Guide About Road Speed Limits in the UAE

Emila Hales
September 5, 2024

As a UAE resident, it is crucial to be familiar with the speed limits on the road. But the question arises why you should observe the speed limits?

The speed limits on the road are set in place to ensure the safety of road users. Non compliance results in heavy fines and even jail time in severe cases. Driving in the UAE needs constant awareness, depending on the various factors. Appropriate speed limit depends on multiple factors including location, weather conditions and the road you’re driving in the UAE. Therefore, it is important to always stay informed of these changes and prepare yourself to adjust accordingly.

General UAE Speed Limits

Here’s a detailed account of UAE speed limits:

Road/Area	Speed Limit
Parking areas and service roads	25 km/h
An urban single carriageway (a city road with a single lane)	40 km/h – 60 km/h
An urban dual carriageway (a city road with separated lanes)	60 km/h or 80 km/h
Rural roads	80 km/h – 160 km/h
Residential area	25 km/h to 40 km/h
Breakdown of Speed Limits in UAE	60 km/h to 120 km/h

Dubai Speed Limits

The maximum road speed limit in Dubai is from 110 to 120 km/h along with a buffer of 20km/h. keep in consideration that the speed limit differs on the basis of the areas of Dubai. For example, on Sheikh Zayed Road the speed limit is 100-120 km/h.

Here’s a list of street speed limits in different areas of Dubai:

S. Number	Road	Road Speed	Radar Control
1	Al Nahda	80	101
2	Damascus	80	101
3	Al Quds	80	101
4	Tunisia	80	101
5	Sheik Khalifa	70	91
6	Amman	80 / 60	101 / 91
7	Al Minaa	80	101
8	Beirut	80	101
9	Zaabeel second	80	101
10	Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan	100 / 80	121 / 101
11	Airport Tunnel-Beirut	80	101
12	Tripoli	100 / 90	121 / 111
13	Al Jumeira	70	91
14	Nad Al Shiba	70	91
15	Al Wasl	70	91
16	Baghdad	80 / 70	101 / 91
17	Um Al Sheef	70	91
18	Al Manarah	70	91
19	Al Athar	70	91
20	Al Thunaya	70	91
21	Al Hadeeqa	70	91
22	Al Seif	70	91
23	Al Orouba	70	91
24	Towers	70	1
25	Muscat	80	01
26	Al Khail	100	121
27	Al Yalayes	120 / 100	140 / 121
28	Al Aweer	100	121
29	Emirates	110	131
30	Mohammad Bin Zayed	110	131
31	Expo	100	121
32	Al Ittihad	100 / 80	121 / 101
33	Ras Al Khor	100	121
34	Sheik Zayed	120 / 100	141 / 121
35	Al Rabat	100	121
36	Al Khawaneej	100	121
37	Al Amardi	90 / 80	121 / 101
38	Sheik Rashid	100	121
39	Hatta Main	120 / 80	141 / 111
40	Al Khaleej	80	101
41	Airport	80	101
42	Nad Al Hamar	80	101
43	King Salman Bin Abdulaziz (ASoufouh previous )	70	91
44	Al Soufouh 2	70	91
45	Oud Metha	80 / 60	01 / 90
46	Um Hurair	80	101
47	Um Suqaim	90	111
48	Al Mankhoul	80	101
49	Al Manama	80	101
50	Al Maidan	100 / 80	121 / 101
51	Casablanca	70	91
52	Hessa	100 / 80	121 / 101
53	Al Mafraq	70	91
54	Dubai Financial	80	101
55	Al Qudra	100	121
56	Algeria	80	101
57	Tunisia	80	101
58	Dubai-Al Ain	120 / 100	141 / 121
59	Al Asayel	80 / 70	101 / 91
60	Qarn Al Sabkhah	80	101
61	Jumeira Palm	60	91
62	Seeh Shuaib	80	101

Keep in consideration that the violations and speed limit are applied to all kinds of vehicles including rent a car Dubai service. Drive within the minimum and maximum speed limits. Practice defensive driving and ensure safety in the road.

Penalties for Exceeding Speed Limits in UAE

Exceeding the speed limit in UAE results in severe penalties. These penalties significantly depend on how over the limit you were driving. The penalties might be in the form of fines, black points on your license as well as jail time in extreme cases.

Therefore, it is important to mind that penalties for exceeding the speed limit in the UAE can change any time. Be aware of the penalties.

