                    one or more illuminated signs. The sign shall display the words "bus stopping"  
                    or equivalent, and/or a suitable pictogram and shall remain illuminated until                      the service door(s)open. 
42.1.15        Driver's compartment  
42.1.15.1     The driver shall be protected from standing passengers and from passengers 
                    seated immediatel y behind the driver's compartment who may be projected 
                    into the driver's compartment in the event of braking or cornering.  42.1.15.2     The rear of the driver’s compartment may be enclosed by a partition; or a    
                     guard be fitted 
 
42.1.16       Driver's seat 
42.1.16.1    The driver's seat shall be independent of other seats. 42.1.16.2    The minimum width of the seat cushion, measured from a vertical plane  
                   passing through the centre of the seat, shall be: 
                   - 200 mm in the case of Class A or B; 
                   - 225 mm in the case of Class I, II or III. 
42.1.16.3    The minimum depth of the seat cushion, measured from a vertical plane                      passing through the centre of the seat, shall be: 
                    - 350 mm in the case of Class A or B; 
                    - 400 mm in the case of Class I, II or III. 
42.1.16.4   The minimum overall width of the seat back measured up to a height 
                   of 250 mm above the horizontal plane tangential to the uppermost surface of                    the uncompressed seat cushion shall be 450 mm. 
42.1.16.5   The seat shall be adjustable in its longitudinal and vertical positions and in   
                   its seat back inclination. It shall lock automatically in the selected position   
                   and, if fitted with a swiveling  mechanism, it shall lock automatically when  
                   in the driving position.                       
 
42.1.17       Interior Lighting   
 
 Internal electrical lighting shall be provided for the illumination of passenger 
compartment, crew compartments, any steps, access to exits, service doors and 
places where there are obstacles. 
42.1.18 Every pilgrim bus carrying more than ten persons shall be provided with the 
safety items namely, suitable engine (10kW/ton of the GVW), emergency exits, 
sufficient luggage compartment under the seating floor, heavy duty air conditioning, electrically operated refrige rator, water storage tank for ablution 
purposes, spare tyre and tools for changing wheels, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, 
intercom system to address the passengers, and special safe box. 
                   FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON PILGRIM BUSES                
                   REFER GSO REGULATION GSO 967.  
42.2 Trucks and trailers 
                   The trucks and its body shall be suitable with respect to the GCC terrain, 
operating conditions and climatic co nditions prevailing in GCC counties. 
42.2.1 The design and weight carrying capacity of the axles shall be suitable to the gross 
axle weights allowed by the manufacturer. 
42.2.2 Torque capacity of the clutch shall exceed the maximum delivered engine torque 
with at least 10%. 
42.2.3 The trucks/tractor with trailer fully loaded shall be capable of ascending not less 
than 15% grade ability. 
42.2.4 The trailers shall be provided with at least two spare wheels. 
42.2.5 Front supports of semi-trailers (standing legs) and lifting gears shall be capable of 
supporting the semi-trailers fully load ed plus 10% in excess of load. 
42.2.6 Tipper truck fully loaded shall not overturn during discharging when the tipper 
body reach the highest position. 
42.3 Motor vehicles carrying dangerous materials 
42.3.1 The electric wiring on the outside of the body, or in any part of the vehicle 
containing dangerous materials, shall be protected by an electrically insulated 
cover resistant to fire and firmly fixed to the vehicle body. The size of conductors shall be large enough to avoid overheating. Circuits shall be protected by fuses or 
automatic circuit breakers. 
42.3.2        The battery terminals shall be  electrically insulated or covered by the insulating 
                    battery box cover. If the batteries are not located under the engine bonnet, they 
                    shall be fitted in a vented box. 
42.3.3        Lamp bulbs with screw cap shall not be used. 
42.3.4        A switch for breaking the electrical ci rcuits shall be placed as close to the battery    
                    as practicable.                                 42.3.5        There shall be a clear space b etween the tank carrying dangerous goods and the  
                    driver's cab or the shield. 
42.3.6          The exhaust system (including the exhaust pipes) shall be so directed or protected 
                    to avoid any danger to the load through heating or ignition. Parts of the exhaust                     system situated di rectly below the fuel tank (diesel) shall have a clearance of at 
                    least 100 mm or be protected by a thermal shield.   
 
