Driving in Dubai and the Emirates might sound like chaos, stress, and strict penalties. We wanted to know for ourselves, so we tried it. In this article, you’ll find out what to really expect when driving here. We’ll share what happened when we accidentally ran a red light. We’ll also explain how the toll system works, what to watch out for when parking, and why renting a car can be the best decision, despite all the warnings.
Table of Contents
Is Driving in Dubai Really Worth It?
Yes, but only if you know what to expect. Driving in Dubai is by no means impossible, but it can be stressful. If you want to stay flexible and see more than just one district, a rental car* is clearly the better choice. Especially if you’re planning to visit other Emirates like Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah or Al Ain, driving is often the only sensible option.
We deliberately chose not to rely on taxis, Uber or Careem, even though many friends had recommended exactly that. They kept saying that driving was too dangerous and that the penalty system was too strict. But we wanted to find out for ourselves what it’s really like. After all, we’ve already survived the chaos of Naples, and we’ve mastered left-hand driving in Cyprus and Scotland.
For us, a rental car is part of every road trip. It gives us the freedom to stop spontaneously, change routes, or discover places off the typical tourist path. We really appreciated that flexibility in Dubai too, despite a few challenges on the road.
How Stressful Is Driving in the Emirates Really?
Many say that driving in the Emirates is exhausting or even dangerous.
From our experience, we would say it’s challenging, but manageable. The roads are well developed, the signage is clear, and navigation apps work reliably.
In Dubai, major roads can have up to eight lanes. This makes orientation tricky at times. Overtaking happens on both the left and right, so you need to check your mirrors constantly. The driving style is aggressive. On the left lane, people tailgate, flash their headlights, and honk regularly. If you’re too slow, you’ll quickly feel the pressure behind you.
Changing lanes in the city often feels like a competitive sport. Courtesy and the zipper principle are almost nonexistent. That’s why you should prepare to get into the right lane for your exit early, at least one kilometer in advance. Otherwise, no one will let you in. Many vehicles have heavily tinted windows, which makes it even harder to read the behavior of other drivers.
Still, if you stay focused, plan ahead, and don’t let yourself get stressed, you’ll be fine. We were definitely sweating at times, but we never felt truly unsafe.
🌍 Planning your own road trip?
In our guide, we show you all the tools, apps, and services we personally use to plan our routes.
Driving in Dubai – Overview of Traffic Rules and Enforcement
Traffic rules in Dubai are clearly defined and strictly enforced. Speed limits range between 60 and 120 kilometers per hour, depending on the road. On some highways outside the cities, you are allowed to drive up to 160 kilometers per hour.
Speed cameras and surveillance systems are everywhere – along the roadsides, at traffic lights, and even on bridges. Violations are detected automatically. Enforcement is especially strict at intersections.
Note: Here’s something we only fully understood after the fact. In the Emirates, the light changes from green to amber and then almost immediately to red. There is barely a transition phase like in many other countries. So make sure to stop as soon as the light turns amber. Otherwise, the chances are high that you will enter the intersection on red. And running a red light is considered a serious offense in the United Arab Emirates.
Flashed by a speed camera in Dubai – what you should know about fines
The topic of fines had already made us nervous before the trip. Many friends had warned us that even minor mistakes can be very expensive. And indeed, on the third day of our trip, we were flashed at a traffic light in Abu Dhabi after crossing during a red signal. This resulted in twelve black points and a fine of over one thousand dirhams, which equals around 265 euros.
The process was fully automated. The fine was immediately reported to the car rental company. Just a few hours later, we received an email notification. The amount was charged directly from the deposit we had left with our credit card. Back in Berlin, when we were caught running a red light once, it took months for the fine to arrive. In Dubai, it takes only hours.
From that moment on, we were a lot more cautious. A second offense could have led to much more serious consequences. If you run another red light within a short time frame, you can face a driving ban and even higher penalties. In serious cases, the car may even be confiscated. Retrieving it is only possible by paying a substantial fee.
What we didn’t know: ten days later, we received a second fine for the same violation. It was an impound fee of over 3,300 dirhams, or about 790 euros. Apparently, this charge replaces the vehicle confiscation that would normally apply. Altogether, this single violation ended up costing us more than 1,055 euros.
You can find a complete list of traffic violations and fines in Dubai here: Dubai Police – Traffic Violations and Fines
Why walking in Dubai is not as easy as it sounds
Dubai is not a city where you can get around easily on foot. The distances are enormous, and many districts are almost entirely designed for cars. Pedestrians were not a high priority in urban planning.
Google Maps even suggests it takes more than five hours to walk from Downtown Dubai to JBR Beach. Honestly, that’s probably not even possible, since huge roads and missing pedestrian crossings are in the way. The layout of the city is very reminiscent of the United States. In Florida, we experienced something similar, even short distances are often only manageable by car due to the lack of sidewalks.
