Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) tells motorists to prepare the vehicle before rain arrives, reduce speed, follow traffic rules and official guidance, and leave a bigger gap to the car in front. Wet roads lengthen braking distances and spray cuts visibility, so small habits make a real difference. If a warning has been issued, read our guide to UAE rain and unstable weather first.
The 60-second pre-trip check
| Check | Why it matters in rain | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | Worn tread grips wet tarmac poorly | Check depth and pressure |
| Brakes and lights | You need both to stop and be seen | Make sure both work properly |
| Wipers and washer fluid | Spray cuts visibility | Replace streaking blades and top up the fluid |
| Windows and mirrors | Clear glass is the first line of defence | Clean them, and allow extra travel time |
On the road
- Reduce speed and accelerate and brake gently.
- Slow down and increase your following distance.
- Avoid overtaking in heavy rain.
- Use low-beam headlights in poor visibility. Use hazard lights only in an emergency.
- Take care at junctions, where water mixes with oil and makes the surface slippery.
- Stay in your lane in tunnels, and avoid stopping on the road or near lane markings.
- After driving through deep water, test your brakes at low speed.
Imagine This: The Commute That Starts Wet
This driver is made up. Rain starts as he leaves for work. At the first junction he leaves a bigger gap, because water mixed with oil makes the surface slippery. He keeps to his lane in a tunnel, uses low beams, and avoids overtaking. After a shallow stretch of standing water he taps the brakes gently at low speed to check they still bite. The trip takes longer, but nothing in it was a risk.
Do not enter flooded roads or wadis
Water depth is hard to judge from the driver’s seat, and a car can stall or float in less than you expect. Entering a valley while water is flowing can bring a fine of AED 2,000, 23 black points and 60 days of vehicle impoundment. Do not use your phone or film the weather while driving.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use hazard lights in heavy rain?
Use low-beam headlights in poor visibility. Hazard lights are for emergencies only.
What if my car has been through deep water?
Test your brakes at low speed afterwards, and avoid pooled water in future.
Where to go next
For fines on the road, see our guide to paying Dubai Police fines, and for a car that ends up impounded, the Smart Impound guide.
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