The roads in Dubai are among the best in the world: wide multi-lane motorways, perfect surfaces, clear markings and signage. At the same time, local driving has its own quirks worth preparing for in advance. This guide covers speed limits, the key rules and highway nuances for 2026. If you are only just planning to get behind the wheel, start with the general overview in the article on renting a car and driving in Dubai.
General: traffic and roads
Traffic in the UAE is right-hand, exactly as in Russia: the wheel is on the left, overtaking is in the left lane, a right turn is short, a left one is across the junction. A Russian barely needs to readjust — the basic logic is the same.
The roads are excellent: motorways have 4–6 lanes in each direction, are lit, and are fitted with electronic boards and quality markings. Signs are duplicated in English, and a navigator (Google Maps, Waze) works flawlessly. The main difference from Russia is not the rules but the driving style and the abundance of interchanges, more on which below.
Speed limits
Speed limits in Dubai are strictly tied to the road type and shown on signs. Use the table as a guide, but always watch the actual signs — they may differ on a specific stretch.
| Road type | Speed limit |
|---|---|
| City streets | 60–80 km/h |
| Motorways (Sheikh Zayed Road and others) | 100–120 km/h |
| Certain out-of-town highways | up to 140 km/h |
Speed cameras are everywhere — on motorways, in the city, at interchanges. There is an unofficial tolerance of about +20 km/h above the limit, beyond which the camera records a violation. But you shouldn’t rely on it: the limit can be lowered without obvious warning, and fines here are high. More on the amounts in the traffic fines guide.
Drink-driving — a strict zero
This is the single most important rule for a tourist. The permitted blood alcohol level for driving in the UAE is 0.0. No “a glass of wine is fine” — nothing is allowed.
A violation is punished not with a fine but with criminal liability: arrest, imprisonment, a large fine and deportation from the country are all possible. In an accident while intoxicated the insurance does not apply, and the consequences can be catastrophic. The rule is simple: if you have had even a little to drink, don’t get behind the wheel — take a taxi.
Seatbelts, children and phones
- Seatbelts are mandatory for everyone — the driver and all passengers, including the back seats.
- Child seats are mandatory for small children; a child may not be carried in the front seat without an appropriate restraint device.
- Holding a phone while driving is prohibited. You may only talk via hands-free (Bluetooth, speakerphone). Holding a smartphone, typing messages or looking at the screen is a fineable offence that is often caught by cameras and patrols.
Driving quirks
The main culture shock for a newcomer is not the rules but the driving style:
- Aggressive behaviour in the left lane. The left lane on a motorway is strictly for overtaking. Drivers there go fast and impatiently; if you occupy it and drive at the flow’s pace, they will tailgate you and flash their headlights.
- Keep right. A calm driver is more comfortable in the middle and right lanes. Clear the left one as soon as you’ve overtaken.
- Sudden lane changes. Local drivers often change lanes abruptly and without indicating. Keep your distance and watch your mirrors.
- Tailgating. The habit of driving almost bumper-to-bumper with the car ahead is common here. Don’t take it personally — just let the fast ones through and keep your own distance in front.
Parking and Salik toll roads
Parking in the city is mostly paid: payment via pay machines or apps, with tariffs depending on the zone. On the motorways the electronic Salik toll gate system operates — there are no barriers, the charge is deducted automatically as you drive under the gate. For a rental car Salik is usually linked to the contract, and the amounts are billed by the rental company. Details are in the separate guide on Salik toll roads.
Roundabouts and interchanges
Dubai has many roundabouts and complex multi-level interchanges. The basic rules:
- On a roundabout priority goes to those already on the ring (to your left).
- Get into the right lane in advance: for a right-hand exit keep right, for distant exits keep left, according to the markings and arrows.
- On large interchanges the lanes diverge hundreds of metres before the exit — follow the navigator and signs so you don’t miss the turn you need. If you miss it, don’t brake sharply or reverse, just turn around at the next interchange.
What to do in an accident
- In a serious crash (with injuries or major damage) don’t move the car from the spot until the police arrive — this matters for the paperwork.
- Call the police on 999 (the single emergency number). The officer will file a report, without which insurance and repairs cannot be processed.
- For a minor accident with no injuries Dubai often uses a simplified procedure — follow the police’s instructions.
- For a rental car be sure to notify the rental company immediately and obtain the police report — without it the rental insurance generally won’t work.
Tips for the first-time driver
- Turn on the navigator in advance and listen to its prompts — the interchanges are complex, so it’s better to get into the right lane early.
- No sharp manoeuvres. Smoothness and predictability are safer than trying to drive “like the locals”.
- Keep right, clear the left lane after overtaking.
- Fill up in advance before a long highway to another emirate — petrol stations are rarer on the highway than in the city.
- Sort out your licence in advance: what a Russian needs to drive legally is in the guide on a driving licence in the UAE.
Bottom line: driving in Dubai is comfortable and familiar in terms of rules, but it requires attention to the local drivers’ style and iron discipline on speed and alcohol. Observe the limits, keep right, don’t drive after drinking — and a road trip will become one of the most convenient ways to see the UAE.
