Although Dubai is considered the smallest of the seven emirates of the UAE, driving on its roads could be your most liberating driving experience ever.
But if you are considered somewhat new to this environment, then it might be a daunting adventure for you and you’ll need to learn some nuances to drive safely and protect the value of your car.
Here are some things that you need to know about driving in Dubai before you hit the road:
Road Features:
The good road conditions and quality of the infrastructure are some of the best features that set the UAE apart.
Here we’re talking about the world’s number one roads according to the Global Competitiveness Report, issued by the World Economic Forum for 2017-18.
Through awesome and everything, the many interchanges can be tricky sometimes.
So if you’re not very used to driving on these roads, then we recommend that you get a local SIM card to use navigators like Maps.Me, Sygic, and Smart Drive (which is an official RTA navigator).
These are all helpful tools that operate very well and the last one has a speed-limit detecting feature where it emits a sound signal when you exceed the limit.
If you’re from or have lived in a right-hand driving country, then you will not struggle to adjust in the UAE because they drive on the right side of the road and the steering wheel is on the left-hand side.
The priority for the roundabout at the intersections is given to who circulates and if another rule applies then you will be warned by a road sign.
The driving speed in the city is 60 km/h whereas in the countryside it is 100 km/h and you are not allowed to exceed the speed limit. In case you do so and get caught by surveillance cameras and radars, be ready to pay fines that start at 100 AED.
Renting a Car:
If you already don’t own a car, it is always a better idea to invest in a car in Dubai unless you are not staying there for long. In that case, renting a car is your best option because it’s cheaper than taxis, more convenient than public transport, and allows you to see the world with your own eyes.
The first thing you need to do is hop on your computer and browse the web for car rental agencies in Dubai. This will give you an idea about available models and price ranges.
Pick your favorite option and try to book it as soon as possible, even if you won’t need it right away because the earlier you book, the cheaper you’ll get the rental.
According to the Road and Transport Authority (RTA), in order for any tourist or visitor to drive a Dubai-registered vehicle, they need to have an international driving license. Though tourists who hold driver’s licenses from certain countries such as the United States are allowed to use them to drive in the UAE, certain car rental companies still require an International Driving Permit, nonetheless.
Check the requirements before you arrive at the meeting place to pay and pick up your rental.
Parking Ticket Payment and Fines
In Dubai, you must stick to the rules, all of them. There are clear parking rules, that if you violate, your car can get towed.
If that happens to you, you should call 999 to find out its location and you may only recover your car after paying a fine between 50-70 AED.
You should know that all parking lots in Dubai are paid (2 dirhams per hour). Though payment from 13;00 until 16;00 is not required.
What you do is that you get a payment ticket after entering the lot, and you pay for the time spent in the parking area on your way out.
If you violate traffic rules, then police enforcers will fine you and tell you that you cannot pay on-site and that you must go to the Department of Traffic Police. Once you arrive at the department, you show the payment voucher that the policeman gave to you.
Do not even think about slipping a bribe for Dubai policemen; you’re not only going to get fined, but you’re also going to get arrested as well.
Sticking to these rules is very important for your safety and the safety of your vehicle as well. Because when you want to sell any car in Dubai, you need to have it in good shape to earn a good market price.
