Map of roads in UAE
Categories of vehicles in UAE
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has a comprehensive motor vehicle classification system that classifies vehicles based on their intended use. This system is important to ensure the safe and legal operation of the vehicle. For those looking to buy a used car in the UAE, understanding the vehicle classification system can help ensure the vehicle meets their needs and complies with regulations.
Private Vehicles
Personal vehicles are the most common type of vehicle in the UAE and include cars and other vehicles used for personal use. This category includes sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs and sports cars. Private vehicles are owned by individuals and families and are typically used for transportation purposes, such as going to work or running errands. Private cars are a popular option for those looking to buy used cars in the UAE.
Commercial Vehicles
Commercial vehicles, on the other hand, are used for business purposes. This category includes vans, trucks, buses, trains and taxis. Commercial vehicles are owned by companies and organizations and used to transport goods, people, or both. These vehicles are usually registered for commercial use and are subject to different regulations than private cars. For example, operating a commercial vehicle may require a special permit or license, and weight and size restrictions may apply.
Motorcycles
Motorcycles are another vehicle category in the UAE. All types of two-wheeled vehicles, such as scooters and motorcycles, fall under this category. Motorcycles can be used for both personal transportation and commercial purposes, such as food delivery services. The United Arab Emirates has special regulations for motorcycles, including helmet laws and lane-splitting restrictions.
Heavy Vehicles
Heavy vehicles are large trucks and trailers used to transport heavy goods or equipment. These vehicles are further classified based on the number of axles. Heavy-duty vehicles are used for a variety of purposes, including construction, mining and trucking. Due to their size and weight, these vehicles are subject to special regulations in the UAE, including movement restrictions and speed limits in certain areas.
Special Purpose Vehicles
Finally, there are special cars in the United Arab Emirates. This category includes vehicles designed for specific purposes, such as ambulances, fire trucks, and construction vehicles. Special purpose vehicles may require special licenses or permits to operate and are subject to different regulations than other types of vehicles. For example, emergency vehicles are allowed to exceed speed limits and run red lights under certain circumstances.
Mechanical Tractors and Other Mechanical Devices
Tractors are high- powered, low- speed vehicles that give traction and mechanical power for out- road use. There are two primary types wheeled and nonstop track. The original form of tractors evolved from brume machines used on granges in the late 1800s and were originally employed to haul plows. In 1892, a blacksmith from Iowa named John Froehlich created the first gasoline- powered ranch vehicle. The first commercially successful makers wereC.W. Hart andC.H. Parr of Charles City, Iowa. Tractors were well established by World War I and the US Holt tractor was an alleviation for the tanks used in the war by the British and French. moment, tractors, balers, combines, plows, mowers, agronomists, and sprayers are among the most common types of ranch outfit and ministry.
In conclusion, the UAE classifies motor vehicles grounded on their intended use, weight, and number of axles. The bracket system is used for licensing, enrollment , and insurance purposes, and helps to insure that vehicles are operated safely and in agreement with the law.
Tolls in UAE
The United Arab Emirates boasts some of the highest quality roads in the region, making for a smooth driving experience. The road infrastructure is in good condition and is constantly being improved. The UAE does not have a vignette system; instead, the country relies on a toll road system known as Salik to fund road maintenance.
There are toll roads in the UAE and they are very easy to use. It’s so easy that some tourists don’t even notice that they drove a rented car around them during their entire vacation. The toll collection system operates using automatic gates, without barriers or payment points. The entrance to such a road can only be recognized by special signs with the inscription “Salik” or “Toll Gate”.
There is no need to stop or slow down to pass through toll gates. Every time you drive through this gate, it will instantly recognize your vehicle and scan your Salik sticker or vehicle number. The money is automatically debited from the shared account to the rental car.
Travel on toll road sections is paid by the tenant.
After the rental, the rental company provides the client with a report on the debiting of travel money from the general account and deducts the corresponding amount from the deposit. It is also possible to withhold up to 10-15% of the amount for administrative expenses for payment.
