Renting a car in the United Arab Emirates is convenient and straightforward thanks to new features like the ability to book a car rental straight from your smartphone. Renting a car is easy but there are more things to consider when driving from the UAE aside from the rental rates. Here at eZhire, we value our clients and we want to make sure your vacation or business meeting goes without a hitch so we created a list of the UAE’s traffic rules and regulations.
Rules and Regulations of the UAE
There are plenty of guidelines and rules to follow when renting a car or driving in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Following these rules and guidelines is important to avoid costly fines, surcharges, and penalties from your car rental company and the government.
1. Driving License
It is mandatory to have your driving license whenever you drive or operate a vehicle in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Residents are required to have a valid UAE driving license and tourists are required to have a valid international driving license together with a valid visa.
2. Minimum Age Limit Requirements
It is law in the United Arab Emirates that only drivers must be at least 18 years old to drive and some car rental companies only allow customers to rent a car when they are at least 21 years old.
3. Fuel Policy
The Fuel Policy varies per car rental company and most policies state that the car rental must be returned with the fuel tank refilled to the same level as when it was driven out. Failure to return the vehicle to the same level could mean a fine and an additional surcharge for refilling the fuel tank.
4. Toll Charges (Salik)
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Tolls or locally known as Salik are all digital which means that there is a unique ID that is tagged in your car rental. The average toll fee per crossing is at least AED 4 or US $ 1.09. The toll charges will automatically be charged to the car rental company and will reflect your total bill when you return your car rental.
5. Usage Limits
Almost all car rental companies impose daily, weekly, and monthly mileage limits to avoid excess usage that can potentially damage the car. The daily limit is 300 kilometers, the weekly limit is 1750 kilometers and the monthly limit is 4000 kilometers.
Road Rules and Regulations
1. Driving in the Right Direction
The United Arab Emirates follows the driving convention of the United States of America (USA). This means that traffic is driving on the right side of the road and passing on the left side.
2. Keep Children Fastened
Children by law should be placed in approved car seats in vehicles. Kids aged 4 to 8 years old should be seated in special boosters in the back seats of the vehicle. Children under 13 years old are not allowed to sit in the front passenger seats.
3. Always Fasten Your Seat Belts
UAE driving laws require all passengers, including the driver to wear seatbelts at all times. Failure to wear seat belts can result in fines and penalties.
4. Do Not Use Cell Phones While Driving
Using cell phones while driving is extremely prohibited.
5. Stay Within the Speed limit
The speed limits on highways and roads in the United Arab Emirates are strictly enforced. We recommend that you stay within the speed limit to avoid fines and penalties. The average speed limit for motorways is 100 to 120 km/h and a minimum speed of 60 km/ph/ For Urban areas the maximum speed limit of 60 km/h and for 40 km/h for residential areas.
6. Never Drink and Drive
Drinking and driving in the United Arab Emirates is strictly prohibited and carries one of the harshest fines which could cost at least $5000 and can result in jail time and deportation. Most of the rules and regulation of the roads in the United Arab Emirates is similar to most countries in the world like the United States.
To avoid fines and penalties all you need to do is drive safely and follow the rules and regulations of the road.
