Important UAE Traffic & Road Signs and What They Mean

Traffic signs in the UAE are divided into the following: 

Mandatory traffic signs direct drivers to the specific activities they must take on specific UAE roadways and to adhere to specific speed restrictions. Signs like turn right only, ahead only, pass either side, 60 km/h Freeway, travel in the direction of arrows around the roundabout, and keep right and keep left are examples of obligatory traffic signs.

Easy-to-read control signs show the direction of movement, right of way (the moral prerogative of pedestrians and other road users), and restrictions on accessing certain routes. The following control signs are observed in the UAE: you must yield to pedestrians, you must give way, you must stop, and you must travel this way (forward, left, or right).

Drivers are informed where they may and cannot park their cars by parking restriction signs. Additionally, they include time limitations; to put it simply, these signs specify how long your car may be parked in a certain area. 

For those with determination, the UAE offers driving facilities. The disabled parking sign is a blue P with a person in a wheelchair. Also, ‘Parking area for People of Determination only’ is posted in the parking space.  A permit is required, which must be displayed while parking in the area for people with special needs. They won't be able to park in the designated spot without permission.

Highways that are designated as freeways are shown by these signages. The beginning and end of a highway are also indicated here. 

These signs forbid drivers from taking particular acts. Prohibitory signs list specific behaviors that are prohibited while driving. A few examples of signs that forbid drivers include: Turning left or right, overtaking, going faster than the posted speed limit of 80 km/h, blowing the horn, and employing hazardous chemicals. Other signs include those prohibiting cargo vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles, qualifying plates, U-turns, and certain height restrictions.

To ensure that cars are on the correct path intended for their destination, directional signs are put on the road. These signs may be seen on the motorways and other congested roadways of several emirates. Examples include a pictorial sign with an airplane that directs drivers to the Dubai International Airport, signs for main Emirates and Dubai routes, city centers, and descriptions of popular tourist destinations.  

These signs, as their name suggests, provide directions. Information on street names, route numbers, and destinations is provided via the signage. Both Arabic and English are used in the writing of the guide signs.

The advanced guide sign incorporates directional information, pioneering symbols (pointing in the left, forward, and right directions), and route emblems for local or national roads in Dubai. 

These signs inform drivers of the correct lanes to use before exiting. A specific lane is dropped if it is going away from the mainline and has a white exit panel. 

These signs warn people about potentially dangerous situations or they identify impending road intersections that may not be visible to vehicles otherwise.  Although warning signs come in a variety of styles, the majority feature a triangle with a strong red border and a symbol on a white backdrop.

One type of warning sign is the advanced warning sign. Road users are warned of risks or possible hazards via advanced warning. Traffic signs, stop signs, give-way signs, roundabouts, T intersection signs, signs about intersections ahead, two-way traffic, pedestrian crossings, maximum headroom at hazards ahead, and signs indicating curves or bends in the road, including curves to the left and the right, as well as signs indicating U-turns, are some examples of common advanced warnings.

Another type is the diagrammatic signs, which are employed when the standard triangle-shaped advanced warning sign is insufficiently large to alert drivers to an impending danger. These signs can be seen on highways with high speeds. Generally speaking, there are four types of diagrammatic warning signs:

• An obstacle (which may be present in real life or is just expected) has an impact on how traffic moves
• A new lane has been added upfront
• Regulated usage of a lane, such as a lane designated for trucks exclusively
• Merging of lanes

The last type of warning sign is the hazard marker sign. Roadside risks, such as bridge structures, guardrails, or traffic islands are identified with hazard marker signs.  Hazard plate, hazard marker, single chevron right, single chevron left, multiple chevrons right, multiple chevrons left, and T-junction chevron are all indicated by hazard marker signs. 

In conclusion, understanding and following traffic and road signs is essential for safe and hassle-free driving in the UAE. These signs are designed to promote road safety and ensure a smooth flow of traffic. At Excellence Driving we help you familiarize yourself with these important UAE traffic and road signs, you can enjoy your driving experience in this beautiful country while keeping yourself and others safe on the road.