Driving
Abu Dhabi’s streets were constructed on a relatively simple grid system, which would make for easy driving were it not for the fact that many of the streets have more than one name.
Imagine, for example, that you are travelling from Dubai, heading for the corniche. Arriving on the island via the Maqta Bridge, you may be directed to either Old Airport Road or Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street.
In truth, they are one and the same – the name used depends on who you are talking to. Similar confusion can be found on Al Bateen Street (Hazza Bin Zayed the First Street), Bani Yas Street (Najda Street), Al Falah Street (Khaleej Al Arabi Street – also the name given to the lengthy strip known as Coastal Road) and a host of others. There are few exceptions – the Corniche Road being one of them – but, luckily, most of the older taxi drivers have all possible configurations down pat.
Adding to the confusion are the encroaching road works. Abu Dhabi’s population is expanding at a tremendous rate and, as such, room on the main island for housing and traffic is at a premium. Salaam Street (Eastern Ring Road) is a current cause of mass confusion, best avoided during rush hour when the traffic comes to a noisy standstill. Work is due to continue into 2010, ultimately bringing to an end more than two years of congestion. Information on traffic hotspots is regularly reported on local radio, as well as in daily newspapers, and many find the updates invaluable.
Driving standards are generally poor (the UAE licence is not accepted in Europe). People lack lane discipline, have no understanding of stopping distances, and many appear to believe that indicating is a sign of lily-livered weakness. It can be a blood-boiling experience, but remember – obscene gestures can lead to a minimum of six months in prison and a fine of Dhs5,000. Our best advice is to take a deep breath, plan your route in advance and expect the unexpected.
Swapping your licence
If you are 18 or over, and have a passport, residence visa and driving licence from any of the EU countries, GCC, the US or Canada, Japan, Turkey, Switzerland, South Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Australia or New Zealand, you can swap your licence for a UAE equivalent. This can be done at the Traffic Police Licensing Department (see www.adpolice.gov.ae for more info). The process takes around an hour and costs Dhs200, plus a little extra for typing.
You will need: passport with valid residence visa plus copies; current licence (with copies); a letter of no objection from your sponsor; a document detailing your blood group; passport photos (at least three) and evidence of a successful eye test by a registered optician (this can be done at the department). You will also need to be patient. Polite smiles tend to work better than expat hissy fits.
Nationals from other countries must enter the chaotic world of the UAE learner system. They will need a minimum of 40 half-hour lessons, even if they’ve been driving without any problems for several years. Rules change regularly, so call the Department of Transport on 02 505 3311 or visit www.transportabudhabi.ae, for up-to-date information.
Motorbike licence
Application for a motorcycle licence works on a similar system to that of a driving licence – transferable if you have one from your own country, needed if your country is not on the list of acceptable licences.
Learning to drive
Until recently, there were lots of independent instructors, though numbers are declining as students increasingly choose the Emirates Driving Company (02 551 1911; www.edcad.ae) – a one-stop shop located in Mussafah that ultimately grants all licenses anyway (it’s partly owned by the police). Your learning car is likely to be a Nissan Sunny or a Toyota Corolla, and you can choose to learn in a manual or an automatic. Beware, though, that the waiting list to start a course of lessons can be as long as four months. However, if you’re willing to pay an extra wedge of money, you can get ‘VIP’ treatment, and skip the waiting list.
The driving test
The driving test has been a highly debated topic for many years. The practical element is something of a lottery, with the driving part only lasting about 10 minutes. Traffic police seem to fail people randomly and with little explanation. Rumours that a cap exists on the number of people who can pass in one day have never been confirmed. Before getting that far, you’ll have to get a learning permit. Applications can be obtained from the Traffic Police Licensing Department, which need to be filed with your usual essential documents, the results of your eye test (done by the Traffic Police in-house) and Dhs40.
Once that’s done, you can approach the Emirates Driving Company – 40 30-minute lessons are fairly standard, and it costs Dhs35 to open a file. When you’re deemed ready, you may apply for a test date – expect it to be months in the future. You’ll need to pass three tests; a written test (10 out of 10 is mandatory), an internal test (nothing medical, as the name suggests – just a demonstration of your parking abilities) and a road test. If you’re successful, your certificate can be exchanged for a permanent licence at the Traffic Police Licensing Department.
How to pass
The language barrier is one problem that many people encounter. If you cannot understand your instructor, request another one. During the test, make an obvious head movement towards the rear-view mirror to show the examiner you are actually checking behind you. Finally, try to practise in a variety of different cars. The test car will have a different clutch (if manual) and brakes to your learner car. The quicker you get used to driving different cars, the easier the test will be.
