Driving in Dubai

Car Hire

Do you need to rent a car when visiting Dubai? The answer is no. Taxis are widely available and not very expensive. Also there is a metro available, though not very intricate, the system does extend to reach the main areas and attractions in Dubai.  However should you wish to spend a day outside the city or visit any of the other Emirates, we recommend you hire a car for the day.

Driving in Dubai is relatively easy for new-comers and visitors, with an impressive network of roads and highways. Driving is on the right hand side and follows international driving standards.  There are plenty of road signs indicating places, cities, districts, exits, etc. Sometimes it is confusing which lane to take as there are so many lanes in one direction only. However, try driving always somewhere in the middle lane, thus you will be in a position to exit left or right whenever needed.

Driving License Requirements

 To rent a car you need to present a valid international driving license or national driving license from your country of residence, which must have been held for at least 12 months.The UAE has a minimum driving age of 21 years.

Most of the car rental companies facilitate airport pick up and drop off. Many also have desks at most large hotels where you may arrange for car rental.

Insurance

Generally, the insurance offered by car dealers and rental firms is pretty competitive. If you want to shop around, you can check some of the more popular insurance companies, operating in Dubai. Whatever you decide, ask whether the deal covers the entire region or just the UAE. Insurance restricted to the UAE will be cheaper. If you are under 25 or have only held a driving licence for a short time, you are likely to find your insurance premium will be higher. It is always advisable to get full coverage insurance.

SALIK

SALIK is Dubai's automated road toll system. With no booths, gates or barriers, it is designed to ease traffic and congestion on some of Dubai's main roads.

Every car must have a Salik tag .Using radio frequency, the system will automatically deduct the amount from your prepaid account each time you pass through. You can get a SALIK tag from selected petrol stations (look for 'Get your Salik tag here' signs near the station). A nominal charge of Dhs 4  or approximately US$ 1 is charged each time you pass through the toll gate, subject to a maximum daily charge of US$6.5.

If you go under a toll with no credit on your account and don't top-up within two days, you will be fined for each toll you went under. Don't worry, though, you will receive a helpful SMS when your account balance is low, and you can top-up at the Salik website or buy a top-up scratch card from any petrol garage. If you are renting a car, check your rental agreement on terms of payment for SALIK.

Parking

Many areas in the city center have introduced paid parking in a bid to reduce congestion. Prices are reasonable (Dhs1 or Dhs2 for a one-hour stay, depending on location), but this hasn't made it easier to secure a space. Paid parking areas are operational at peak times (generally from 8am to1pm and 4pm to 9pm), and it's free to park there outside of these hours and on Fridays or public holidays. In addition, many shopping malls offer free parking.

You'll be fined Dhs200 for illegal parking, Dhs150 for a ticket that isn't displayed properly and Dhs100 if you exceed your time limit. Generally your car hire company will pay any fines for you and charge them to you at the end of your lease.

Petrol Stations

Petrol in the UAE is cheap priced at Dhs1.72 per liter, or Dhs7.50 per gallon for for Special, or Octane 95 grade petrol. There are 24-hour petrol stations on all major highways. Most petrol stations also have convenience stores selling snacks and drinks.

Accidents

In the event of an accident, you must call Dubai Police to the scene. Insurance companies will not pay out without seeing an accident report. When the traffic cop arrives, he will judge who was to blame. Keep calm and state your case clearly and politely. A green form will absolve you of responsibility and should be taken to your insurance company. A pink form puts the blame on you; the other driver can then charge their repairs to your insurer.

The policy on moving cars after an accident remains a little unclear. In theory, after a minor prang in which no one was hurt, cars can be moved away from the traffic. But most drivers will not move their cars, for fear of weakening their imminent argument with the Dubai Police agent.