UAE Road Signs
Complete Guide 2026
All UAE traffic signs explained โ warning, prohibitory, mandatory and guide signs with meanings, required actions and fine amounts. Road signs make up 25โ30% of the UAE theory test.
How to Read UAE Signs
Shape and Colour = Sign Type
Before you can read the text, the shape and colour of a UAE road sign tells you what kind of instruction it carries. Learn these four rules and you can decode any sign instantly.
WarningRed triangle โ hazard ahead
ProhibitoryRed border circle โ forbidden
MandatoryBlue circle โ must do this
GuideRectangle โ directions
Warning Signs
Triangular, red border โ a hazard lies ahead. Reduce speed and stay alert. Not commands but critical alerts.
Warning โ Triangle
General Hazard Warning
An unspecified danger lies ahead. A supplementary plate below may indicate the specific hazard type.
โ Reduce speed and proceed with caution
Warning โ Triangle
School Zone Ahead
Children may be crossing or a school entrance is nearby. Often has a fluorescent yellow-green background for maximum visibility.
โ Reduce to 40 km/h, watch carefully for children
Warning โ Triangle
Camel Crossing Warning
Camels or other animals may cross the road. Common on UAE desert highways between cities.
โ Slow down significantly, be ready to stop
Warning โ Triangle
Pedestrian Crossing Ahead
A marked crossing lies ahead. Pedestrians have the right of way โ failure to stop carries a serious fine.
โ Prepare to stop for pedestrians
Failing to stop: AED 500 + 6 Black PointsWarning โ Triangle
Sharp Bend Ahead
A sharp curve is approaching. The arrow inside the triangle indicates the direction of the bend.
โ Reduce speed before the bend
Warning โ Triangle
Slippery Road Ahead
Road surface may be slippery due to rain, sand or oil. Increase following distance and avoid sudden braking.
โ Increase following distance, brake gently
Warning โ Triangle
Road Works Ahead
Construction or maintenance work is in progress. Lane closures or narrowing may follow. Orange signs may supplement.
โ Reduce speed, follow temporary signage
Warning โ Triangle
Traffic Signals Ahead
Traffic lights are approaching โ placed before signals that may be difficult to see from a distance.
โ Be ready to stop if the signal is red
Prohibitory Signs
Circular, red border, white background โ legal commands. The action shown is forbidden. Violations carry fines and black points.
Prohibitory โ Red Circle
No Entry
Red circle with white horizontal bar. The road ahead is completely off-limits. Common at entry points of one-way streets to prevent wrong-way driving.
โ Do not enter under any circumstances
Fine: AED 600 + 4 Black PointsProhibitory โ Red Circle
Speed Limit
White circle with red border showing a number in km/h โ the maximum permitted speed on that road. Speed cameras enforce this strictly.
โ Do not exceed the stated speed
Fine varies by how much the limit is exceededProhibitory โ Red Circle
No U-Turn
U-turn symbol with a red diagonal slash through it. U-turns are prohibited at this specific location. Common near signals and where U-turns would be dangerous.
โ Continue straight or take the next legal turn
Fine: AED 400 + 3 Black PointsProhibitory โ Red Circle
No Overtaking
Two car silhouettes with a red diagonal slash. Passing or overtaking is forbidden here. Common near schools and on narrow or dangerous roads.
โ Stay behind the vehicle ahead
Fine: AED 600 + 6 Black PointsProhibitory โ Red Circle
No Right Turn
A right-turn arrow with a red diagonal slash through it. Turning right is prohibited at this junction โ follow the permitted direction only.
โ Do not turn right at this junction
Prohibitory โ Red Circle
No Left Turn
A left-turn arrow with a red diagonal slash through it. Turning left is prohibited at this junction โ follow the permitted direction only.
โ Do not turn left at this junction
Prohibitory โ Red Circle
No Heavy Vehicles
A truck silhouette with a red diagonal slash. Trucks and heavy vehicles are not permitted on this road. Used to protect road surfaces and residential areas.
โ Heavy vehicles must use an alternative route
Prohibitory โ Red Circle
No Horn Zone
Horn use is forbidden in this zone except in genuine emergencies. Common near hospitals, schools and residential areas.
