Can I Get a Ticket for Driving Too Slowly in the UAE?

The UAE boasts world-class infrastructure, an unmatched automotive industry, and remarkable traffic management systems to keep its metropolises running smoothly. On top of these are well-thought-out traffic rules and unforgiving violation penalties, governing smooth traffic operations nationwide. While many are aware of violations, like running red lights and overspeeding, not everyone knows that the Emirates has tickets for driving too slowly as well. Yes, you can get a traffic fine/ticket for slow driving in several minimum speed specified highway sections, such as the Dubai–Al Ain Road (E66) where a specific minimum speed is enforced, or on other major roads like Sheikh Zayed Road (SZR) if you are obstructing faster traffic flow. Let’s explore this lesser-known traffic rule of the Emirates.

Can I get a fine for driving too slowly?

Yes, you can get a ticket for driving too slowly in the UAE.

Is Driving Too Slowly Illegal in the UAE?

Yes, driving too slow is illegal in the UAE under the Federal Traffic Law (which saw significant updates in late 2024 and early 2025), specifically for obstructing traffic or driving below posted minimum speed limits on designated roads.

Keep in mind that you should always adhere to the posted speed signs—neither go beyond nor drive below. It’s mandatory to keep the traffic flowing smoothly and prevent any hazardous accidents. The UAE authorities strategically plan out these speed-specified zones for safety reasons, which can be massively altered if you’re driving too slowly.

UAE Traffic Laws on Slow Driving

With an understanding of the legalities of driving too slow in the Emirates, let’s take a deeper dive into what exactly the traffic laws that govern the slow driving aspect on Emirates roads.

Under the Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 on Traffic Regulation, effective March 29, 2025, clearly states that rivers must go at a safe speed—not too fast, not too slow. It prevents vehicles from bumping into each other or causing traffic jams. This law, and its executive regulations, emphasize the importance of keeping traffic flowing smoothly and safely.

Drivers must adhere to the minimum speed limits posted speed limits, which are typically indicated by blue circular signs. UAE speed limits are generally 60–80 km/h on major highways and 40–60 km/h on urban highways, while specific roads like the Dubai–Al Ain Road (E66) may have higher explicit minimums (e.g., 100 km/h in certain zones).

Fines and Penalties for Slow Driving

UAE’s slow driving regulations are uniform across the different Emirates, which relates to standardized traffic fines and penalties across the country. The generalized emirate-specific traffic fines and penalties for slow driving are:

• Fine (Monetary): AED 400 for driving too slowly or obstructing traffic (e.g., below a posted minimum speed limit of 60 km/h on most highway sections where indicated).

• Black Points: 4 black points for each violation. Reaching 24 points will lead to driver’s license suspension.

• Vehicle Impoundment: Fortunately, there is no vehicle impoundment for slow driving in the UAE.

While these general fines apply to slow speed violations in the country, Emirates like Dubai and Abu Dhabi enforce these rules more strictly as they have busier highways than the rest.  For instance, Abu Dhabi alone accounted for over 99% of the more than 409,000 slow driving fines issued nationwide in 2024. It highlights the emirate’s vigorous enforcement on its busy highways, compared to other emirates like Sharjah, with significantly fewer reported violations for this specific offense.

Roads with Minimum Speed Limits in the UAE

With a clear understanding of the UAE’s penalty regulations across its emirates, let’s explore the roads (highways & urban roads) with minimum speed limits. Note that not all highways don’t have a constant minimum speed limit. Minimum speed limits are dynamic as they occur and persist within specific sections of several Emirates roads.

For instance, the Dubai–Al Ain Road (E66) has an explicitly stated minimum speed limit of 100 km/h in certain sections (with an effective fine threshold of 80 km/h due to the buffer). Previously, a prominent example of a higher minimum speed was the 120 km/h on the leftmost lanes of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Road (E311) in Abu Dhabi, which was officially removed as of April 14, 2025.

Beyond these specific cases, a general minimum speed of 60 km/h applies to various other highways across the UAE, which are indicated by blue circular signs. It's crucial for drivers to always observe these signs, as adhering to minimum speeds is vital for maintaining safe and fluid traffic flow. 

How Slow Driving Rule Is Enforced

You might wonder how authorities can know that drivers are driving over or under the speed limits—enhanced AI-powered traffic management system is your answer. The UAE spends billions of dirhams to innovate and upgrade its traffic infrastructures, including the latest radar camera systems, AI-assisted smart cameras, multi-function cameras, and radar sensors that transmit live reports to the authorities with clear and high-definition photos and short videos of the violation.

On top of these extremely advanced tools, the emirate authorities patrol and act promptly to any incident on the roads to maintain a smooth traffic flow and ensure safety. It’s a combination of human efforts, the finest technologies, and unrestricted investments that make punishing rule breakers in the Emirates a simple & efficient job.

Tips to Avoid Slow Driving Fines

Moving on to the last section of the article—the only way to avoid slow driving fines in the Emirates is to adhere to the traffic fines at all times. Staying vigilant and adjusting your speed according to posted limits and prevailing road conditions is the perfect way to avoid such penalties.

Furthermore,  you can leverage top navigation maps for live road updates which also include the speed information and alerts for radar zones. Following the official pages of RTA Dubai or Abu Dhabi Police also keeps your knowledge current on any traffic updates, which can help you avoid fines while driving on the Emirates roads.

Beyond observing posted limits:

• Always maintain lane discipline.

• Stay aware of the buffer zones.

• Ensure your vehicle is optimal to keep up with the traffic demands.

Apart from these, Safe Driving Tips for First-Time Drivers will come in handy, especially if you're new to the country and seek a seamless driving experience.

Conclusion

Getting a ticket for driving too slowly in the UAE is a very real possibility, as the country integrates the most enhanced road technology to continuously monitor vehicle movements and ensure traffic fluidity. A fine of AED 400 and 4 black points are imminent if you're caught violating minimum speed limits or obstructing traffic flow. With over 409,000 such fines issued in 2024 (the vast majority in Abu Dhabi), it's clear authorities are serious about this. Therefore, make sure you consistently adhere to all posted speed signage and maintain appropriate speeds to contribute to safer and smoother driving across the Emirates.