Dubai is home to approximately 180 different nationalities, all of whom come with their own driving abilities and habits. Those arriving from Western countries may find the roads chaotic, while those from Asian nations or Arab states may find the driving organized. By familiarizing with the local driving regulations one can comfortably drive through Dubai.
Cars are left-hand drive, and traffic is supposed to stay on the right hand side of the road (as in Europe, US and Canada; opposite of Britain, Asia, Australia, South Africa and NZ). If you wish to hire a car in the UAE as a tourist you will be issued with a UAE temporary driving permit by car hire companies on presentation of valid national or international driving licences. When you get a residence permit, you must get a Dubai driving licence. You're no longer allowed to drive with a foreign license, IDP or temporary Dubai licence.
There is an extensive high quality road network throughout the Emirates and unleaded petrol is cheap. The rules relating to driving licences differ from emirate to emirate. However, once you have been issued with a temporary driving permit from one emirate you can drive throughout the UAE.
Traffic regulations are strict, with radar and cameras in use by the police. In any case, you need to drive carefully. The speed limit in urban areas is 60- 80 kph and 100-120 kph for cars on the open road. Hired cars are equipped with an insistent alarm that is set off when the speed limit is exceeded. It is illegal to leave the scene of an accident without police permission. Use of mobile phones while driving is prohibited. Under no circumstances can you drink and drive. Even a small amount of alcohol will put you over the legal limit. Seat belts are compulsory. Children under 12 are prohibited from traveling in front seats of vehicles.
On March 1, 2008 the new Unified Federal Traffic Law comes into effect putting in place hefty penalties for serious traffic offences.
Traffic violations, fines and black points
|
Description |
Fines |
Black Points |
Confiscation |
|
|
Driving dangerously (racing) |
2000 |
12 |
30 |
|
|
Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or similar substances |
Decided by court |
24 |
60 |
|
|
Driving a vehicle without number plates |
1000 |
24 |
60 |
|
|
Causing death of others Decided |
Decided by court |
12 |
30 |
|
|
Not stopping after causing an accident that resulted in injuries |
Decided by court |
24 |
60 |
|
|
Reckless driving |
2000 |
12 |
30 |
|
|
Exceeding maximum speed limit by more than 60km/h |
1000 |
12 |
30 |
|
|
Driving in a way that is |
1000 |
12 |
30 |
|
|
Jumping a red light 8 Both 15 |
800 |
8 |
15 |
|
|
Running away from a traffic policeman |
800 |
12 |
30 |
|
|
Dangerous overtaking by trucks |
800 |
24 |
60 |
|
|
Causing a car to overturn Decided |
Decided by court |
8 |
- |
|
|
Causing serious injuries Decided |
Decided by court |
8 |
- |
|
|
Exceeding maximum speed limit by not more than 60km/h |
900 |
6 |
- |
|
|
Exceeding maximum speed limit by not more than 50km/h |
800 |
- |
- |
|
|
Overtaking on the hard shoulder |
600 |
6 |
- |
|
|
Entering road dangerously |
600 |
6 |
- |
|
|
Causing moderate injury |
Decided by court |
6 |
- |
|
|
Heavy vehicle lane discipline |
600 |
6 |
- |
|
|
Overtaking from a prohibited place |
600 |
6 |
- |
|
|
Causing serious damage to a vehicle |
Decided by court |
6 |
- |
|
|
Exceeding maximum speed limit by not more than 40km/h |
700 |
- |
- |
|
|
Parking in fire hydrant places, spaces allocated for people with special needs and ambulance parking |
1000 |
4 |
- |
|
|
Exceeding maximum speed limit by not more than 30km/h |
600 |
- |
- |
|
|
Driving against traffic |
400 |
4 |
- |
|
|
Allowing children under 10 years old to sit in the front seat of a vehicle |
400 |
4 |
- |
|
|
Failure to fasten seat belt while driving |
400 |
4 |
- |
|
|
Failure to leave a safe distance |
400 |
4 |
- |
|
|
Failure to follow the directions of |
|
- |
- |
|
|
30 Exceeding maximum speed limit by not more than 20km/h |
500 |
- |
- |
|
|
Entering a road without ensuring that it is clear |
400 |
4 |
- |
|
|
Exceeding permitted level of car window tinting |
500 |
- |
30 |
|
|
Not giving way to emer gency, police and public service vehicles or official convoys |
500 |
4 |
- |
|
|
Driving a heavy vehicle that does not comply with safety and security conditions |
