The safety of all residents in the UAE, including Dubai, is a top priority for the government. Hence, traffic regulations are taken very seriously in Dubai and the rest of the emirates. To ensure the safety of all road users, legal speed limits in Dubai are enforced on all roads.
If you’re a driver in Dubai or any of the other emirates in the UAE, you should be aware of the speed limits before using any of the roads. Breaking any traffic rules, including Dubai speed limits, will result in fines, black points, vehicle confiscation, and even jail time.
Road signs have been put in place to provide road users with information on Dubai road speed limits and traffic regulations. Speed limits can vary by road type or its location, and it’s essential to have a knowledge of these to prevent you from violating them or getting into unwanted situations.
We’ve curated a guide to speed limits in Dubai and other emirates to help you navigate traffic in these cities. Let’s learn more about the Dubai road speed limit map in this blog together.
What to Know About Abu Dhabi and Dubai Speed Limits
Different roads in the emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai have varying speed limits and traffic regulations. In Abu Dhabi, the maximum speed limit is 140km/h, but some roads like the Shaikh Khalifa highway and the Abu Dhabi - Al Ain allow up to 160km/h(highest speed limit in the UAE). Unlike in Dubai and other emirates, there’s no speed buffer allowed on roads in Abu Dhabi.
Dubai roads have speed limits ranging from 100-120km/h, and allow a speed buffer of 20km/h. Examples include the Sheikh Zayed road speed limit (E311 road speed limit) of 100km/h, with some variations in more congested areas, and the emirates road speed limit of 120km/h. On roads allowing a speed buffer, you can exceed the speed limit without attracting a fine, as long as you remain within the buffer limit.
Speed Limits on Different Roads in Dubai
Speed limits in Dubai and the rest of the UAE vary depending on the road type and its location. Due to certain conditions, different speed limits are imposed on roads within the city. Here’s a breakdown of speed limits on roads in Dubai:
Major Highways: The highest speed limit of 140km/h is used on major highways in Dubai, with the speed buffer included. Necessary changes will be communicated through the use of temporary road signs.
Residential Areas: The residential speed limit in Dubai is 40km/h for all vehicles passing through living areas.
School Zones: During school hours, a maximum speed limit of 40km/h is permitted when passing through school zones in Dubai.
Work Zones: The legal speed limit when driving through work zones in Dubai is 60km/h.
It’s important you know that the maximum speed limit in Dubai is 140km/h, found on certain sections of major highways within the city such as the Emirates Road and the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. Speed limits can vary depending on traffic, weather, road maintenance, or other reasons. It’s advisable you pay careful attention to the changes when driving on roads in Dubai.
Fines and Penalties for Legal Speed Limit Violations
Violating speed limits in Dubai can result in fines, vehicle confiscation, black points on license, and even imprisonment. Penalties vary depending on the severity of the violation:
| Speed Limit Violation |
Fine (AED) |
Black Points & Vehicle Confiscation |
| Exceeding the speed limit by 20km/h |
300 |
3 black points |
| Exceeding the speed limit by 21-30km/h |
400 |
4 black points |
| Exceeding the speed limit by 31-40km/h |
500 |
5 black points |
| Exceeding the speed limit by more than 40km/h |
1,000 |
6 black points & 30-day vehicle confiscation |
Driving too slowly in Dubai can also attract fines as it is considered a road hazard and can put other road users in danger. It can also cause traffic disruptions. Because of this, major highways in Dubai have a minimum speed limit of 60km/h. Fines and black points are applicable to vehicles that violate the minimum speed limit on highways and other places where there are such traffic indications.
Here’s what you need to know about the minimum speed limits in Dubai:
- Driving on highways at a speed less than 60km/h - A fine of AED 400
- Stopping on the road for no reason - A fine of AED 400 and 6 black points.
To Conclude,
Dubai boasts of some of the best road networks in the world, and it’s essential for drivers to adhere to traffic regulations, particularly speed limits, to prevent congestion and road accidents. This is to ensure the safety of all road users. The black points system, alongside fines and other penalties, serve as a deterrent to traffic offenders.
With all these measures in place and efforts being made to keep residents informed on speed limits, roads in Dubai can be safer for everyone. Residents are enjoined to obey traffic regulations and drive within the speed limits allowed for that area.
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