Bahrain introduces new digital system to pre-approve mobile food truck sites

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Mobile food trucks in Bahrain will be directed into bookable, pre-approved sites under an electronic system being prepared by the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, the Minister, His Excellency Wael Al Mubarak, has told Parliament. “An electronic system will be launched that enables the food-truck owner to apply to reserve the desired site,” he said in a written reply to MP Jalal Kadhem. He added that initial locations have been identified across the country and that the process will be announced once procedures are completed and applications can be received. H.E. Al Mubarak said his ministry’s role is to set the rules for where mobile food vehicles can park and trade under Decision No. 38 of 2020, while the operating licence for the activity is issued by another government body.

Approval

He said owners must also obtain approval from the Capital Municipality or the relevant municipality to operate on property owned by, or allocated to, the municipalities. Site rules in the reply require written consent from the property owner and ban parking within the street right-of-way or directly in front of residential buildings. Trucks must keep 50 metres from junctions, roundabouts and traffic lights and leave at least one metre between their vehicle and others in every direction. The reply also calls for safe electrical connections, proper waste disposal, compliance with Civil Defence rules, and steps to avoid noise affecting nearby buildings.

Property

For sites in residential zoning, H.E. Al Mubarak said the property must provide parking within its boundaries and trading hours are limited from 6 am until midnight. Trucks must leave outside those hours, with no equipment or furniture left behind in the neighbourhood. The rules also set a minimum distance of 20 metres from neighbouring buildings, allow non-fixed tables and seating by agreement with the owner, and permit the use of a silent generator. For non-residential properties, the trading period is agreed with the owner.

Agreement

Non-fixed seating and fencing can be used by agreement, while permanent structures require a building permit submitted in the property owner’s name, with written consent, and in line with planning rules. The minister said 18 mobile food vehicles have been approved for licensing within properties owned by Municipalities Affairs. In the same reply, H.E. Al Mubarak gave new figures on street vendors, putting the total number of licensed street vendors across Bahrain at about 31. The ministry issued 10 licences in 2023, seven in 2024 and 14 in 2025, and Muharraq Municipality suspended one licence for breaching planning conditions and criteria, he said.