Driving Laws in United Arab Emirates

Everything a visitor needs before driving in United Arab Emirates — which side to drive on, the alcohol limit, national speed limits and licence requirements.

right

Driving Side

steering wheel on the left

0.00

BAC Limit (g/dL)

zero tolerance

120

Motorway Limit

km/h

recommended

Intl. Driving Permit

for foreign visitors

Speed Limits

National Default Speed Limits

Urban / Built-up

60 km/h

Rural / Open Road

100 km/h

Motorway / Highway

120 km/h

Note: Up to 140 on some highways.

Defaults only — posted signs always override national defaults. Laws verified August 2026; rules change, so confirm with an official source before you travel.

Alcohol & Driving

Drink-Driving Rules in United Arab Emirates

General limit: Zero tolerance (0.00)

Reaction time, judgement and night vision all degrade well below any legal threshold — the only limit that guarantees safety is 0.00. Alcohol is a factor in a large share of the world's fatal crashes, and enforcement in United Arab Emirates can include checkpoints, licence loss and jail.

Live Tracking

United Arab Emirates on the Live Map

United Arab Emirates has a WHO-estimated 6.6 road deaths per 100,000 people. See live accident reports and full statistics for United Arab Emirates.

Before You Go

Emergency Number

Save United Arab Emirates's emergency number before you drive — find it in our worldwide emergency numbers directory. And check your rental's tires with the tire age checker.

Nearby

Driving Laws in Neighbouring Countries

Oman Qatar Bahrain Saudi Arabia Kuwait Iran

Questions

FAQ

Which side of the road does United Arab Emirates drive on?

United Arab Emirates drives on the right-hand side of the road (like most of the world).

What is the drink-driving limit in United Arab Emirates?

United Arab Emirates has a zero-tolerance drink-driving law: any measurable alcohol while driving is an offence.

Do I need an International Driving Permit in United Arab Emirates?

An IDP is recommended rather than strictly required for most visitors to United Arab Emirates — but rental companies and police may still ask for one, and it is cheap insurance.

Is it safe to drive in United Arab Emirates?

By the numbers, United Arab Emirates has a WHO-estimated road death rate of 6.6 per 100,000 people (global average about 15), which is safer than the global average — it ranks 156 of 195 countries from most to least deadly. Traffic drives on the right. Any alcohol at all is illegal behind the wheel. Most road deaths anywhere happen at night, at higher speeds and on rural roads, so plan long drives in daylight and follow the posted limits.