WHEN PREPARING YOU ARRIVE TO GO
GETTING XXXXXXX AROUND Taxis are extremely well regulated and safe, and it’s entirely appropriate for women to take them alone at any time of the day or night, but if for religious or personal reasons you don’t want a male taxi driver, there is a fleet of ‘Ladies Taxis’ operating in the city, emblazoned with designs of pink flowers along the sides and a neon pink light on top – unmissable! They cost the same as normal taxis and can be flagged down or booked in advance. The priority is for solo female passengers, but they can also be used by men as long as they are with their families.
Driving
D
riving in Abu Dhabi should be fairly straightforward – in keeping with most countries, driving is on the right and the roads are constructed on a simple grid system. Unfortunately, Abu Dhabi’s questionable driving standards and ongoing roadworks (especially on Salam Street), coupled with the fact that many streets have more than one name, can make driving a nightmare. Abu Dhabi Police have a useful website (www. adpolice.gov.ae) which gives advice on driving and traffic violations, and also provides useful road maps.
The taxis are extremely well regulated and safe, and it’s entirely appropriate for women to take them alone at any time of the day or night.
Car rental
M
ost major car rental firms have outlets at the airport and many of the city’s hotels. You must be over 21 to hire a small car, or over 24 for larger vehicles (two litres and over). Prices vary, with the cheapest starting at around Dhs100 per day. To hire a vehicle, you’ll need your UAE driving licence (if you’re a resident; your licence from your country of origin if not), your passport, a passport photocopy and a credit card.
Swapping your licence
U
ntil you have your residency visa, you can drive on your licence from your country of origin, or an international licence from a country on the transfer list, which includes the UK, the US, Japan and Australia, as well as many European countries (contact the Traffic Police Licencing Department on 419 5555 for the full list). Once you have your full visa, you can apply for a UAE driving licence, and in fact it becomes illegal to continue driving without one. You’ll need to submit all the necessary documents to the Traffic Police Licensing Department. Abu Dhabi Police’s website and the government website (www.abudhabi.ae) have the full list of documents you’ll need to submit, as well as a list of prices. There’s also useful information on anything travel-related, from paying fines to registering a vehicle.
Unfortunately, Abu Dhabi’s questionable driving standards and ongoing roadworks, coupled with the fact that many streets have more than one name, can make driving a nightmare.
47 THE ESSENTIALS GUIDE ABU DHABI