Driving Rules in Dubai for Tourists: What You Need to Know

Dubai is a city where every nook and corner exudes meticulous planning, reflecting a marvel of modern architecture. From the large futuristic flyovers to clean highways and well-lit streets with clear signages. Besides, attractions like the Burj Khalifa and tall skyscrapers are visible while driving, which is a further ado.

Just imagine driving in your dream sports car and watching Dubai’s skyline from the Sheikh Zayed Road at a speed of 80-100km/? It sounds heavenly, yet this city has much to explore while driving. Hence, car rentals are a non-resident’s most convenient, affordable, and flexible option. 

So, while you are eager to drive your dream car, as the fuel prices are relatively lower than in most other regions, the RTA also has some strict laws. The authorities won’t exempt you even if you are an outsider; hence, tourists need to follow the Dubai driving rules, which will help you avoid trouble. 

7 Types of Dubai Driving Rules For Tourists To Follow For Avoiding Fines

There are various driving norms and rules for tourists that lead to black points on your license, can levy fines on you, or even criminal cases. Therefore, following the code of conduct mentioned above is essential!

1. Required Documents and Eligibility

As a tourist, you would opt for a car rental as that’s the most flexible way of exploring the city of Dubai at convenience. 

Yet, driving in Dubai as a tourist and with a rental car requires some prerequisites, as given below:

• Driving License: People from countries like the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe can use their driver’s license. Yet, people from other regions require an International Driving Permit (IDP).

• Minimum Age: The legal age for driving a car in Dubai is 18 years. However, you should be at least 21 years old for car rentals. Besides, some car rental providers, especially luxury ones, have a minimum eligible age of 25 years. 

• Additional Documents: Carry your passport and tourist visa as proof of identification while driving. Your rental car should have insurance coverage and carry it along. Besides, carry car rental agreements to avoid unnecessary legal issues. 

Remember that people with a Work Permit, Study or Spouse Visa, etc, cannot drive with IDP but will need a UAE license. Those worried about minimum age requirements can opt for drivers and chauffeurs. 

2. General Driving Rules

Before you get behind the wheel, do ensure specific driving rules, a few of which are uncommon in other countries, as given below:

• All the passengers of the car should wear seatbelts throughout the journey.
• The person driving should not use a mobile phone unless it’s a hands-free system.
• Drinking and driving is prohibited. Hence, under a test, the amount of alcoholic content should be 0.
• Dubai’s cars have steering wheels on the left; hence, it follows a right-hand drive system. So, drive to the right of the road.
• Children aged below 12 years can sit on the front seat only if it’s an approved rear-facing car seat with disabled airbags. Otherwise, it’s not allowed. 
• For security reasons or to minimize heat with an aesthetic look, you would opt for car windows with dark tint. However, those have tourist restrictions, so discuss them with your car rental agency before customization.

Besides, you can ask your car rental provider for a rear-facing child car seat for customization.

3. Speed Limits and Road Safety 

Dubai strictly follows speed limit parameters, so you must be careful while driving. 

Therefore, follow the speed limits given below:

• Residential Areas: 25-40km/h 0

• Urban and School Regions: 30-40km/h

• Highways: 100-120km/h

These are the general speed limits, but in specific areas, these can vary. Therefore, frequently check for speed limit signs. 

Besides, the roads of Dubai are mostly multi-lane and have proper infrastructure. Hence, many tourists find it challenging to drive here. 

To cope while driving consistently on these smooth roads, opting for cars with Adaptive Cruise Control helps. Mid-range and luxury cars like Mercedes C200 and Audi A8 have this feature, which automatically adjusts their speed as per the surrounding vehicles. Such deceleration and acceleration helps you drive well, avoiding collisions and distractions.  

Moreover, please don’t rely solely on speedometers as they show lesser speed than the actual ones, so the chances of landing in fines can be high. Hence, the ACC helps. 