If you want to minimize travel through toll sections, set the navigator application settings to “No toll roads.”
Dubai toll roads
There are currently 8 gates in operation:
- Al Safa (Sheikh Zayed Road).
- Al Barsha (Sheikh Zayed Road).
- Jebel Ali (Sheikh Zayed Road).
- Al-Garhoud Bridge (Sheikh Rashid Road).
- Al Maktoum Bridge (Umm Hurair Street). Free from 22:00 Thursday to 6:00 Saturday.
- Al Mamzar South and North (Al Ittihad Road). When traveling through Al Mamzar South Gate and North Gate in one direction within an hour, you will only be charged once.
- Airport tunnel (Beirut street).
The cost of travel under one gate is 4 dirhams (~0.90 €).
Abu Dhabi toll roads
The gates are located on the main bridges leading to the capital:
- Sheikh Zayed Bridge.
- Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Bridge.
- Al Maqtaa Bridge.
- Mussafa Bridge.
The cost of travel under one gate is 4 dirhams (~0.90€), the maximum daily fee is 16 dirhams (~3.65€) per car.
Payment is collected from 7:00 to 9:00 and from 17:00 to 19:00 from Saturday to Thursday. On holidays – free.
Toll road prices in UAE
The toll is deducted from the prepaid account when passing through the toll gate.
Abu Dhabi – recognition of the vehicle in the toll gate by license plate
- – registration in toll system Darb 100 AED, 50 AED registration + 50 AED credit
- – for vehicles registered in Abu Dhabi, the account is created automatically
- – toll 4 AED when passing through the toll gate, payment of tolls from prepaid credit
- – toll charged only during peak hours Sat – Thu 7am – 9am and 5pm – 7pm
- – outside the time above, on Fridays and public holidays tolls are free of charge
- – the account can be used for multiple vehicles
- – fee limits for the first registered vehicle are 16 AED/day and 200 AED/month
Dubai – recognition of the vehicle in the toll gate by chip sticker
- – registration in toll system Salik 100 AED, 50 AED registration + 50 AED credit
- – registration of vehicles registered abroad at one of the Emarat, ADNOC, ENOC or EPPCO petrol stations
- – chip sticker can be ordered online or picked up at one of the petrol stations
- – after passing through the toll gate without credit, it is necessary to top up and pay the amount additionally
- – toll 4 AED when passing through the toll gate, payment of tolls from prepaid credit
The speed limits in UAE
- excess up to 10 km/h – 400AED (~109$)
- up to 20 km/h – 300-500AED (~82-136$)
- up to 30 km/h – 600AED (~163$)
- up to 40 km/h – 700AED (~191$)
- up to 50 km/h – 800-1000AED (~218-272$)
- up to 60 km/h – 900-1500AED (~245-408$), car confiscation is possible
- more than 60 km/h – 1000-2000AED (~272-545$), possible confiscation
- more than 80 km/h – 3000AED (~$817), possible confiscation and deprivation of rights
- driving slower than the posted speed limit – 200-400AED (~$54-109)
Traffic violations in UAE
Seat belts are required for all passengers. Ignoring will cost 400AED (~109$).
Using a mobile phone , wearing makeup and smoking while driving is prohibited – 200-800AED (~$54-218).
You should not eat or drink drinks while driving.
At roundabouts, vehicles traveling in a circle have priority, unless otherwise indicated on the relevant road signs. Violation will cost 500AED (~$136).
Driving in the dark or in fog without headlights on, ignoring turn signals – 100-400AED (~$27-109).
Pedestrians should be allowed to pass at pedestrian crossings . For violation – 500AED (~$136).
A child seat is required for passengers under 10 years of age. Passengers under 10 years of age can be carried in the front seat . Violation – 400AED (~109$).
It is prohibited to smoke in a car if there is a child under 12 years old in the car. Also, children and animals should not be left unattended in the vehicle.