42.3.7 Every motor vehicle used for transporting dangerous materials shall carry 
markings indicating the nature of the load and the class of hazard in accordance 
with the relevant Gulf standard . 
                   FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON VEHICLES CARRYING       
                   DANGEROUS GOODS REFER GSO REGULATIONS GSO 972, GSO  
                   973, GSO 974 AND GSO 975  
42.4 Emergency motor vehicles 
42.4.1 Every emergency motor vehicle shall be equipped with a warning lamp and a 
siren and shall be painted with the identification colour(s) specified by the 
concerned authority. 
42.4.2 The warning light shall be of specified identifying colour and shall be clearly 
visible from a minimum distance of 20 meters to the front and to the rear. 
42.4.3 The sound level of the siren shall be, when measured at a distance of 3 meters 
ahead, within 90 to 120 dB(A). 
42.4.4 The vehicle shall be equipped with sufficient medical equipment to treat 
emergency cases while transporting the patients. 
42.4.5 The speed, acceleration and grade ability of the vehicle shall be sufficient to the 
vehicle depending on the geographical condition of the area. 
                   FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON EMERGENCY VEHICLES  
                   REFER GSO REGULATION GSO 963.  
42.5 Handicapped vehicles 
 The vehicle shall have particular features, purpose-designed for facilitating its use 
by the disabled and handicapped persons, such features shall be suited to the 
various kinds of disability or handicap  for the people using the vehicle. 
42.6            School Buses 
42.6.1      Diamensions . 
42.6.1.1 When calculating the total number of seating or seating and standing passengers 
the mass on each axle of the vehicle shall not exceed the values of their respective 
technically permissible maximum values.  
42.6.1.2 The vehicle shall be clearly marked in a manner visible on the inside in the 
vicinity of the front door in letters or pictograms the number of seating places for 
which the vehicle is designed, the maximum number of standing places if any the 
vehicle is designed to carry, the maximum number of wheelchairs which the 
vehicle is designed to carry and the to tal number of passengers for which the 
vehicles designed. 
42.6.1.3 The height of the bus shall not exceed 4.7m. 
42.6.2 The buses shall be classified as follows: 
                
                      
Type of Bus Length of Bus (m) Number of seats 
Mini Bus Between  5 – 6        22 or less   
 
Medium Bus Between 7 – 9       23 - 50 
Large Bus (Heavy duty) Between 10 – 12.5        51 or more. 
   
42.6.3 Body Structure. 
42.6.3.1 The structure of the body shall be strong with a close ring. 
42.6.3.2 The front and rear bumpers shall be installed to the body structure of the vehicle. 
42.6.3.3 The floor of the gangway shal l be of slip and wear resistant. 
42.6.3.4 The engine compartment shall be provided with heat and fire resistant material. 
42.6.3.5 There shall be no holes, spikes, sharp e dges or flaws that may lead injuries to the 
children when using the bus. 
42.6.4 Engine 
42.6.4.1 The engine shall be suitable for either domestic fuel as unleaded gasoline or diesel 
oil specially with respect to sulphur contents and the deterioration effect on the accessories provided for exhaust emission controls. 
42.6.4.2 Considering the environmental cond itions and the health effect of exhaust 
emissions gases the engine shall comply with at least Euro IV exhaust emissions 
pollution limits once the fuel available is suitable.  
42.6.4.3 The engine and its accessories shall be suitable for use in dusty atmospheric 
conditions and high ambient temperatures esp ecially as concerns the radiator (type 
and size), air filter, engine block cooling system, thermostat and battery in accordance with the relevant Gulf standards. 
42.6.4.3 The engine shall be powerful enough to the bus depending on the GVW and the 
terrain of the GCC countries.
 
Note : For, UAE Considering the environmental conditions and the health effect of exhaust 
emissions gases the engine shall comply with at least Euro IV (ECE R 83) and  Euro V 
(ECE R 49) exhaust emissions pollution limit s once the fuel available is suitable 
 
42.7 Brakes 
42.7.1        The front and rear wheels shall be provided with brake system depending on the 
GVW of the vehicle and the front wheel shall be of disc brakes and the drum 
brakes be provided with calipers. 
42.7.2 The buses shall be equipped with ABS system and brake retarder for drum brake 
system. 
42.7.3 The large size buses with heavy dut y engines shall be provided with brake 
retarders to control the braking system when travelling on down the slope or 
sudden braking. 
42.7.4 The heavy duty buses depending on the design requirement, the rear axles shall be 
equipped with duel wheels for each side.  
42.8 Tyres   
 