4. Lane and Overtaking Rules

With most of the multi-lane roads in Dubai, the rules are stricter to avoid rash and harsh driving, thus avoiding accidents.

• Don’t Engage in Tailgating: Following any vehicle too closely here is the act of tailgating, a criminal offense in the city.

• Never Switch Lanes Between Solid Lines: You cannot change the lanes between solid lines on the road. It is only allowed if there are incomplete lines. 

• Never Change Lanes Quickly: You cannot change multiple lanes simultaneously; you should wait a minute before switching to another. 

• Overtake From The Left: Dubai’s roads follow driving on the right of the road. Hence, you can overtake only from the left with proper signaling and after checking traffic from all sides.

• Defensive Driving: While changing lanes, always slow down and give way to the drivers on the left for safety instead of overtaking and switching.

Rental cars like Rolls Royce Ghost Black Badge and Bentley Bentayga S have a Lane Keeping Assist feature, which helps you maintain it. The feature works with cameras that monitor lane markings and the road ahead. 

Further, it warns you when switching lanes, and if you don’t respond, it smoothly steers you back to the place to maintain it. 

5. Turning, Roundabout, and Right of Way Rules

Dubai always expects you to follow a defensive driving approach. Accordingly, the rules for roundabouts and turning have limitations. 

• Roundabout Rules: When you enter the roundabout, always give way to vehicles circulating at the intersection. Always ensure that the traffic flow is safe to enter and thus give the right of way. 

• Never Turn At Red Lights: You can never turn at a red light except when there’s a yield sign.

• U-turn Only In Dedicated Lane: To make a U-turn, use only dedicated lanes, not a non-U-turn lane. Similarly, there are dedicated lanes for every turn.

• Giving Way To Pedestrian Crossings: Always be mindful of pedestrians crossing on the road. Please slow down and give way for them to cross. Sports cars like the McLaren 750S Spider have an automatic emergency brake system that detects pedestrians and automatically stops them to avoid accidents. The feature even works for other vehicles. 

• Major Roads over Minor Roads: When approaching a T intersection or junction, vehicles over the major roads are prioritized over the minor ones. Yet, if you drive on a major one and a vehicle on the other doesn’t stop or slow down, give way to them to avoid collisions. 

No matter where you drive, always give way to ambulances, military convoys, school buses with flashing lights, and similar emergency vehicles. Also, giving way to faster-driving vehicles for your safety will be wiser. 

One of the major reasons for accidents while driving is the inability to detect cars in the blind spot. It is more prominent on highways where the probability seems less, but it is not. 

Therefore, SUVs with Rolls Royce Cullinan have Blind Spot Monitoring, which detects other vehicles around such areas of your car. Besides, this car has other valuable features, like Night Vision Assist and the ones mentioned above. 

6. Parking Regulations 

Dubai has different parking zones, and you can’t park vehicles in any random location. Therefore, park your car on the roads with yellow and black curb. 

Further, to park on the streets, you must pay through the parking meters or mobile apps designated for the purpose. Never park on reserved spots for disabled drivers unless you are not one of them. 

Cars with 360-degree surround-view cameras help you park easily without looking here and there, yet creating a mishap. Most of the mid to high range car rentals have the feature. 

Final Words 

Planning your routes via the Waze navigation system will be advantageous as a tourist. Even if you don’t see the speed limit boards, the system automatically warns you to change and modify speed.

 Additionally, most luxury cars have Traffic Sign Recognition and Heads-Up Displays with Safety Alerts features. These recognize the signboards in Dubai, which might be difficult for a foreigner to recognize otherwise. 

Also, the HUD helps you keep your eyes on the road without distraction and even displays safety alerts as necessary. Thus, you can follow all the Dubai driving rules for tourists, even in traffic. Choosing the right car rental will thus make a lot of difference in improving your journey.

Ensure that you always discuss the features you need before renting. Further, double-check whether you meet the eligibility criteria; a chauffeur would help if not.