You cannot stop on the highway without a good reason – 500-1000AED (~$136-272).
Driving through a red traffic light costs 800-1000AED (~218-272$).
Ignoring road signs – 500AED (~136$).
Failure to maintain sufficient distance while driving – 400AED (~109$).
Throwing garbage out of the window – 500-1000AED (~136-272$).
Road racing – 2000AED (~$545).
Special purpose vehicles should be allowed through : ambulances, firefighters, motorcades, convoys – 200-800AED (~$54-218).
Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs – deprivation of rights, confiscation of the vehicle, arrest possible.
How to pay fines in UAE?
Violations recorded by cameras, radars or the police themselves are entered into a common electronic database.
Fines are published on the traffic police website with a delay of 3-4 weeks. That is why the deposit is returned after this period.
How to check if there is a fine
- Visit the Dubai Police website www.dubaipolice.gov.ae
- In the “TC No.” section Enter your car number and captcha.
3. The website will display a statement of ALL unpaid car fines. Please check ONLY your rental dates.
How to pay
On-site law enforcement officers do not accept payment.
You can pay yourself at police stations, as well as at police service centers in large malls. The Transportation Department accepts cash payments and operates from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
If you pay yourself, be careful to see if the date of the violation matches the dates of your lease. The database stores a list of all unpaid vehicle fines.
You can pay online through the Ministry of Internal Affairs app only with a local card (you cannot pay with a foreign card). Therefore, rental companies take on this mission. The state charges rental companies an additional service fee for payment processing + VAT. Therefore, the final amount can be increased by 10-15%.
Traffic police in the United Arab Emirates
In large cities, police officers constantly patrol the streets, check for correct parking and enforce traffic rules. There are practically none on the highways.
There are many video cameras on all roads in the country that record violations. You must follow traffic rules everywhere.
It is not recommended to overtake law enforcement vehicles.
If you are stopped by traffic police, behave politely. Say hello. Show your national and international driving license, your passport, car documents and rental agreement.
Giving bribes to police officers is strictly prohibited.
Ignoring the demands of government officials can cost 400-800AED (~$109-218).
Parking in Dubai
Parking in Dubai can be paid or free. They can be identified by familiar signs and markings. We do not recommend leaving your car in unauthorized places: fines for violating the rules are issued quite quickly.
Paid parking
Most parking lots in Dubai are paid. They are municipal and private.
Municipal
Municipal parking lots are maintained by RTA. The cost of a parking hour depends on the city area, type of parking and length of stay.
Payment is charged from 08:00 to 22:00.
There is no need to pay on Fridays and holidays.
RTA parking zones
Category 1 covers the central business districts of the city: Deira, Jumeirah, Bur Dubai, Dubai Marina, etc.
Prices:
- Places along the sidewalks – 4 dirhams (~$1.10) per hour. Maximum stay time is 4 hours.
- On-site parking: hour – 3 AED (~$0.80); day – 20 AED (~5.45$).
Category 2 includes all remaining areas, which are mainly residential areas.
Prices:
| Along the streets | Area | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| durationtimes | priceAED / $ | durationtimes | priceAED / $ |
| 1 | 2 / 0.55 | 1 | 2 / 0.55 |
| 2 | 5 / 1.35 | 2 | 4 / 1.10 |
| 3 | 8 / 2.20 | 3 | 5 / 1.35 |
| 4 | 11 / 3 | 4 | 7 / 1.90 |
| 24 | 10 / 2.70 | ||
Special parking zone in the DMCC – JLT area is paid at its own special rates. The cost is charged around the clock and varies from 4 to 10 dirhams (~$1.90-$2.70) per hour.
Payment Methods
You can pay for parking a rented car in several ways:
- Parking meter . There are old and new parking meters. The old ones still issue tickets, which must be left on the dashboard so that the inspector can see them. But they don’t issue new coupons – just enter the car number and you’re done, all the data goes into a single electronic system, with the help of which payment is checked even through cameras.