Buying a used car
There are now a large number of reputable dealers selling quality vehicles at a reasonable price. Whoever you buy from, do your homework. Check the Gulf News classifieds to get an idea of local market value. Insist on a decent warranty and try to get the garage to include a service or check-up in the price. Avoid buying privately until you know the market better. It is very easy to get ripped off. If you do buy from a dealer, consider getting the car you like checked by an independent specialist. Right-hand drive cars cannot legally be driven in the UAE. Al Futtaim Automall (02 673 3504; www.al-futtaim.com) is an institution across the UAE, a one-stop shop dealing in a massive range of vehicles. There are also a number of shops around Maqta Bridge and along Airport Road. These dealers make registration and insurance very easy, though you can expect to pay handsomely for these services.
Registering your vehicle
In order to legally drive your car, it must be registered in your name. Dealers will do this for you, but if you buy from a private seller you will have to do it yourself. You and the seller of the vehicle will have to visit the Traffic Police (02 419 6666; www.adpolice.gov.ae), where a test for roadworthiness will be performed and certification issued.
You will need: copies of your passport, valid residence visa and UAE driving licence; a letter from your work confirming that you are an employee (this is legally required but hardly ever asked for); valid insurance (for one year). The seller needs to bring the registration card and copies of their passport and residency visa. The seller also needs to settle any fines held by the car (you can go to www.adpolice.gov.ae and enter the registration number to check they have done this beforehand).
Renting a car
Long-term, buying tends to make most financial sense, but it can be a weight around the neck of those unsure of their new surroundings. Renting is a good option for anyone finding their feet, and means no hassle with car repairs, depreciation or running costs. If you go with a smaller company, make sure you read the small print. Most of the small renters are reputable, but you do need to make sure you know what you’re signing for.
As with anywhere else in the world, make sure you check the car thoroughly before accepting it. If it has a scratch and you do not identify it, it will be charged to your card when you return the car. Make sure it has a good spare tyre and that all of its instruments work. Again, anything not highlighted may be charged to you later. Insurance cover in the event of an accident can vary considerably from company to company, so it’s best to check. Remember, you are new to the roads of Abu Dhabi, and road virgins are usually the first to get into difficulties.
If you don’t find the idea of driving around in a whopping great billboard too offensive, Inmotion (02 558 3399; www.inmotion.ae) have an outlet offering cars for hire for a ridiculously cheap Dhs10 per day. The catches are threefold: you can’t take the car beyond city limits, you must travel a minimum of 30km in the car every day and, er… it will be spray painted with an outlandish advert. Eye-catching doesn’t even come close (seriously, wear shades), but when a car is available for less than pocket change, who’s complaining?
Car rental firms
Most major hire companies have offices at the airport and at hotels. Drivers must be aged over 21 to hire a small car, or 25 for a medium (two-litre) or larger 4×4 vehicle. Prices range from Dhs75 per day for a small manual car, to Dhs1,000 for something like a Lexus LS430. Monthly fees start at around Dhs1,800 for a smaller car. Motorbikes are not available for hire in the UAE. You will need: a UAE driving licence (if you are an Abu Dhabi resident, your national driving licence if not); passport (plus copy); a credit card.
Accidents
In the event of an accident, you may find yourself intimidated by a suddenly very alien city and road users who slow down for a good gawp. Keep your head, however. Firstly, call Abu Dhabi Police to the scene. Insurance companies will not pay out without seeing an accident report.
When the traffic cop arrives, he will judge who was to blame. Keep calm and state your case clearly and politely. Very few of the city’s traffic policemen speak English well, which can put you at a disadvantage if you don’t speak Arabic (and even more so if the other driver does). A green form will absolve you of responsibility and should be taken to your insurance company. A pink form puts the blame at your door; the other driver can then charge their repairs to your insurer.
The policy on moving cars after an accident remains a little unclear. In theory, after a minor prang in which no one was hurt, cars can be moved away from traffic. But most drivers will not move their cars, for fear of weakening their imminent argument with the Abu Dhabi Police agent.
Repairs
It’s a given that you won’t get very far following an accident. You’ll make even less progress without a police report, which needs to be obtained regardless of the scale of the incident. Once you have the necessary paperwork, you can take your vehicle for treatment. Your insurance company may have a special relationship with a specific garage, but any of the following come recommended.
Abu Dhabi Motors
(02 340 0644) Open Sat-Thu 8am-6pm. Coming from Abu Dhabi, take the first right after Maqta Bridge. This reputable company also sells new and used motors.
Al Habtoor Royal
(02 555 3344) Open Sat-Wed 8am-1pm, 2pm-5.30pm; Thu 8am-1pm. A high-end garage who will be there for you should you prang your Roller. Specialising in Mitusbishi, Bentley, Aston Martin and Rolls Royce.
