Getting Ready to Drive in the UAE Step by Step

Driving is a personal joy for everyone and they relish the experience of being on the road with miles to go, even if one doesn’t have a destination in mind. Most of the people consider driving as more of a means to an end. It’s basically about getting from point A to point B or C, D & E depending on how many stops you have in mind. We are sure with the advent of cab aggregators, the experience of driving is a dwindling one. All this aside, let’s talk about what does it mean to drive safe and what rules should you be considering when driving in the UAE.

Unlike several other countries, UAE has its own unique nuances regarding road traffic. While rules and regulations are quite stringent, there is a local style to driving which can only be considered frivolous. Depending on which country you have driven in before, traffic in UAE will either be a complete shock or a mild annoyance. In either situation you will need to get familiar with the nuances to avoid falling prey to unexpected situations.

We strongly recommend having car insurance in Dubai and other cities within UAE. This will help you avoid unnecessary hassles and keep you safeguarded against exorbitant repairs or payments when having to fix your automobile. Now, insurance aside following the rules and regulations of UAE as well as being well versed with the nuances of UAE traffic will keep you in the green zone.

STEP 1:

For starters, driving in the UAE can be quite versatile. You will be presented with intercity roads and highways as well as desert tracks and long intracity connector roads that are full of surprises to the uninitiated. So you need to be familiar with these aspects and plan accordingly for your travel. We’ll discuss some of the necessities to keep in mind on specific routes at a later part in the article but always make sure your car is in good condition and serviced regularly.

STEP 2:

Intercity roads and navigation. Most cars come with in-built navigations systems and external guidance systems aren’t too expensive either. These provide you with details instructions about your whereabouts and route to your destination. Some good navigation systems also track traffic and help you avoid the same with alternative routes to your destination. Travelling intercity is fairly simple as most locations are detectable in navigation systems and all you need to do is follow the map or guidance voice.

STEP 3:

Fast cars and speedsters. Wherever you hail from, you are likely to have experienced a few super swanky luxury cars, especially those that clock 1-60 miles in under sixty seconds, now compound that number with at least a hundred. UAE is one of the richest countries in the world and also home to some of the highest net worth individuals. Well that goes to say you are likely to find a lot of supercars on the streets and what good is a supercar if it doesn’t let you travel at breakneck speeds? So you need to be mindful of such drivers on the road as they can take you by surprise and leave you veering off the road.

STEP 4:

Traffic cams and lane changers. All major intersections and roads are equipped with traffic cams that photograph or video record traffic rule violators. Be wary of these camera and as long as you are not breaking any rules then you have nothing to worry about. In fact these cameras would also help you solve disputes in road violations as they would have captured the event as it happened and are admissible in court as proof or evidence. Lane changing is only permissible under the ideal conditions i.e. you have showcased your indicator, are under the speed limit and there is no other car on the other lane within the range of your rear view mirror. That said you’ll often find drivers in UAE switching lanes without the prerequisites which is a traffic violation but more so a hazard on the road. Be wary around highway exits and flyover exits where such practices are common.

STEP 5:

Behavior and penalties. Road traffic rules in the UAE are stringent with respect to driver behavior as well. Therefore if you are caught using abusive language or indulging in road rage, you are likely to face a hefty fine and might even lose your credentials to drive in the country for a period of time. Furthermore, there are penalty amounts for all types of violations on the road. Therefore it is a smart practice to keep within the speed limits and abide by the road safety rules specified.

STEP 6:

Long durations and substance abuse. When you are venturing out of the city especially on desert laden routes, a few things you should keep in mind is to carry plenty of water and ensure your automobile is appropriately fueled and serviced. Due to weather conditions, automobiles often face technical problems on such long stretches. You are unlikely to find a service stations on certain patches and will have to telephone the road assistance for rescue. Another thing to consider when you are on long highway stretches is to watch your speed limit. This is not to keep in line with road rules but instead to ensure your safety. Due to hot weather conditions, if your tyres are threaded and maintaining the same temperature, they are likely to burst causing oversteering or skidding of your automobile. Since most people drive at very high speeds on the highway, we recommend caution and alertness.

One of the crazy things you will find on roads in UAE is camels, who sometime cross over from the deserts and are mostly sighted on intercity highways. They may run onto the road without warning so be careful of these. Also, shifting sands might leave traces of sand on the roads which could result in your automobile skidding. Be cautious of these elements and make sure you have both hands on your steering to avoid losing control of your automobile. In the event of any such situations having car insurance in Dubai or any other city in UAE will come in very handy.