Parking meters accept coins and Nol transport cards; bank cards and paper money will not work.
- SMS . From a local operator’s SIM card, you can send an SMS to number 7275 in the format “car number – parking code – duration in hours” and the money will be debited from your balance. Detailed instructions are available on each parking meter.
- RTA Dubai app ( Play Store , App Store ). You will need to enter your car number, parking code and time. Payment is collected via SMS.
Private parking lots
Private parking lots can be recognized by the presence of the company name on the “P” sign. Also, many hotels, restaurants, cafes, and shopping centers have their own parking. The cost is different everywhere, you can check it in advance on the website of the place where you are going.
Many establishments provide free parking hours for their customers.
The conditions for obtaining such watches vary everywhere; in some places it is enough just to come to the establishment, but in others you need to spend a certain amount and provide a receipt.
Free parking
You can leave your car in Dubai for free:
- in city parking lots at night. Fridays and holidays are free 24 hours a day;
- in some cafes, restaurants, hotels, shopping centers, if you are their client;
- in built-up areas where parking meters have not yet been installed.
Fines
- Unpaid parking – 150 AED (~41$).
- Non-extending – 100 AED (~27$).
- In the wrong place – 200 AED (~54$).
- On site for disabled people – 1000 AED (~272$).
- Parking with the engine running – 300 AED (~82$).
You can check the presence of a fine for a certain period on the website www.rta.ae , but you can only pay it with a UAE credit card. If you’re in a rental car and don’t have a local credit card, don’t worry. The rental company will pay your fine and then provide you with a statement and deduct the appropriate amount from your deposit.
If you’re paying yourself, check carefully to make sure the violation date matches your rental period. It is unlikely that you will be able to get your money back for someone else’s fine.
Gas stations in the UAE
Refueling in the UAE is very easy. The driver does not even have to leave the car; you can simply lower the window and tell the employee what fuel and how much to fill.
It is also not necessary to know Arabic; you can explain yourself in English. And if you don’t know it, just name the type of fuel and give the required amount in cash without change – they will refuel without any problems.
Prices
The UAE is an oil-producing country, so fuel here is cheaper than in many European countries.
Cost for August 2023:
- Gasoline Special 95 – 3.02 AED (~$0.82);
- Super 98 gasoline – AED 3.14 (~$0.85);
- Diesel Diesel – 2.95 AED (~0.80$).
There is no significant difference in gasoline prices between emirates where there is oil (Dubai, Abu Dhabi) and those where there is none (Fujairah).
There are enough gas stations on the main routes; there is no need for a large supply.
The most popular gas stations in the Emirates are ADNOC and Emarat. But you can refuel a rented car at any place; the quality is excellent everywhere.
Payment by card
Of course, you can pay for fuel with a card; gas stations have portable terminals.
Sometimes it is more convenient to pay in cash, since when you pay with a card, about 80 dirhams (~$21.78) are frozen on it, even if you fill up for a smaller amount. The remaining money on the card is not returned immediately.
Usually in 1-2 days, but there are times when the “transaction is being processed” for a week or more.
Tips
At some gas stations, an additional fee of 10 dirhams (~$2.72) is charged for the services of refillers. The service includes washing the windshield, checking tire pressure, as well as small discounts at convenience stores at gas stations. “Tips” are not charged everywhere, but only where Premium is written on the columns.
Since November 2019, service on the ADNOC network is free.
By the way, people with disabilities and pensioners are not required to pay 10 dirhams, even for premium service.
Gas stations with self-service system
There is a Self-Service self-service system in the Emirates, but it is not widely used. Although local gas stations tried to attract customers with preferential prices, in a hot and humid climate you don’t really want to get out of an air-conditioned car in order to save what is, by local standards, small money.
Self-Service pumps are located along Sheikh Zayed Road. They only work at night when it is not so hot. From 0:00 to 6:00. All inscriptions are duplicated in English.