Luxury & Supercars
The short answer
Speed limits in Dubai range from 40 to 60 km/h in the city to 100–120 km/h on the main highways, and they are enforced by fixed and mobile radars. Abu Dhabi radars have no tolerance above the posted limit. Salik tolls are charged automatically through a tag on the car, with no booths, and are added to your rental bill.
Speed limits on Dubai's main roads
Most city streets are limited to 40–80 km/h. Sheikh Zayed Road is mostly 100–120 km/h, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road are up to 120 km/h on many sections. Limits change often along the same road, so watch the signs rather than your memory.
Radars are everywhere, including mobile units and average-speed sections. Some drivers talk about a margin above the limit, but it is not a rule you should plan around.
Why Abu Dhabi is different
Abu Dhabi removed the speed tolerance on its radars, so a camera can flash at just above the posted limit. If you drive to the capital, keep strictly to the signs.
How Salik tolls work in a rental car
Salik is Dubai's automatic toll system. There are no booths: a tag on the windscreen is read as you pass under a gate on roads such as Sheikh Zayed Road or Al Maktoum Bridge.
In a rental car you do not need to do anything. The crossings are recorded on the car's tag and added to your final bill after the rental.
Other rules worth knowing
Everyone in the car must wear a seatbelt, using a phone while driving is fined, and the legal alcohol limit for driving is zero. Parking in paid zones is paid by app or machine.
High-performance cars run on Super 98 petrol and are returned with the same fuel level. For scenic routes that respect all of this, read our guide to the best driving roads in the UAE.
Frequently asked questions
What is the speed limit on Sheikh Zayed Road?
Most sections of Sheikh Zayed Road are limited to 100–120 km/h. Follow the signs, because the limit changes along the road.
How do I pay Salik in a rental car?
You do not pay at the road. The rental car's tag records each crossing and the tolls are added to your bill after the rental.
Who pays speeding fines in a rental car?
The driver. Fines registered to the car during your rental are passed on to you after the rental.
