Roads and Traffic Rules in the UAE: What Renters Need to Know

Driving around a new and unfamiliar place always has its challenges. Driving in the UAE is no different. In addition to having to navigate difficult traffic and a particularly Middle Eastern-style of driving, there are specific rules that you need to know so that you don’t run into problems.

In this article, we will provide an overview of what some of the major rules are that you need to know when driving in the UAE.

Be prepared with the right vehicle

The first thing that you want to ensure is that you have the right car. If you don’t have the right transportation, you won’t be able to get around in general. Look for a rental agency that is reliable both in terms of its vehicles and other aspects of its functioning.

In particular, look for a place that has cars in good condition. You don’t want to rent a car and find that it doesn’t work properly, or that you end up getting blamed for someone else’s mistake. You should also ensure that your chosen agency has reliable customer service. If you do have a problem while you are on the road, you want to be sure that there are people you can call who will help you.

You should also consider what kind of car you want to rent. Depending on whether you are traveling alone or with family, you might want an SUV, or perhaps check out sport cars for rent in Dubai.

Rules of the road in the UAE

If you’re driving around the country, you should be aware of certain rules of the road. The legal driving age in the country is 18. Your rental agency won’t rent you a car unless you are 18 in any case, and you should only allow people who have signed a rental agreement to drive your car anyway.

First of all, you should know that traffic in the UAE is on the right side of the road. There is a speed limit, which varies depending on whether you are in the city or on the highway. In the city, it generally goes no higher than 60 km/hour. On highways it can go up to 120 km/hour. 

If you violate traffic rules in the country, you can face fairly serious fines. Fines for speeding and parking violations can be quite stiff. And if you are caught in a DUI, you could not only pay a fine but also potentially face jail time. 

There are also specific rules regarding children in cars. Children under the age of 13 are not allowed in the front seat, and children up to age 8 must sit in a child seat. In addition, all passengers are required to wear seat belts, and any phone usage must be conducted via Bluetooth. If police see you holding a phone up to your ear, it will be a cause for them to impose a violation on you.

Brush up before you leave

It is always a good idea to review the rules of any new place before you arrive. You will surely run into unexpected situations, and there will be risks and obstacles that you didn’t foresee. But this is just part of the overall experience of traveling anywhere. There will be unexpected twists and turns in hotels, restaurants, attractions, etc. But as long as you keep your wits about you and do your best to stay on top of things, you should end up with an amazing travel experience that you will remember forever.