Driving Rules In the UAE: A Quick Guide for Beginners
The United Arab Emirates is known for its magnificent infrastructure. Strict laws and regulations are in place to ensure a smooth flow of traffic at all times. These driving rules ensure everyone’s safety despite the increasing number of vehicles on the roads. The rules are more or less the same across all Emirates, but there may be a slight difference in the penalties and fines associated with the violation of those laws.
This is a comprehensive guide to general driving rules in the UAE in which we discuss laws governing the issuance, validity of the driving licence, car registration to safety regulations and answer the frequently asked questions about driving rules and regulations in the UAE. Collectively, there may be hundreds of driving rules across the Emirates but we will focus on ones that are essential for every new driver to know.
Driving Rules In the UAE
Following are the driving rules that have to be obeyed in the UAE:
Driving License
The first rule to drive legally in the UAE is to obtain a driving license. Here’s how to get a driving licence in the UAE:
- For residents in the UAE, the minimum age to legally drive a car is 18. As for renting a car, you have be 21 years old.
- Tourists can drive a car with their national permit. If they hold a valid international driving license from a list of approved countries.
- As for the expats, they must obtain a temporary driving license of their emirate.
The cost and procedure of getting a driving license slightly vary in each emirate. However, if you do not have a driving license or one from the approved countries, you would have to take lessons and tests. Once you have your new driving license, you can drive throughout the UAE and other various GCC states.
Driving without a license in UAE would get you in prison for 3 months or a fine of AED 5,000. The driver’s license is valid for up to 2 years for all citizens
Car Registration
It is not allowed to drive any vehicle unless it is registered according to traffic laws. The traffic authority in each emirate is in charge of registering a vehicle in the UAE. You can get your car registered through service centres, smart applications, or websites of the traffic departments of the emirates.
Cost of Registration
The cost of registering a new car in Dubai is AED 420. Moreover, an additional AED 220 for opening a traffic file. If you are buying a second-hand car in Dubai, it will cost you AED 420, initially. However, you would have to go through the procedure for transfer of ownership, which will cost you AED 350 plus vehicle technical inspection, which will cost you AED 170.
If caught driving a vehicle with an expired registration in Dubai, AED 500 and 4 black points will be charged.
Seat Belts
Wearing a seatbelt is mandatory for all passengers, especially the one sitting on the rear seat when driving a car in UAE. You’ll be fined AED 400 and four black points if caught not wearing.
Child Safety
Children aged up to 4 years are supposed to be in the child safety seat. And children under aged 10 or less than 145cm tall, are not allowed to sit in the front seat.
People who wont follow the above-mentioned rules, will be fined AED 400 and four black points.
Salik Tag
All fleet must have their unique Salik tag. A Salik tag is an electronic chip that is installed on your car’s windshield. You can get them installed at any nearest Salik station. It is used to ensure free vehicle movement on tolling points at highways by providing accurate and reliable vehicle identification.
Salik Fines
You have to inform Salik authorities, in case you sell your vehicle or change your plate number, else you may be charged for violation.
You are supposed to recharge your Salik account in 5 days. Insufficient balance in your Salik account will lead to a violation. You will have to pay AED 50 for each day to pass through the Salik toll gate.
If you crossed the Salik toll gate without a Salik tag on your vehicle, a new tag will be issued to your existing Salik account. In case you do not pay the new tag fine within 10 days, you will be fined AED 100 on the next pass. You’ll be fined AED 200 for the second pass and AED 400 thereafter each time you pass.
Parking
Public parking areas are governed by local transport authorities in each emirate. Each emirate has different parking fees. Most parking fees are dependant on the type, location, and duration of parking. Parking is free on public holidays and Fridays. People with disabilities are entitled to park free of charge.
Parking Fines
- If a vehicle is parked in the ambulance parking: six black points and AED 1,000
- If a parked car is blocking the movement of other vehicles: AED 500
- For illegal parking: AED 500
- Parking in loading or offloading areas: AED 200
- Parking on prohibited areas: AED 1,000
- Unsecured parking: AED 500
- A vehicle parked on the pavement: AED 400
Driving Under the Influence
Drivers caught under the influence of drugs or alcohol will have their license suspended for one year, starting from the day of the verdict. The court will decide the fine and/or jail term.