Description	Fine Amount	Black Points
Exceeding the maximum speed limit by more than 60km/h	2000 AED	12
Exceeding the maximum speed limit by more than 80km/h	2000 AED	12
Exceeding maximum speed limit by not more than 60km/h	1500 AED	6
Exceeding maximum speed limit by not more than 50km/h	1000 AED	–
Exceeding maximum speed limit by not more than 40km/h	700 AED	–
Exceeding maximum speed limit by not more than 30km/h	300 AED	–

Penalties for Driving Too Slow in The UAE

Excessive slow driving is also allowed. It’s a safety hazard and disruptions to the flow of traffic. That’s why, many roads have minimum speed limits along with the maximum. On Highways, the minimum speed limit is 60 km per hour. Failing to adhere to that limit can result in a fine. Driving below the minimum speed limit is an offense and results in a fine of AED 400. Therefore it’s important to drive at an appropriate and safe speed limit to ensure safety of yourself and others.

Description	Fine Amount	Black Points
Driving on Highways with less than 60 km/h	AED 400	–
Stopping on the road for no reason	AED 100	6

Breakdown of Speed Limits in UAE

Apart from Abu Dhabi’s roads, speed limit and speed buffers are the same wherever you are in the UAE. However, the speed limit you are legally allowed will depend on the road type

Urban roads (80kph)

Urban roads are a bit of a loose Road. The speed limit for these roads is not quite as forward as it should be. Service roads give parallel access to main roads, businesses and shops. Speed limit of 25 kph is aligned and single urban roads have a limit of 40 kph. Moreover, the speed limit on big urban roads is 90 kph. However, the single lane urban roads have a 40 kph speed limit, depending on the stretching of the road.

Rural Road (100kph)

The speed limit of 100 kph on rural roads is universal without any exception. If you are wondering about the speed limits on the ruler road, just take a quick look around. You can see the building next to you. All you need is just sit back in your car and enjoy. Don’t be tempted to push your top speed limit to break the law.

Highways (100-160 kph)

There’s a difference between going 100 kph and 160 kph. Keeping in consideration that there are not many highways in UAE that operate at 100 kph. Speed limit of 160 kph is frustratingly slow along Mohammed Bin Zayed Road whereas going at 160 kph down Sheikh Zayed Road is open up with high-end models. Speed limit on the highway is signposted. So, always pay attention while driving.

Heavy vehicle speed limits

There is a great need to know that the heavy vehicle speed limit depends on the type of vehicle. The trucks or heavy duty vehicles on highways are aligned to 80 km/h. Buses and minibusses can move at the speed of 100km/h. However, on freeways the speed limit for heavy vehicles increased from 60 km 80 km/h. The speed limit is subjected to change when the new limit is displayed on the sign board.

Maximum Speed Buffer

Except Abu Dhabi, there’s a buffer of 20km/h in all Emirates. It means that drivers are not charged a fine unless they go above 20 km per hour of the set limit. For example, if the maximum speed is 120km/h and the motorist will not charge until they cross 140 km/h. Keep in consideration that this is not the case in capital where no buffer system works.

Speed Limit Vs. Maximum Speed Limit

Many motorists have a misunderstanding between speed limit and maximum speed limit. Let’s know the difference:

The speed limit is the number posted on a sign with a red border stating “speed limit”. In Abu Dhabi, the speed limit is also considered as the maximum speed limit but that is not the case with other Emirates.

The legal maximum permitted speed or speed limit mentioned on sign with plus 21 km/h It means that if the speed limit is 80 km per hour other than Abu Dhabi, you’ll not be fined until you drive a speed of more than 101 km per hour. It adds a value on the road to indicate the maximum speed limit.

FAQs

Is there a speed limit buffer in UAE?

Yes, a speed limit buffer of 20 km per hour is available in the UAE except Abu Dhabi. It allows the motorists to go 20 km/h above the limit without adding a fine.

What are the fastest roads in the UAE with the highest speed limit?

The two major highways in UAE are Sheikh Khalifa Highway and Abu Dhabi- Al Ain Highway with the maximum speed limit of 160 km/h.

What are the higher speeding fines in the UAE?

If you exceed the maximum limit by no more than 60 km/h, the fine is AED 1500. For exceeding the limit above 60 km/h, the fine is AED 2000. However, for exceeding above 80 km/h the fine is AED 3000.

Emila Hales

My name is Emila Hales. I've been living in the UAE for the past five years, and I absolutely love traveling. Writing about my travel experiences is something I enjoy, and I'm excited to share my adventures with others who are passionate about exploring new places.

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