42.8.1 The tyres used shall be of approved type from GSO complying with applicable 
GSO technical regulations. 
42.8.2 The tyres shall be of tubeless type. 
42.8.3 Retreaded tyres shall not be used on the buses. 
42.9 Steering  
42.9.1 The steering system shall comply with the requirements specified in item 15 
above. 
42.9.2 Auxiliary steering equipment (ASE) and vibration dampeners shall be fitted to 
axles to avoid any accident in case of main steering system fails. 
42.10 Electrical 
42.10.1  The electrical system provided shall be suitably insulated. 
42.10.2 The circuit breakers provided shall be of sufficient capacity to avoid any fire in 
case of short circuit and operate when necessary. 
42.10.3  The lighting provided shall be of sufficient amperage and of damage resistance. 
42.10.4 The buses shall be provided with Air conditioners with capacity sufficient to the 
number of seating places, and should be able to be adjustable to a maximum 
inside temperature not exceeding 24ºC. 
42.10.5 The rear glass shall be provided with antifogging system.  
42.11 Seats   
42.11.1 Seats shall be fixed securely and have  fire resistance and the burning rate of 
100mm/min when tested in accordance with GSO technical regulation. 
42.11.2 All seats shall be padded from all sides and shall comply with the fire resistant 
requirement. 
42.11.2 All seats shall be provided with two point safety belts except the driver seat which 
must be of three point safety belt.. 
42.11.3 The width of the seat shall be not less than 40cm for a single seat and 90 cm for 
double seats. 
42.11.4 The height of the seat back shall be not less than 70cm. 
42.11.4 The seat back height from the floor shall be not less than 40 cm and the distance 
between the two adjacent seat back shall be not less than 70cm 
42.11.5 There shall be no folding seats obstructing the aisle space.  
42.11.6 The hand rest, arm rest provided shall be able to be removed from the backside of 
the seats. 
42.11.5 The gangway between two seats shall be not less than 50cm. 
42.12 Doors and Emergency Exits. 
42.12.1 The number number of exits and emergency exits shall comply with the 
following:  
                      
 
Length of Bus (m) Number of Exits Number of Emergency 
Exits 
   Less than  6 One door on the right 
side One Escape Hatch in the 
ceiling or one emergency 
window on the left. 
   Between  6   -  9 Two doors in the right 
side, one in the front and one at the rear Two escape hatches in the 
ceiling and two emergency exits one on  
the left and one on the 
right.  
  Between   10 – 12.5 Two doors in the right 
side one in the front and 
one in the rear. One Emergency door in 
the left side + two escape 
hatches in the ceiling and one emergency exit on 
the left side and one on 
the right side. 
 
42.12.2 The exit doors opening shall be controlled by the driver. The opening and closing 
mechanism shall be electrically controlled. 
42.12.3 The emergency door shall be located at th e bottom of the left side, with clear signs 
indicating the exit and without any obstruction.  
42.13 Windshield and Windows. 
42.13.1 The windshield shall be of laminated glass and provided with sun visor. 
42.13.2 Th3e transmissibility of the glasses shall not be less than 70%. 
42.13.2 The side window and the rear glasses shall be of laminated or safety glass. 
42.13.3 The side windows shall fixed with aluminium frames and open able up to 10cm 
maximum from the top and fixed at the bottom. 
42.13.4 The emergency windows shall be provided with hammers for breaking the glass in 
case of an emergency. 
42.14  Steps 
42.14.1 The height of the first step from the ground level shall not exceed 340mm. 
42.14.2 The height of the other steps shall not exceed 250mm. 42.14.3 The depth of the steps shall be not less than 230mm in case of small buses 
                   and not less than 300mm in case of other buses. 
42.15 Safety  
42.15.1 Every motor vehicle shall be provided with suitable changing wheel tools which 
must be in good condition such as jack; its lever and wheel spanner. 
42.15.2 The vehicle shall be fitted with speed limiters and the maximum speed of the 
vehicle shall be set at (80+ 0/-2). The speed limiters provided shall comply with 
the GSO technical regulation.   
 
