Driving in United Arab Emirates
Complete guide for tourists and expats. Learn the road rules, speed limits, and essential information before you drive in United Arab Emirates.
Can You Drive in United Arab Emirates?
Accepted Licenses From
Validity Period: IDP valid for the duration of your visit visa (typically 30–90 days); residents need a UAE license
Important Note
Visitors from many countries (US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, etc.) can drive with their home license and an IDP. Citizens of GCC countries can drive with their home license alone. Some nationalities may rent cars with only their home license. Residents must obtain a UAE driving license. Check the specific list of recognized countries.
What to Carry in Your Car
Mandatory Items
- Valid driving license (UAE license or home license with IDP)
- Vehicle registration card (mulkiya)
- Valid vehicle insurance
- Emirates ID (for residents)
Recommended Items
- Warning triangle
- Fire extinguisher
- First aid kit
- Extra water (essential in summer heat)
Speed Limits
Urban Areas
km/h
Rural Roads
km/h
Highways/Motorways
km/h
Toll Roads
Payment Methods
Average Cost
AED 4 per gate passage (Salik in Dubai); Abu Dhabi toll gates charge AED 4 per passage
Dubai uses the Salik electronic toll system with multiple gates across the city. Abu Dhabi introduced its own toll gate system in 2020. Rental cars in Dubai typically come with a Salik tag and charges are billed to your rental account. Daily maximum is AED 24 (Dubai) for 6 passages.
Parking
Line Colors
Parking Tips
- In Dubai, send an SMS to 7275 (mParking) with your zone code and plate number to pay for parking
- Parking is free on Sundays (Dubai) and Fridays (Abu Dhabi) in most metered zones — but check individual signs
- Shopping malls offer free parking for several hours but some premium malls in Dubai have started charging
Average Cost: AED 2–4/hour in metered zones (Dubai); AED 800–1,500/month for reserved parking in business districts
Common Mistakes Tourists Make
- 1Making rude gestures or using offensive language in traffic — this is a criminal offense in the UAE and can result in deportation
- 2Not maintaining a safe following distance — tailgating is both dangerous and illegal, with fines of AED 400
- 3Assuming the same speed limit applies everywhere — limits vary significantly between emirates and road types (40–140 km/h)
- 4Driving a dirty car — while not strictly a traffic fine, a very dirty vehicle can attract a fine under public decency laws
- 5Drinking and driving — absolute zero tolerance policy
Traffic Fines
Speeding
AED 600–3,000 depending on severity; exceeding by 60+ km/h results in AED 3,000, 23 black points, and 60 days vehicle impoundment
No Seatbelt
AED 400 and 4 black points
Phone Use
AED 800 and 4 black points
Red Light
AED 1,000 and 12 black points, plus 30 days vehicle impoundment
Illegal Parking
AED 150–1,000 depending on violation (disabled spot: AED 1,000)
Ready to Drive in United Arab Emirates?
Take a quick quiz to test your knowledge of the road rules.
Emergency Contacts
Police
999
Ambulance
998
Fire
997
Roadside Assistance
AAA UAE: 800-4900 (Abu Dhabi) / Emirates Motorsport Organization (EMSO) roadside assistance; Dubai: 800-4357 (HELP)
Partner link – opens GetYourGuide.com
Want to Master United Arab Emirates Driving Rules?
Practice with our driving test questions and learn all the rules before you drive.