500 |
- |
30 |
|
|
Failure to stop after causing an accident |
500 |
- |
- |
|
|
Driving a noisy vehicle |
500 |
- |
30 |
|
|
Allowing others to drive a vehicle for which they are unlicensed |
500 |
- |
- |
|
|
Loading a heavy vehicle in a way that may pose danger to others or to the road |
500 |
6 |
7 |
|
|
Overload or protruding load from a heavy vehicle without permission |
500 |
6 |
7 |
|
|
Driving a vehicle that causes pollution |
500 |
- |
- |
|
|
Stopping on the road for no reason |
500 |
4 |
- |
|
|
Stopping on a yellow box |
500 |
- |
- |
|
|
Not giving pedestrians way on pedestrian crossings |
500 |
6 |
- |
|
|
Failure to abide by traffic signs and directions |
500 |
- |
- |
|
|
Throwing waste from vehicles onto roads |
500 |
4 |
- |
|
|
Refusing to give traffic police name and address when required |
500 |
- |
- |
|
|
Stopping vehicle on the left side of the road in prohibited places |
500 |
- |
- |
|
|
Stopping vehicle on pedestrian crossing |
500 |
- |
- |
|
|
Teaching driving in a training vehicle that does not bear a learning sign |
500 |
- |
- |
|
|
Teaching driving in a nontraining vehicle without permission from licensing authority |
500 |
- |
- |
|
|
Placing marks on the road that may damage the road or block traffic |
500 |
- |
- |
|
|
Operating industrial, construction and mechanical vehicles and tractors without permission from licensing authority |
500 |
- |
7 |
|
|
Modifying vehicle's engine without permission |
400 |
- |
- |
|
|
Modifying vehicle's chasses without permission |
400 |
- |
- |
|
|
Changing vehicle's colour without permission |
400 |
- |
- |
|
|
Exceeding maximum speed limit by not more than 10km/h |
400 |
- |
- |
|
|
Driving with a driving license issued by a foreign country except in permitted cases |
400 |
- |
- |
|
|
Violating the terms of the driving license |
300 |
- |
- |
|
|
Parking behind vehicles and blocking their movement |
300 |
- |
- |
|
|
Towing a vehicle or a boat with an unprepared vehicle |
300 |
- |
- |
|
|
Driving a vehicle that omits gases or fumes with substances exceeding permitted rates |
300 |
- |
- |
|
|
Leaving a vehicle on the road with its engine running |
300 |
- |
- |
|
|
No lights on the back or sides of trailer container |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Lights on the back or sides of container not working |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Taxis, which have designated pickup areas, stopping in undesignated places |
200 |
4 |
- |
|
|
Prohibited entry |
200 |
4 |
- |
|
|
Blocking traffic |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Vehicle unfit for driving |
200 |
- |
7 |
|
|
Driving a light vehicle that does not comply with safety and security conditions |
200 |
- |
7 |
|
|
Not lifting exhaust of trucks |
200 |
- |
7 |
|
|
Not covering loads of trucks |
3000 |
- |
7 |
|
|
Using vehicle for purposes other than designated |
200 |
4 |
7 |
|
|
Heavy vehicle prohibited entry |
200 |
4 |
7 |
|
|
Violating loading or unloading regulations in parking |
200 |
4 |
7 |
|
|
Carrying and transporting passengers illegally |
200 |
4 |
7 |
|
|
Writing phrases or placing stickers on vehicle without permission |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Not taking road safety measures during vehicle breakdowns |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Turning at undesignated points |
200 |
4 |
- |
|
|
Turning the wrong way |
200 |
4 |
- |
|
|
Loading a light vehicle in a way that may pose a danger to others or to the road |
200 |
3 |
7 |
|
|
Overload or protruding load on light vehicles without permission |
200 |
3 |
7 |
|
|
Stopping vehicle without keeping the distance specified by the law from a curve or junction |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Transporting passengers by vehicle undesignated for this purpose |
200 |
4 |
- |
|
|
Sudden swerve |
200 |
4 |
- |
|
|
Driving a taxi without required license |
200 |
4 |
- |
|
|
Carrying passengers in drivingtraining vehicle |
200 |
4 |
- |
|
|
Driving a taxi with an expired warranty |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Reversing dangerously |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Taxi refusing to carry passengers |
200 |
4 |
- |
|
|
Falling or leaking load |
3000 |
12 |
30 |
|
|
Not securing vehicle while parked |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Parking in prohibited places |
