The Tourist's Guide to Driving in the UAE (2026)

The UAE uses right-hand traffic — drive on the right, overtake on the left. **Speed limits:** 60–80 km/h in cities, 100–120 km/h on highways, up to 140 km/h on some stretches of the Abu Dhabi–Dubai highway. **Speed cameras are everywhere.** Fines start at AED 300 for minor speeding and climb to AED 3,000 for exceeding the limit by more than 80 km/h. **Seatbelts are mandatory** for all passengers. Using a phone while driving (without hands-free) carries an AED 800 fine.

Dubai has an automatic toll system called Salik. Each gate costs AED 4 — it's deducted automatically when you drive through. There are 8+ Salik gates, mostly on Sheikh Zayed Road and other major highways. All rental cars have Salik tags pre-installed, so you don't need to buy one. The charges are tracked and added to your final rental bill. **To minimize tolls:** Use parallel roads where possible. Waze and Google Maps can route around toll gates. **Good to know:** Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other emirates currently have no toll systems.

Dubai parking zones are color-coded: **Standard paid zones** — AED 2–4/hour. Pay via RTA app or parking meters. **Premium zones** (JBR, DIFC) — AED 6–10/hour. **Free zones** — Residential areas with white-bordered spaces. **Malls** — 2–4 hours free parking. Most hotels provide complimentary parking for guests. **Never** park in spaces reserved for People of Determination — fines are AED 1,000. **Abu Dhabi** uses Mawaqif parking (AED 2–3/hour). **Sharjah** parking is mostly free except in commercial zones.

**Left lane = overtaking only.** Don't cruise in it. Flash signals from behind mean "move over." **Give way on roundabouts.** Cars already on the roundabout have priority. **Zero tolerance for drunk driving.** Any amount of alcohol while driving is illegal in the UAE. **Sandstorms happen.** If visibility drops, pull over safely and wait it out. **Fog is common in winter mornings.** Keep headlights on and reduce speed. **Flashing green = about to turn red.** Don't try to race through. **Emergency numbers:** 999 for police, 998 for ambulance. **In an accident:** Do NOT move the vehicles. Call police and wait. Minor accidents can be reported via the Dubai Police app.

Now that you know the rules, time to find your ride. RentCarz is a marketplace where you can browse car rental listings from vendors across the UAE — economy, sedan, SUV, luxury. Compare prices, then message the vendor directly on WhatsApp to sort out the details and pick up your car.