Driving and drinking is totally prohibited in the UAE. If the driver is caught under the influence of alcohol or drugs or will have their license suspended for 60 days.
Reckless Driving
The amount of fine and black points varies state to state. There are certain amount of fine and blackpoint dedicated for:
- People doing reckless driving
- Drivers endangering the lives of others
- Jumping red signals, blocking traffic
- Driving without a number plate
- Sudden swerving
Abide All Traffic signals
There are traffic signs in both English and Arabic on the roads that inform drivers on road situations,speed limits, parking and trailblazing in Dubai. AED 500 for any motorists who ignore traffic lights. Their vehicles will also be seized for a month.
Avoid Distractions
Even the slightest mistake in the multi-lane driving conditions in Dubai can cause fatal road accidents. Distractions such as using phones, eating and drinking, or smoking will attract four black points and AED 400 fine in Dubai.
Blocking Emergency Vehicles
In case if one is unable to make way for emergency vehicles, an AED 3000 fine, six black points and a 30-day vehicle confiscation will be imposed. Also, doing so in rough weather conditions in flood-prone areas will cost an AED 1000 fine, four black points and the vehcile will be confiscated for 60 days.
Entrance and Crowding in Flood-Affected Areas
During severe weather conditions, motorists are instructed to not enter or gather in areas affected heavily by the downpour such as dams and valleys. Entering such areas will cost an AED 2,000 fine and 23 black points. Moreover, the vehicle will be confiscated for 60 days. Besides, in case of crowding, a fine of AED 1,000 and 23 black points will be imposed.
Speeding
Speed limits are allocated for different areas and road conditions.
- 100 km/h in rural areas
- 100–160 km/h on highways
- 40 km/h in residential areas
- 40–80 km/h in urban areas
- 25 km/h in parking areas and on service roads
23 black points and AED 3,000 will be fined for anyone exceeding these speed limits. Their car will also be impounded for 60 days.
Insurance
Car insurance is mandatory in the UAE. Car insurance provides safety against unavoidable circumstances such as accidents, theft, and other damages. You should have at least third-party coverage.
Common Driving Fines in the UAE
Offence | Fine | BlackPoint | Exception |
---|---|---|---|
Offence Not carrying driving license while driving | Fine AED 100 | BlackPoint – | Exception – |
Offence Not carrying vehicle registration card while driving | Fine AED 100 | BlackPoint – | Exception – |
Offence Failure to fasten seat belt while driving | Fine AED 400 | BlackPoint 4 | Exception – |
Offence Allowing children under 10 years old to sit in the front seat of a vehicle | Fine AED 400 | BlackPoint 4 | Exception There are no blackpoints for this offence in Dubai |
Offence Parking behind vehicles and blocking their movement | Fine AED 300 | BlackPoint – | Exception Dubai fine for this offence is AED 500 |
Offence Driving under the influence of alcohol | Fine Court decision | BlackPoint 24 | Exception Dubai has 23 blackpoints for this offence |
Offence Reckless driving | Fine AED 2000 | BlackPoint 12 | Exception Dubai has 23 blackpoints for this offence |
Offence Driving without insurance | Fine AED 500 | BlackPoint 4 | Exception – |
This concludes our guide on driving rules in the UAE. These are some of the common rules that you need to abide by when driving in the country. Here it is worth mentioning that there are laws pertaining to the condition of your car.
Driving a noisy car in the UAE or cars that are too old and inefficient may not even pass the vehicle test essential for registration renewal. You might even get a fine for driving an ugly, dirty and broken car. However, If you think you were mistakenly penalised for a traffic fine, go through this guide on how to dispute a traffic fine in UAE to lodge your complaint.
If you fear your car’s deteriorating condition might get you in trouble with the law, consider buying one of these used cars for sale in the UAE.
- Used Mercedes-Benz C Class for sale in the UAE.
- Second hand Ford Mustang for sale in the UAE.
- Used Land Rover Range Rover for sale in the UAE.
- Second hand Mercedes -Benz G Class for sale in the UAE.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information on driving rules, regulations and penalties in the UAE.