The Language Barrier in the UAE
English is widely spoken throughout the UAE, although Arabic is the official language. There is a big expatriate community, and in addition to English, other languages spoken among expats are Hindi, Persian, Pashto, and Balochi. In most instances English will suffice, however it’s respected and well-received when expatriates take time to learn some basic Arabic.
Weather & Climate
The UAE is known for its hot weather; 80% of the region is desert, the majority of which is in the west. In the height of summer temperatures often reach above 40°C, and at the other end of the scale, in January the average temperature is 18°C.
Sometimes the UAE has excessive rainfall, but a more common concern when it comes to extreme weather is sand storms. These usually occur when the season changes, such as during the transition from winter to spring.
Health in the UAE
Visitors to the UAE are advised to see a GP before travel, to determine which – if any – vaccinations are required. MMR and Tetanus boosters are recommended if they are out of date, plus Diphtheria and Hepatitis A immunisations might be advised. People at high risk may be recommended Hepatitis B and Rabies medication as well.
Anyone over the age of 9 months who is arriving to the UAE from a country with a Yellow fever risk – if they have spent more than 12 hours there, including during an airport stopover – must present a Yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter the UAE.
Medical treatment in the UAE is chargeable, so it is imperative that you take out appropriate insurance to cover any fees.
British Embassy in the UAE
There are British embassies in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE.
| Address: | British Embassy Dubai Al Seef Road Bur Dubai Near to Dubai Creekside PO Box 65 Dubai UAE |
| Phone: | (+971) 4 309 4444 |
| Fax: | (+971) 4 309 4301 |
| Website: | https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-dubai |
| Office hours: | Local Time Sun-Thu: 07.30 – 14.30 |
| Address: | British Embassy Abu Dhabi Al Hisn Street Al Markaziyah West PO Box 248 Abu Dhabi UAE |
| Phone: | (+971) 2 610 1100 |
| Fax: | (+971) 2 610 1585 |
| Website: | https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-abu-dhabi |
| Office hours: | Local Time Sun-Thu: 07.30 – 14.30 |
Emergency Services Contact Information in the UAE
| Emergency Service | Contact Number |
| Police Service | 999 |
| Fire Service | 997 |
| Ambulance Service | 998 |
Driving while Living in the UAE
Driving in the UAE can present a huge learning curve. While there are comprehensive road laws and severe penalties in the region, drivers will find that many other road-users do not adhere to these. This means if you choose to drive you need to stay 100% aware of what’s going on around you, and be prepared to act accordingly. Things to look out for include unmarked speed bumps, shifting sand, and drivers in the inside lane travelling at speeds above 125mph (200km).
In the event of an accident, the vehicle should be left in position – apart from in Dubai or Abu Dhabi if doing so obstructs other traffic. UAE road law says that if someone is injured in an accident, the person at fault will immediately go to jail until the injured person leaves hospital. In the event of a death, the person who caused the accident will be ordered to pay a Diya to the victim’s family. The amount will be decided by a judge, but it can be upwards of £40,000.
Getting your Driving Licence
When first arriving in the UAE, you can use your UK driver’s license to drive a rental vehicle or a private vehicle – just make sure you are properly covered by the vehicle’s insurance. Those applying for residency in the UAE must obtain a UAE driving licence as soon as their residency permit is received. To apply for a driving licence, you must contact the relevant emirate’s traffic department. The following documents must be provided as part of the application process:
- Copy of passport and residence visa
- A copy and the original emirates ID card
- 2 passport-sized photos
- Eye test report
- (If relevant) a no objection letter from the sponsor
Legal Requirements
There is a zero-tolerance policy in the UAE when it comes to driving after having consumed alcohol – regardless of the quantity of alcohol. The penalty for such an offence is imprisonment plus a fine of around £4,200. In addition to this, it’s important to know that only those who have obtained a liquor licence are allowed to consume alcohol in the UAE – and these are only valid in the emirate where it was issued. Anyone who has consumed alcohol without a licence is liable to be imprisoned for six months, plus pay a fine of around £1,050.
Wearing a seatbelt is also mandatory, and the use of mobile phones while driving is strictly prohibited. Another legal obligation is the use of a Salik tag. These are stickers with an electronic chip in, which can be scanned at toll gates. Find out more about how Salik tags work, and how to obtain one.