Al Mazroui & Clevy
(02 555 4589) Open daily, 8am-1pm, 3pm-6pm If you’ve got a sick motor, take it to Al Mazroui (though they request that you call first to make sure it’s within their field of experience). Located in Mussafah, area 30.
Insurance
Generally, the insurance offered by car dealers and rental firms is pretty competitive. If you want to shop around, you could ring AXA (800 4845; www.ax-gulf.com), RSA (02 635 1800; www.rsagroup.ae), or Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (02 626 4000; www.adnic.ae). Whatever your decision, ask whether the deal covers the entire region or just the UAE. Insurance restricted to the UAE will be cheaper, but many expats take up desert driving and diving as hobbies, which lead them further afield. The borders between the UAE and Oman are often not signposted, and it’s incredibly easy to stray into a neighbouring country. If you are under 25 or have only held a driving licence for a short time, you are likely to find your insurance premium will shoot through the roof, or the company will only give third party cover.
Petrol stations
Petrol is cheap, and most tanks can be filled for less than Dhs60. There are 24-hour petrol stations on all major highways. Most petrol stations also have convenience stores selling snacks and drinks.
Parking
From October 2009, parking metres have been operating around the city in the hope that some of the extraordinary congestion might be relieved. With the exception of Fridays and public holidays, the metres will charge Dhs3 per hour on main streets, Dhs2 everywhere else. Annual permits can be purchased from the Department of Transport (02 505 3311; www.transportabudhabi.ae) costing Dhs800 for one car and Dhs1,200 for two. Abuse of the system will result in a fine of Dhs200 and three points on your licence; Dhs1,000 and four points if you’re caught parking in a place intended for an emergency vehicle.
Public transport
Taxis
Unless you own a car, the most effective way to get around town is by taxi. While not always cheerful, taxis are extremely cheap and plentiful, falling into two categories: silver and white. The silver cars are well maintained and heavily regulated by the Department of Transport. Flagfall is Dhs3, plus Dhs1.50 per kilometre (20 per cent more expensive after 10pm), and receipts are available on request at the end of your journey. Alternatively, the white cabs are a law unto themselves. Officially, they charge a cheaper fare, though few ever bother to operate their metres (asking the driver to switch it on sometimes works, though it can also prompt his immediate departure). Be prepared to haggle, and don’t expect any concessions to hygiene or safety (asking if there is a seatbelt will generally prompt ribald laughter). Neither colour of cab will guarantee a smooth journey, however. Make sure you have a well-known landmark for the driver to aim for: the city lacks a formal address system, so general vicinities are the best you can hope for.
Bus
Abu Dhabi’s bus system, known as Orja, is still in its infancy, but its first year proved a tremendous success with nine service routes currently in operation and more on the horizon. Route details are available at www.orja.ae, but as a general overview, routes five, seven, eight and nine traverse the width of the city (with a terminal at Marina Mall), while 32, 34, 44, 52 and 54 operate across the length of the island (with a terminal in either Zayed Sports City or the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque). A single journey costs Dhs1, an Orja day pass is Dhs3, while an Orja monthly pass costs Dhs40 (passengers over 60, or with special needs travel free). Intercity buses run between Abu Dhabi Bus Station (02 443 1500), Dubai, Sharjah and Al Ain. There is no fixed schedule, and the standard of vehicle can vary between extreme luxury and prison bus. Which one you end up on seems entirely down to luck. Bizarrely, a ticket to Dubai from Abu Dhabi will cost you Dhs20, but the opposite journey costs five dirhams less. There are no return tickets. Abu Dhabi to Sharjah is Dhs25; Al Ain, Dhs10. The journey can take anywhere between one hour 45 minutes and three hours. Operating a bus in the UAE is not an exact science.
Ferry
Abu Dhabi’s Mina Zayed Port is largely reserved for the fishery and shipping industries. However, plans to operate high speed passenger ferries between the capital, Bahrain, Doha and possibly southern Iran were announced in August 2009, with a possible launch in early 2010. Visit www.dot.abudhabi.ae for more info.
Air
The city’s international airport is located 32km outside of the city, to the left of the Dubai-Abu Dhabi highway as you approach the island. A taxi into town will cost about Dhs60. It has been in operation since 1982, serving as a vital hub for long-distance international careers. The three terminals have Wi-Fi throughout, free to all travellers, as well as the usual coffee outlets and a handful of money exchange booths. While the size of the airport is not as big as many international airports, it currently services approximately 30 airlines, providing direct flights as far afield as Sydney and Toronto.
