UAE traffic signs follow the international Vienna Convention with localised additions. They fall into five categories: warning, prohibitory, mandatory, informational, and directional. Knowledge of these signs is required for the RTA theory test.
Warning signs (red triangle, white background)
- Curve ahead — slow down before bends.
- Pedestrian crossing — give way.
- School zone — children playing/crossing.
- Roundabout ahead — yield to traffic on roundabout.
- Dual carriageway ends — narrowing road.
- Slippery road — common after rain.
- Camels crossing — desert routes.
- Speed bump — slow ahead.
Prohibitory signs (red circle)
- No entry — solid red circle with horizontal white bar.
- No parking — blue circle with red diagonal line.
- No stopping — blue circle with red X (stricter than no parking).
- No overtaking — two cars (one red).
- Speed limit — number inside red circle.
- No horn (silent zone) — common around hospitals and schools.
- No U-turn — common at major intersections.
- No trucks — restricted hours on Sheikh Zayed Road.
Mandatory & informational signs
- Blue circles = mandatory action (e.g., turn left only, keep right).
- Green rectangles = motorway destinations and exits.
- Blue rectangles = highway directions in cities.
- White rectangles with brown = tourist attractions.
- Yellow rectangles = roadworks, temporary diversions.
- Variable Message Signs (VMS) on highways — display real-time info (jams, weather).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a red circle with a number mean?
Speed limit sign — the number is the maximum speed in km/h.
What's the difference between no parking and no stopping?
No parking allows brief stops to drop off passengers. No stopping forbids any halt at all, including stopping for passengers.
Are UAE traffic signs in English and Arabic?
Yes — most informational signs are bilingual. Symbols (warning/prohibitory/mandatory) are universal.
Where can I study UAE road signs for the test?
The RTA Dubai app has a free Theory Test mode with all signs. SDI app for Sharjah residents. Belhasa, Galadari and EDI also offer official sign packs.
Official sources: