Traffic rules in Dubai

How to drive in Dubai?

Driving is one of the best ways to explore the attractions in Dubai. Renting a car gives you the freedom to go wherever you want, when you want, and with more flexibility than when using public transport. Driving a car during your holiday is particularly popular in Dubai, where it is easy to find cheap rental cars and the price of fuel is one of the lowest in the world (read the article about how much fuel costs in Dubai). Driving safely in Dubai requires knowledge of local traffic regulations.

The driving culture in Dubai is similar to that in most European countries, but there are small but important differences. Drivers in Dubai drive quite chaotically. It is quieter on highways and expressways, but the city is crowded and often congested. Drivers rarely adhere to the ‘fast left, slow right’ rule and are known to overtake on the right. However, this is becoming less common as the Dubai government is introducing stricter penalties for exiting motorways too late or for overtaking in the wrong places.

Traffic regulations in Dubai

What are the traffic rules in Dubai? What do you need to know about driving in Dubai? We have summarised the most important rules for you to make driving in Dubai easier. These are not only the rules for driving in Dubai for foreigners, but also the general traffic rules in the United Arab Emirates. These are the most important rules for tourists driving in Dubai:

• To rent a car in Dubai, you must be at least 21 years old. UAE citizens can drive from the age of 18.
• A national driving licence is sufficient for tourists to drive, so you will only need your national driving licence to drive a car in Dubai.
• Road signs are in two languages: English and Arabic. Blue signs mean you must do something, red signs mean you must not do something, and triangular signs are warnings.
• In Dubai, traffic drives on the right.
• In Dubai, it is mandatory to wear a seatbelt.
• In Dubai, it is strictly forbidden to use a mobile phone while driving.
• In Dubai, it is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol in the car or to drive under the influence of alcohol.
• In Dubai, a safe distance from the car in front is 3 seconds.
• Be especially careful outside the city, as you may encounter wild animals such as camels on the road. In the event of a collision, the driver is liable for any damage caused by a collision with camels.
• It is mandatory for passengers under the age of 4 to use a child seat.

What are the speed limits in Dubai?

Road traffic in Dubai – advice for tourists on road speeds is one of the most important topics. The driving culture in the United Arab Emirates is not famous for driving fast. Drivers may be careless, but they rarely exceed the speed limit. This is due to the large number of speed cameras on the roads, which meticulously monitor whether drivers comply with the speed limits. Let's get to know the speed limits on Dubai's roads:

• Residential areas: 25 km/h to 40 km/h.
• City roads: Speed limits range from 40 km/h to 80 km/h depending on whether the road is single or dual carriageway. Single carriageways are 40-60 km/h, common in city centres, and dual carriageways are 60-80 km/h, common on faster roads in the city.
• Roads outside of cities: Speed limits are usually between 80 km/h and 160 km/h, depending on road conditions. Higher limits are common in less populated areas.
• Highways: Major highways such as Sheikh Zayed Road have speed limits of 100 km/h to 120 km/h.

In Dubai, there is an official tolerance of up to 20 km/h. This means that if you are driving on a highway with a speed limit of 120 km/h, you can drive a maximum of 140 km/h without consequences. If you exceed the speed limit by at least 20 km/h, you will break the law and may be caught by a speed camera or the police. The same system applies in the other five emirates of the UAE, with the exception of Abu Dhabi. In Abu Dhabi, there is zero tolerance for speeding and you must adhere strictly to the speed limits indicated on the signs.

Fines for speeding in Dubai

How high are the fines for speeding in Dubai? In Dubai, speeding can result in fines that increase in price depending on the degree of exceeding the limit. A 20 km/h speeding offence carries a fine of 300 AED (76Є). For speeding 40 km/h, the fine increases to 700 AED (177Є). Serious speeding offences, such as exceeding the speed limit by more than 60 km/h, result in a fine of 2000 AED (505Є) and 12 penalty points (known as black points in Dubai). The most severe penalty is for speeding over 80 km/h, with a fine of 3,000 AED (757Є), 23 penalty points and confiscation of the vehicle for 60 days. There are also penalties for driving too slowly in Dubai. The penalties for driving below the minimum speed are as follows: Driving too slowly, below the minimum speed of 60 km/h on highways, incurs a fine of 400 AED (101Є). This rule is intended to ensure a smooth flow of traffic and prevent accidents that can occur when vehicles move significantly slower than the posted limit.