200 |
2 |
- |
|
|
Parking in loading and offloadingareas without need |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Parking on road shoulder except in cases of emergency |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Using multi-coloured lights |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Not wearing helmet while driving motorbike |
200 |
4 |
- |
|
|
Exceeding passenger limit |
200 |
3 |
- |
|
|
Driving with tires in poor condition |
200 |
- |
7 |
|
|
Driving with an expired driving license |
200 |
3 |
- |
|
|
Not renewing vehicle registration after expiry |
400 |
- |
- |
|
|
Driving unlicensed vehicle |
200 |
- |
7 |
|
|
Violation of laws of using commercial number plates |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Not fixing number plates in designated places |
200 |
2 |
- |
|
|
Driving with one number plate |
200 |
2 |
- |
|
|
Driving at night or in foggy weather without lights |
200 |
4 |
- |
|
|
Using unmatching number plates for trailer and container |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Not fixing reflective stickers at the back of trucks and heavy vehicles |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Not using indicators when changing direction or turning |
200 |
3 |
- |
|
|
Not giving way for vehicles to pass on the left |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Not giving way to vehicles coming from the left where required |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Stopping a vehicle in a way that may pose danger or block traffic |
200 |
3 |
- |
|
|
Failure to have vehicle examined after carrying out major modification to engine or body |
200 |
- |
7 |
|
|
Using training vehicles outside of timings specified by licensing authority |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Using training vehicles in places not designated by licensing |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Overtaking from the right |
200 |
4 |
- |
|
|
Overtaking in a wrong way |
200 |
3 |
- |
|
|
Driving an unlicensed vehicle |
200 |
- |
7 |
|
|
Abuse of parking space |
200 |
3 |
- |
|
|
Number plates with unclear numbers |
200 |
3 |
- |
|
|
Violating tariff |
200 |
6 |
- |
|
|
Light vehicle lane discipline |
200 |
2 |
- |
|
|
Parking vehicles on pavement |
200 |
3 |
- |
|
|
Not showing vehicle registration card when required |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Not showing driving license when required |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Not fixing taxi sign where required |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Not fixing a sign indicating licensed overload |
200 |
3 |
- |
|
|
Using interior lights for no reason while driving |
100 |
- |
- |
|
|
Failure to abide by specified colour for taxis or training cars |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Failure to display tariff of buses or taxis or not showing them when required |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Broken lights |
200 |
6 |
- |
|
|
Using horn in prohibited areas |
200 |
2 |
- |
|
|
Driving below minimum speed limit |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Failure to keep taxis and buses clean inside and outside |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Smoking inside taxis and buses |
200 |
- |
- |
|
|
Using hand-held mobile phone while driving |
200 |
4 |
- |
|
|
Not abiding by taxi drivers obligatory uniform or not keeping it in good condition |
100 |
- |
- |
|
|
Calling on passengers in the presence of signs |
100 |
- |
- |
|
|
Not displaying truck's load on both sides |
100 |
- |
- |
|
|
Not carrying driving license while driving |
100 |
- |
- |
|
|
Not carrying vehicle registration card while driving |
100 |
- |
- |
|
|
Driving without spectacles or contact lenses |
100 |
- |
- |
|
|
Not using interior light in buses at night |
100 |
- |
- |
|
|
Broken indicator lights |
100 |
2 |
- |
|
|
Using horn in a disturbing way |
100 |
2 |
- |
|
|
Having no red light at the back of vehicle |
100 |
- |
- |
|
|
Opening left door of taxi |
100 |
3 |
- |
|
|
Pedestrians crossing from undesignated places (If any existed) |
200 |
- |
- |
|
Do drive safely and adopt a really nice driving behavior and enjoy your stay in Dubai.
GOWEALTHY.COM © 2008
For comments: editor@gowealthy.com





