So, you just have booked the vacation in Dubai, but the rules of the road are concerning you. More specifically, you are unsure if women are allowed to drive in Dubai. This makes sense considering the cultural aspects of the United Arab Emirates. The good news is that women drive in Dubai and the female population exceeds 25% of all those holding a driving license in the Emirate of Dubai. There are some general rules for this, however, and some guidelines that differ from driving in the United States and other Western countries. In this article, we’ll expand on why such a change is significant and offer some helpful advice on how to make it work for you if you want to explore or even relocate to Dubai in this context. This will include references to the legal support for female driving, hiring a car service, and how to implement that in Dubai.
Where Women Are Allowed to Drive?
Dubai is one of the most liberal when it comes to female drivers cities in the United Arab Emirates as women can even obtain a driving license from the Roads and Transport Authority. Concerning the latter, nothing can stop you from driving in the emirate. There are also female-only driver’s media, with the taxi companies being the most common providers.
One should not forget, though, that the situation is entirely different in the rest of the UAE. So, women are not legally allowed to drive outside of Dubai without a male companion or driver. Moreover, to rent a car, the majority of rental organizations require the female driver to have a letter from her sponsor that gives her the right to drive.
Documents and Qualifications
If you are a lady and wish to drive in Dubai, these are the documents and qualifications you need to have. In the UAE, regardless of gender, you have to prove your proficiency on the road before you are allowed to:
- A valid Emirates ID card
- passport a non-objection certificate from the employer
- Proof of residential address.
Generally, this process is faster and simpler, so you are likely to get a new license in the mail soon.
Tips for Female Drivers
Local Dress Code: Female drivers tend to cover up as much as possible according to the local dress code. Female drivers might wear modestly, including long sleeves, long skirts, and headscarves. Females should also not put on revealing clothes while driving
Don’t Overtake: Female drivers should also avoid overtaking other vehicles unnecessarily. In Dubai, it is best not to tailgate or drive aggressively in the city.
Do Not Make Eye Contact: Female drivers should remember that they should not make eye contact in this country whenever they communicate with people in other cars. This implies that making eye contact with a man can be regarded as a disgraceful and indecent act. In case a woman feels confident in her driving skills in Dubai and follows the advice listed above, nothing negative will happen on the roads.
Traffic Safety Tips
Be visible: While driving around Dubai, it is vital to stay visible to others at all times. This can be ensured by keeping the headlights on while driving, both during the day and night. Wearing bright clothing also helps other drivers to spot you easily on the roads. Furthermore, one must have a clear visual of the surroundings and drive defensively.
Keep your documents while driving: As mandated by the laws, all drivers must have a valid driving license again while they are on the roads. Another document that must be carried along is the car registration and insurance papers. To ensure a happy journey with no trouble, one should make sure to have these documents ready while traveling.
Know City Map or GPS: All drivers need to be equipped with easy knowledge of the city’s streets and roads, and this is particularly important for women who do not know their way around. Be sure to have an updated city map or get a GPS. It will help you even more if road renovations or other factors are influencing your route.
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Conclusion
In the final analysis, this is not only a matter of gaining permission to drive but it is an issue of social acceptance and women empowerment which must change greatly since there should be no discrimination based on gender. The generation of an inclusive driving culture by Dubai is indispensable if it has to go forward along the path of gender equality. This culture should surpass the gender barriers to enable both men and women confidently to drive the roads safely. Allowing women to drive in Dubai will not only be accepted but honored as a progression step for all.