Guide to Driving In UAE - Drive Safe in UAE

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in UAE and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

80 kph

urban
More info  

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

120 kph

rural
More info  

motorway speed limit

100-140 kph

speed limit
More info  

Drink Drive Limit

 0mg

drink and drive limit
More info  
urban
You drive in UAE on the Right side  
urban
The currency in UAE is AED
urban
To rent a car is  21 years and to drive is 18 years of age
urban
Current fuel price in UAE 0.42 €/Ltr

Driving Laws in UAE

Driving in UAE
Pocket guide to driving in UAE
Profile:
UAE
Abu Dhabi
AED
Driving in UAE
SPEED: (kph)
80
120
100-140
Speed limit in UAE
Holiday:
Rush hour in UAE
Cameras:
YES
YES
Speed cameras in UAE
FUEL:
0.42
0.48
EUR/Litre
Fuel prices in UAE
See Fuel Price in UAE for full statistics
MIN AGE:
18
21
Min driving age in UAE
DRINK:
0mg
Blood alcohol content
Drink driving in UAE
EMERGENCY:
999
Emergency phone number in UAE
DOCUMENT:
Driving documents in UAE
PHONES:
Yes
Hands free only
Mobile phone driving in UAE
SEATBELTS:
Yes
Yes
Seat belt in UAE
See here for current child seats law in UAE

Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in UAE?

Cars in the United Arab Emirates drive on the right hand side of the road with overtaking on the left. Remaining aware at all times is vital in the UAE as local drivers have a reputation for being fast and reckless and often you'll find yourself overtaken on both sides. Because of this the Emirates have some of the world's highest accident and driving death rates.

Avoiding the rush hours in the cities as much as possible is a good idea as this is when people are at their most volatile. If you plan to see the incredible deserts surrounding the the UAE 4x4 rental is recommended. Other safety precautions should be taken. Let people know where you are going before you leave, travel in a convoy of vehicles and always carry lots of food and water with you. Having a good map is very useful but constant road works mean they rarely stay up-to-date. You may wish to get a GPS to be on the safe side.

Rules of the road

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Emergency Services Numbers

Police Police: 112

Police Fire: 112

Police Ambulance: 112

Notes:

DieselUnleaded
Oct , 2020

€ 0.48

€ 0.42

Sep , 2020

€ 0.48

€ 0.42

Aug , 2020

€ 0.47

€ 0.41

Jul , 2020

€ 0.49

€ 0.43

Parking Information

Parking regulations

Parking regulations
 
In the cities, parking is hard to find and expensive. You have the choice of on street parking if you can find a space or parking in garages. In smaller towns or in the suburbs you'll find parking much easier and often free.
 
Paid parking
 
In town it's best to go for garage parking as street parking isn't easy to find when the cities are so busy. If you find a spot, you can pay at a machine or you can use your mobile and a service called mParking which also warns you when your ticket is about to expire
 
Enforcement
 
Traffic police will enforce bad or overdue parking with tickets and fines. Your car can be towed away if it is causing an obstruction.
 
Disabled parking
 
Special parking arrangements for disabled drivers in the UAE are virtually non-existent but if you ask for assistance at a garage, the attendant will often find you a more convenient spot. 

Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Police Police: 112

Police Fire: 112

Police Ambulance: 112

The police can be contacted on 999 or 112 and the medical services are on 998 or 999.

The British Embassies in the UAE are in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi
Khalid bin Al Waleed Street 22
PO Box 248
+971 2 610 1100

Dubai
Al Seef Road
PO Box 65
+971 4 309 4444
The British Embassy website is https://www.gov.uk/world/united-arab-emirates

The US Embassy is at
Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 4009
+971-2 414 2200
Their website is https://ae.usembassy.gov/

What to do in an emergency

Each Emirate has different rules for accidents. If you are driving in Dubai do not move the vehicle unless it is obstructing other motorists. In Abu Dhabi you can move the vehicle to one side so as not to block traffic, but only if vehicle damage is minor and no one has been hurt. Generally you should keep the car where it is but some of Emirates allow you to move it if it is a minor collision and both drivers can agree on who was responsible. In all cases the police must be called and you must not leave the scene until they have inspected it.

Whatever you do remain calm and courteous as displaying a temper can land you in big trouble. The police have the power to fine anyone that they think is being rude to them. Saying or making any obscene gestures to other drivers in the UAE can be a criminal offence and can result in jail then deportation.

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Handy Phrases

Hello/Welcome - Marhuba
Goodbye - Ma’assalaama
Thank you - Shukran
Yes - Na’am
No - La’
Sorry - Muta’assif
Do you speak English? -  Tatakullum ingleezi?
I don’t understand - Ana maa afham
How much is that? - Bekam?
Where’s the nearest doctor? - Wayn aghrab tabeeb

UAE Fuel Price History

DieselUnleaded
Oct , 2020

€ 0.48

€ 0.42

Sep , 2020

€ 0.48

€ 0.42

Aug , 2020

€ 0.47

€ 0.41

Jul , 2020

€ 0.49

€ 0.43

Jun , 2020

€ 0.50

€ 0.44

May , 2020

€ 0.51

€ 0.45

Apr , 2020

€ 0.52

€ 0.45

Mar , 2020

€ 0.55

€ 0.50

Feb , 2020

€ 0.60

€ 0.53

Jan , 2020

€ 0.59

€ 0.52

Dec , 2019

€ 0.58

€ 0.52

Nov , 2019

€ 0.59

€ 0.52

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Oct , 2020 0.48 0.42
Sep , 2020 0.48 0.42
Aug , 2020 0.47 0.41
Jul , 2020 0.49 0.43
Jun , 2020 0.50 0.44
May , 2020 0.51 0.45
Apr , 2020 0.52 0.45
Mar , 2020 0.55 0.50
Feb , 2020 0.60 0.53
Jan , 2020 0.59 0.52
Dec , 2019 0.58 0.52
Nov , 2019 0.59 0.52

Hiring a Car

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in UAE and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.
Chloe Demaret
Posted by Chloe Demaret
About the Author -

Travel writer, social media guru, Chloe keeps our readers and customers up to speed with all the car rental and travel trends on our blog. Favourite destination: Dubai.

Visitor Comments

  • 31/10/2018

    Mubiru Amir Swaba

    Idont know arabic but iwant to join driver in abu dhabi,what other language shld i communicate wiz customer.