42.15.3 There shall be a separate compartment for storing the school bags of the students, 
which must not obstruct the movement space, and shall not falls on students and 
cause injury during sudden stops or accidents. 
42.15.4 The entrance and exits opening of medium and large buses shall be fitted with 
hand rails. 
42.15.3 Every motor vehicle shall be provided with first aid box without any marking at a 
suitable location with sufficient “facilit y” for emergency treatment (e.g. bandage, 
flavones, cotton wool, etc). 
42.15.4 The vehicles shall be provided with two dry powder fire extinguishers 4.5 kg for 
small buses, two dry powder fire extinguishers for medium size buses and three 
6kg dry powder extinguishers for large size buses. 
42.15.5 The fire extinguishers shall be stored in a place that the driver is able to reach it 
easily (e.g. pillar, or under the seat, etc) with a sign indicating the place. 
42.15.6 The vehicles shall be provided with spare tyres and reflective triangles. 
42.15.7 The vehicles shall be provided with re d signs indicating "Frequent Stops" at the 
rear side of the school buses. 
42.15.8 The buses and coaches shall comply with all the relevant GSO technical 
regulations specially vehicle safety, seats, safety belts, mirrors , exhaust emissions, 
emergency exits and other safety requirement. 
42.16 Exterior Appearance 
42.16.1 The colour of the bus shall be yellow.( RAL 1018 Zink Gelb GL 841). 
                   Any parts which are made of nonmetallic material such as bumpers etc cannot be 
painted; those parts shall be in black. 
42.16.2 The word "School Bus" shall be written in black in Arabic and English, with the 
font size of of letters not less than 20cm height. It shall be written between the 
upper hazard lights or at the uppermost part on the front and rear sides of the bus, 
and in the middle of both sides of the bus. 
42.16.3 The size of the word "School Bus" together with the name and number of the 
operator shall not exceed 1500cm². 
42.16.4 The bus shall be fitted with a stop signal arm at the external directly behind the 
drivers door so that the word stop is displayed outwards with two red lights flashing when the bus stops. 
42.16.5 The buses shall be fitted with double re d flashing lights at the top of the bus at t 
The buses shall be fitted with double red flashing lights at the top of the bus at the 
front and rear sides. 
42.16.6 The buses shall be fitted with double yellow flashing lights at the top of the bus  
                   at the front and rear sides. 
42.16.7 The buses shall have a "School Bus" sign in Arabic and English on the right and 
left sides and at the rear side. 
42.16.8 The school bus sign shall be of reflec tive material and measure 25x25cm for large 
buses and 17x17 for medium and mini buses.   
 
42.16.9 The maximum speed of the vehicle shall be displayed in the rear side of the bus. 
42.16.10 The identity of the School bus shall be as shown in Fig.1. 
 
43- INCOMPLETE VEHICLES 
                   T he incomplete vehicles shall be completed in accordance with the technical        
                    information and instructions supplied by the incomplete vehicle manufacturer. 
43.1 The manufacturer shall supply the following information: 
43.1.1 The gross vehicle weight rating of the completed vehicle for which the incomplete 
vehicle is manufactured. 
43.1.2 Gross axle weight rating for each axle of the completed vehicle. 
43.1.3 A complete manual containing a techni cal instruction for completing the vehicle 
for its intended purpose. 
43.2 The final stage manufacturer shall complete the vehicle in accordance with the 
instructions supplied by the incomplete vehicle manufacturer. 
43.3 A label shall be affixed by the final stage manufacture in accordance with the 
relevant GSO regulation. 
                   FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON VEHICLES         
                   MANUFACTURED IN MULTI STAGE REFER GSO REGULATION  
                   GSO 153   
 
44- SAFETY REQUIREMENTS  
44.1 Every motor vehicle shall be provided with suitable changing wheel tools which 
must be in good condition such as jack; its lever and wheel spanner. 
44.2 It shall be provided with dry powde r fire extinguisher suitable for its size 
(minimum extinguisher medium capacity 1 kg) and type to the vehicle, stored in a 
place that the driver is able to reach it easily (e.g. pillar, below the dashboard or under the seat). 
44.3 It shall be provided with emergency e quipments such as reflector triangle and 
special tools to be used in emergency for quick repairs on road. 
44.4 Every motor vehicle shall be provided with first aid box without any marking at a 
suitable location with sufficient “facilit y” for emergency treatment (e.g. bandage, 
flavones, cotton wool, etc). 
44.5 Tire pressure gauge. 
44.6 The safety equipment mentioned in items 44.2, 44.3, 44.4 and 44.5 shall be 
provided by the vehicle manufacturer or by the dealer under the responsibility of 
the manufacturer of the vehicle. 
44.7 Any safety warning or statement provided with any vehicle parts shall be 
translated into Arabic.   
 