Our first hotel* was actually located directly across from Dubai Mall. Still, it took us almost thirty minutes to get there on foot. The walk included wide intersections, long red lights, and roads with up to eight lanes.
Sidewalks are not consistently available. They often end abruptly or lead nowhere. In some areas, there is no pedestrian infrastructure at all. So if you plan to get around Dubai on foot, be prepared for long detours, poor walkability, and plenty of patience. Or, better yet, take a car.
Time management when driving in Dubai – why you shouldn’t blindly trust your navigation app
Although Google Maps generally works well in Dubai, you shouldn’t rely entirely on the estimated travel times. In our experience, a ten-minute route can quickly turn into thirty minutes. The reason lies in long red lights, frequent traffic jams, and sometimes confusing road layouts.
It’s almost normal to hit traffic at least once on every drive. Traffic lights stay red for quite a while, and pedestrian crossings can block intersections for minutes. Unexpected road closures or construction sites are also not uncommon.
Our tip: Always plan extra time for each trip. That way, you stay relaxed even when it takes longer than expected.
Rental car costs in Dubai – our experience with prices and value
One of the biggest surprises on our trip was how affordable everything around driving turned out to be. Our rental car* cost only 23 euros per day. For that price, we got a compact vehicle with five seats, automatic transmission, and full coverage.
Fuel was also significantly cheaper than in Europe. A full tank rarely cost us more than twenty euros. This makes Dubai a destination where renting a car can also be a smart financial decision.
Parking, fueling and tolls in Dubai and the Emirates
Driving in the United Arab Emirates is not only possible, but surprisingly convenient, once you understand how parking, fueling, and the toll system work. Here we share our personal experience and practical tips for all three aspects.
Parking in Dubai – how it works and what to know
There are two main types of parking in Dubai: modern parking garages and public street parking. In parking garages, your license plate is automatically scanned at the entrance. You no longer need to take a ticket. The gate opens when you pay, either directly at the exit or at a nearby terminal.
For public parking spots, you enter your license plate into the machine. It is important to select the correct emirate, such as Dubai or Sharjah. You then pay digitally and receive a confirmation.
Fueling up in the Emirates is easy
Most gas stations offer full service. That means you stay in your car and simply tell the attendant how much you want to fill up. Payment is usually made by card or in cash directly at your window.
In more rural areas, you might have to look a bit longer for a station. But in and around Dubai or Abu Dhabi, the network is very dense.
Our tip: Always fill up before longer drives or before leaving the city to avoid surprises.
How the toll system works
On many highways around Dubai, tolls are charged automatically. Cameras detect your license plate as you drive through. As a tourist, you don’t need to do anything. The charges are settled by the rental car provider using your payment method on file.
Tolls are charged per passage and usually cost around one euro. During our road trip, the total toll cost remained very low.
Rental car in Dubai – our experience with booking and pickup
A rental car was essential for our road trip through the Emirates. We wanted to stay flexible and also visit places outside the big cities. That allowed us to stop whenever we wanted, for example, to explore stunning desert landscapes or visit the ghost town of Al Madam.
One of the most memorable moments happened on the way from Al Ain to Ras Al Khaimah. Right next to the highway, and even partly in the fast lane, several camels were roaming freely. It’s a moment we’ll never forget. Luckily, we managed to capture a few photos and videos.
The booking was done online through a well-known international provider*. The vehicle selection was excellent, and we quickly found a car that suited us. Pickup at Dubai airport was easy and smooth. All we needed was a valid driver’s license, a passport, and a credit card.
Important to know: Our Visa debit card was not accepted, neither by the car rental company nor in the hotels. You’ll need a real credit card with an available credit limit. You can find free travel credit cards that allow you to pay abroad without extra fees here.
The deposit was only blocked on our credit card, not charged. A full insurance policy was included in the price. We also deliberately chose a car with automatic transmission – which turned out to be much more comfortable in city traffic.
Our conclusion on driving in Dubai and the Emirates
Driving in Dubai and the Emirates turned out to be more intense than we had expected. It wasn’t dangerous, but definitely challenging. The traffic moves fast, the driving style is aggressive, and the rules are strictly enforced. At the same time, we appreciated the well-developed infrastructure, the low costs, and the clear signage throughout the region.
Having a rental car gave us a great sense of freedom. Without it, many places on our route would have been difficult or even impossible to reach. Especially for a road trip or if you’re visiting multiple destinations, having your own vehicle is highly recommended.
Still, driving in the Emirates is not the right choice for everyone. If you’re staying only in Dubai or spending most of your time in the city center, services like Uber or Careem might be a more convenient and stress-free alternative.
If you decide to rent a car*, make sure to prepare well. Read up on the local traffic rules, plan extra time for every drive, and don’t expect other drivers to let you in easily. If you keep these things in mind, you’ll be rewarded with a safe and flexible driving experience.
I’m Joshua, and my focus is road trips and round trips. I provide detailed travel information, planning tools, and practical tips for driving abroad. Together, we’ll make your next road trip perfectly organized and unforgettable