โ Do not use your horn in this zone
Mandatory Signs
Circular, blue background, white symbol โ you must comply. These are legal requirements, not suggestions.
Mandatory โ Red Octagon
STOP Sign
Red octagon with white STOP text. All wheels must stop completely. Proceed only when the road is clear. Applies even when no traffic is visible.
โ Full stop required โ then proceed when safe
Not stopping: AED 500 + 6 Black PointsMandatory โ Inverted Triangle
Give Way (Yield)
Inverted red-bordered triangle. You must slow down and give priority to traffic on the main road. Stop completely if necessary before proceeding.
โ Yield to oncoming traffic โ stop if needed
Mandatory โ Blue Circle
Turn Right Only
Blue circle with white right-pointing arrow. You must turn right โ proceeding straight or left is not permitted at this junction.
โ Turn right only โ no other direction
Mandatory โ Blue Circle
Straight Ahead Only
Blue circle with upward white arrow. You must continue straight โ turning in any direction is not permitted at this point.
โ Continue straight โ no turns permitted
Mandatory โ Blue Circle
Keep Right
Blue circle with arrow pointing right. Drivers must pass to the right of an obstruction, traffic island or median. Common on UAE dual carriageways.
โ Pass to the right of the obstruction
Mandatory โ Blue Circle
Minimum Speed
Blue circle with a speed number in white. You must not drive slower than this speed. Driving too slowly on UAE freeways is illegal and dangerous.
โ Do not drive below this speed
Guide & Information Signs
Rectangular. Colour shows the route type โ blue for inter-emirate, green for local, brown for tourist attractions.
Guide โ Blue Rectangle
Inter-Emirate Route Signs
Blue rectangular signs indicate national and international routes connecting different emirates โ the main highways between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and other cities.
โ Follow for travel between emirates
Guide โ Green Rectangle
Local Road Signs
Green rectangular signs indicate intra-emirate roads โ routes within the same emirate directing to local destinations, city centres and neighbourhoods.
โ Follow for local destinations within the emirate
Guide โ Brown Rectangle
Tourist Attraction Signs
Brown rectangular signs direct drivers to tourist sites, heritage areas, museums and points of interest across the UAE.
โ Follow for tourist and heritage sites
Information โ White / Blue
Hospital / Airport / Services
Rectangular signs with internationally recognised symbols โ H for hospital, a plane for airport, a fuel pump for petrol stations. Guide drivers to essential services.
โ Follow in emergencies or when services are needed
Sign Violation Fines
Fines for Ignoring Road Signs
Test tip: The UAE theory test asks for exact fine amounts โ memorise these figures as they appear directly in exam questions.
| Violation | Fine (AED) | Black Points |
|---|---|---|
| Jumping a red traffic light | 1,000 | 12 BP |
| Entering a no-entry road | 600 | 4 BP |
| Illegal overtaking | 600 | 6 BP |
| Not giving way to pedestrians at crossing | 500 | 6 BP |
| Not stopping at STOP sign | 500 | 6 BP |
| Illegal U-turn | 400 | 3 BP |
FAQ
Road Signs โ Common Questions
How many road sign questions are in the UAE theory test?โ
Road signs make up approximately 25โ30% of the UAE theory test โ around 9โ14 questions. Focus especially on warning, prohibitory and mandatory signs as these form the majority of sign questions.
What is the difference between mandatory and prohibitory signs?โ
Mandatory signs (blue circle) tell you what you MUST do โ for example, turn right only or keep right. Prohibitory signs (red border circle) tell you what you must NOT do โ for example, no entry, no U-turn or no overtaking. Both are legal commands.
What shape are warning signs in the UAE?โ
Warning signs are triangular with a red border and a white or yellow background. The triangle means a hazard lies ahead โ reduce speed and be prepared for changed road conditions.
What do blue, green and brown road signs mean in the UAE?โ
Blue signs indicate inter-emirate routes connecting different emirates. Green signs mark local roads within the same emirate. Brown signs direct drivers to tourist attractions, heritage sites and points of interest.
What is the fine for running a red light in the UAE?โ
The fine for jumping a red traffic light in the UAE is AED 800 and 8 black points. This is one of the most serious traffic violations and is monitored by cameras across all emirates.