Parking in Dubai – regulations

The parking system in Dubai is advanced and quite efficient. The Dubai Road Authority (RTA) has to take good care of it because the number of cars driving and parking in Dubai every day is huge. The city is divided into parking zones A to I and there are several different ways to pay for parking. What are the parking rules in Dubai? Learn about the rules, parking tariffs and our tips for parking in Dubai:

• In Dubai, there are different parking zones, from zone A to zone K. The zones differ in terms of the price per hour of parking and the usability and permits.
• Parking in Dubai is charged for 14 hours from Monday to Saturday between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Parking is free on Sundays and public holidays.
• Parking taxes in Dubai vary depending on the zone. The cheapest parking is outside the city centre, where an hour usually costs 2 AED (0.5Є), and car parks closer to the centre cost from 4 to 6 AED per hour (1-1.5Є).
• You can pay for parking in Dubai by text message, the RTA Dubai app, NOL card, WhatsApp or at a parking machine.
• What are the fines? The fine for not having a parking ticket is 150 AED (38Є), the fine for exceeding the parking time is 100 AED (25Є), and the fine for leaving your vehicle in the wrong place (e.g. on the entire pavement) is 200 AED (50.5Є).

Pedestrian traffic in Dubai – rules

We are discussing all road traffic in Dubai – what is worth knowing and the rules of road traffic for walkers? What are the rules for walkers in Dubai? The most important thing is that pedestrians have priority in safety lanes. However, this rule is often not respected by drivers in Dubai. It is worth knowing that pedestrians in Dubai often cross the road at red lights and also at unauthorised places, so drivers must be constantly alert to pedestrian traffic. Drivers must be particularly careful of speed limits near pedestrian crossings. Pedestrians are required to walk on pavements (where possible) and also use footbridges or underpasses where these are available for general use.

Drink-driving laws in Dubai

Can you drink alcohol and drive in Dubai? Absolutely not! The alcohol policy in Dubai categorically forbids driving under the influence of alcohol and consuming alcoholic beverages in the car. Drivers caught under the influence of alcohol (or drugs) have their driving licence suspended for one year and face imprisonment or a fine.

What should you do if you are fined for breaking the law in Dubai?

What are the driving rules in Dubai for tourists? You already know this, but sometimes in life you break the rules, even if you don't mean to. What should you do if you are stopped by the traffic police in Dubai? First of all: stay calm, follow the police instructions and cooperate. The Dubai police do not like to discuss things, especially if you have been caught red-handed. If you think the police are wrong, accept the fine and apply for a possible cancellation after the inspection at the relevant offices.

Rent a car on holiday in Dubai

Renting a car on holiday in Dubai is a great way to explore the city and other interesting places in the United Arab Emirates. You can combine two things: rent a private apartment and buy attractions in Dubai from Two Continents, as well as rent a car from Modena Car Rental, where with the code ‘Two Continents’ you will receive a 5-10% discount depending on the car. You can choose between a budget sedan and a modern sports car. What are the regulations for car rental in Dubai?

Car rental in Dubai – rules

Car rental in Dubai is subject to certain rules. Learn about car rental in Dubai and the related regulations:

• What documents do I need to drive in Dubai? As a tourist, your national driver's licence is sufficient (or a driver's licence from the country where your licence was issued).
• The car owner must be at least 21 years old.
• A deposit is usually required to rent a car, and the owner must have a credit card in most cases.
• The owner must follow all traffic rules.

Rules for using taxis in Dubai

What are the rules for using taxis in Dubai? The rules for using taxis in Dubai are the same as anywhere in the world: you order, get in, and pay! You can find a guide to taxis in Dubai and their prices here: Taxis in Dubai - how much do they cost and how do you order one? It is worth remembering that taxi drivers can drive quite recklessly, so it is worth watching out for them on the road.

You now know the most important things about road traffic in Dubai. We encourage you to explore the city and take an interest in real estate investments in Dubai, which is a rapidly growing short-term rental market for tourists.

Questions and answers (FAQ)

• What are the traffic rules in Dubai?

In Dubai, the traffic rules are similar to those in many other countries. Traffic drives on the right, drivers don't drive fast, there are many speed cameras and it is quite common to overtake on any lane.

• What are the speed limits in Dubai?

The following speed limits apply on roads in Dubai: Residential areas: 25 km/h to 40 km/h, City roads: Speed limits vary between 40 km/h and 80 km/h depending on whether the road is single or dual carriageway, Roads outside of town: 80 km/h to 160 km/h, depending on road conditions, Highways: 100 km/h to 120 km/h.

• What happens if you break the traffic laws in Dubai?

If you happen to be inattentive or reckless and break the rules in Dubai, you will most likely have to pay a fine when you are caught by the police or pay it later if you are caught by a speed camera. If you are stopped by the police, you should behave calmly and not argue with them.