How to Read Road Signs in the UAE

If you want to drive safely, you need traffic signs. These signs allow drivers to know their required speed limit at specific points, where and when to turn, so as not to collide with any car coming from the opposite direction. Driving signs in the UAE help to avoid accidents on the road, and you will come across them in many cities. In this section, you will find the types of road signs that you may encounter when visiting the country. The Dubai Traffic Authority and the Abu Dhabi Ministry of Transport oversee the UAE's traffic signs, which are a part of the UK and SADC road sign systems.

The UAE street signs use Arabic, which is the country's main language. However, English-language signs are posted in significant public locations like immigration checkpoints, tourist attractions, and airports.

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Now, let’s get down to road signs in Dubai. There are 4 categories of them:

• regulatory signs;
• warning signs;
• guide and information signs;
• temporary signs.

Each of them has its own subspecies, which you will read about in more detail below.

Temporary work zone traffic signs are signs placed to ensure that traffic can move freely on roads despite road works taking place in the area. These signs are in the form of an orange diamond, orange rectangle, or yellow rectangle.

Information traffic signs indicate a specific condition or nature of the road ahead that drivers should pay attention to. These signs are separate from the existing mandatory and prohibitory signs, and they are typically rectangular in shape, with white or blue colors.

Mandatory traffic signs

How to read road signs in the UAE? Mandatory signs give positive instructions to the driver, while prohibitory signs indicate a prohibition. The required movements are usually roundabouts with a white border and symbols on a blue background.

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Mandatory UAE traffic signs include:

• Forward only;
• Left turn forward;
• Right turn forward;
• Left turn (reversed);
• Keep left;
• Keep right;
• Share the path;
• Route for cyclists only;
• Tram only;
• Roundabout;
• Stop and give way signs.

As you can see, temporary traffic signs can be in any category and be used on a mandatory basis and to prohibit something.

Control signs

Control signs in the UAE are used to point out things like the right way to go and where you can't enter. You can follow the instructions on the control signs. One example of a control sign is a stop sign.

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Parking control signs

Parking control signs that say when and where parking is allowed and not allowed. Compliance with parking control signs results in penalties for infractions and ensures safe and effective use of parking spaces.

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As you can see, these traffic signs indicate where spaces are reserved for people with special needs, for public transport and taxis, where commercial vehicles are unloaded, as well as the parking hours.

Handicapped parking signs

These signs in the UAE require special attention, as they are intended for people with special physical needs and you can only park there with an official permit. Otherwise, you will be fined.

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New parking meters being installed in the UAE will record those neglecting parking control signs for the disabled. For 20 seconds, the machines will emit sound signals and then photograph the license plates of cars parked in spaces reserved for people with disabilities.

Freeway controlled signs

If you’re driving on the highways or freeways, these UAE traffic signs direct the flow of traffic. Signs that say "freeway begins" and "freeway ends" are two examples of freeway-controlled signs.

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For the purpose of preserving traffic flow and preventing accidents and congestion, it is essential to comply with these traffic signs.

Prohibitory road signs

Prohibitory traffic signs in Dubai tell drivers what they must not do and are generally round with a red border. You can see what some of them look like in the picture below.

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Road violations are denoted by circular signs with a white background and a red circle or symbol. Don’t forget that it is essential to adhere to prohibited driving signs in order to maintain road safety and avoid penalties.

Warning signs

Warning signs indicate possible hazards or unusual conditions ahead to alert drivers so they can take appropriate action. These traffic signs are typically triangles with a red border and are placed on a white background with no borders. Warning signs include:

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There are many more warning UAE traffic signs, but you will recognize them by their shape and color. Do not forget that the signs are duplicated in English, so you will be able to read what dangers and fines a particular sign warns about.

Advanced warning signs

Traffic signs in the shape of triangles with a red border and a white background alert people to potential dangers.

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Diagrammatic warning signs

Signs in the shape of rectangles with black designs on a white background convey information about upcoming changes or dangers.

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Hazard marker signs

Hazard marker traffic signs are road signs that point out specific dangers or obstacles. It is essential to adhere to hazard marker signs in order to prevent accidents and ensure road safety.

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How to read UAE traffic signs

In Dubai, traffic is on the right. Roundabouts at intersections: priority is given to those driving in the roundabout. If this rule is canceled, a special road sign will warn you about it. Let us remind you once again that English and Arabic are used in addition to standard international symbols on UAE traffic signs, which are made to be easy to understand.

Meanings are conveyed through color coding of UAE traffic signs:

• Red: mandatory and prohibitive;
• Yellow: warning;
• Blue: information/guide sign and trailblazing;
• Green: parking.

RTA allows you to simplify your life and download a special application that will help you navigate all signs without problems — RTA Signal Test: Traffic Signs or RTA Dubai Drive.

We try to give you as much useful information as possible because when you rent a car in Dubai you simply have to use this experience to the maximum. Our luxury car fleet offers a variety of fast and stylish vehicles. You can rent Lamborghini or rent Porsche to feel at home in Dubai. If you rent Ferrari, you can conquer the roads of the emirate in the best possible way.