44.8 The information given in the Navigation system shall as a minimum be available 
in Arabic or Arabic and English. All data, maps and the voice guidance systems 
shall be in Arabic and English 
44.9 Any safety instructions indicated on the dash board to the driver shall be in Arabic 
or Arabic and English. 
44.10 All light duty vehicles shall be provided with brake throttle override system 
(BTO)  so that when applying the brake to reduce the speed of the vehicle. 
 45- INFORMATION OF VEHICLE 
45.1 The manufacturer shall affix, on the door edge, door latch post of each vehicle or 
on the chassis of the trailer, a label meeting the following requirements: 
45.1.1 It shall be made of material resistant to deterioration. 
45.1.2 The label shall, unless riveted, be permanently affixed in such a manner that it 
cannot be removed without being destroyed. 
45.1.3 The following information shall be written (in Arabic or English language) in 
letters at least 2.4 mm high and in a clearly legible manner: 
45.1.3.1 Name of manufacturer and country of manufacture (or assemble). 
45.1.3.2 Year and month of production. 
45.1.3.3 Maximum (gross) vehicle weight (GVW) in kilograms (for trucks). 45.1.3.4 Maximum (gross) axle weight (GAW) for each axle, in kilograms (for trucks). 
45.1.3.5 The statement “This vehicle complies with all GSO and National Motor Vehicle 
Technical Regulations in effect up to the date of manufacture”. 
45.2 Vehicle identification number. 
45.2.1 The VIN number shall contain 17 characters and shall comply with the relevant 
Gulf standard.  
45.2.2 The VIN shall be readable through the vehicle glazing from outside the vehicle 
adjacent to the left windshield pillar of  the light duty vehicles and shall comply 
with the relevant Gulf standard.  
                   FOR DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ON VEHICLES VIN NUMBER      
                   AND THEIR LOCATIONS REFER GSO REGULATIONS   GSO 1780  
                   AND 1782.  
 
46- OWNER’S MANUAL  (Operating Instructions) 
 Every vehicle shall be accompanied with manual in Arabic and/or English 
including the following: 
46.1 The technical specificati ons of the motor vehicle. 
46.2 Information relating to the operation of the vehicle. 
46.3 Information relating to the periodic maintenance.   
 
46.4 Technical information about the recommen ded tyre designation, inflation pressure 
and changing procedure. 
46.5 Information for the use and changing the spare wheel/tyre. 
46.6 The maximum speed limit, maximum torque and maximum power at .... rpm. 
46.7 An advice to motorist that correct use and regular maintenance of the vehicle and 
driving behavior , such as avoiding aggressive driving, travelling at lower speeds, 
correctly inflating tyres, reducing periods of idling, not carrying excessive weight, 
will improve the fuel consumption and reduce the CO2 emissions of their vehicles. 
   
 
   
 
Fig 1 :FUEL ECONOMY(Consumption) LABEL 
 
130 mm  
:اﻟﺻﺎﻧﻊ اﺳم                                                                                        Manufacturer’s Name:  
:اﻟﻣودﻳﻝ ﻧﺔﺳModel Year:
W= 65 mm    /  H=10 mm  :اﻟﻣﺣرك ﻌﺔﺳEngine Displacement:   
W= 65 mm    /  H=10 mm 
:اﻟﻣرﻛﺑﺔ ﺻﻧفVehicle Category:                                      
:اﻟﻣرﻛﺑﺔ ﻧوعVehicle Type:   
W= 130 mm    /  H=10 mm
                                                                       اﻟوﻗود اﻗﺗﺻﺎدFuel Economy  
W= 130 mm    /  H=10 mm  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
W= 49 mm  اﻟوﻗود ﻧوع  : 
Fuel Type: 
 
 
  
  
  
 
W= 47 mm اﻟوﻗود اﻗﺗﺻﺎد:   
Fuel Economy : 
  
  
ﺳﺎﻋﺔ/ﻛم   
Km/L  
  
 
W= 47 mm 
تغطيـــإزال أو كشــــة أو ھــــة البطاقــط قبـــذه البيـــة يعـــل للملاحقــــع  القانونيــرض  ةــــة 
Removing, Covering or Damaging of this label before sale is punishable by law 
W= 130 mm    /  H=10 mm 
 H=53 mm
H=53 mm
H=53mm
  175 mm