alexalexa

Hi, I have a few questions about driving in the UAE.

First of all, is it possible to buy a portable navigation system for Dubai and Abu Dhabi and which one would you recommend and where can I get it? (I am looking for a really good one.)

Is it easy to rent automatic cars and buy them there (I can't drive stick)?

Is there a website or a booklet with the driving and parking rules of the UAE?

Should I (I am only used to drive in the States) take a few driving classes at the beginning or how did the ones of you, who are not that confident when driving manage at the beginning in Dubai?

I will have to house and job hunt in October, my husband will be working and might be even on business travel... How did you do it at the beginning (cab, bus, drove yourself...)?

PS: Pls don't try to scare me even more by telling me how dangerous it is there. A while ago I searched for the highway from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, I wanted to find a map, and all I found on the Internet were scarry pictures of terrible accidents

Madam Medusa

there are sat nav systems, but i know that they can be a bit dodgy and take you on some weird routes...

my advice is to get in a car as soon as possible after you arrive, go out on a friday when it's quieter to get your confidence...

there aren't any parking or driving rules here, so no book, lol...

and i think most cars here are automatic...

MM, xx

Opponent

Driving isnt that bad to be honest. Have been driving for a couple of weeks. There are a few idiots on the road mostly taxi drivers.

Navigation isnt too bad either. I use the Garmin one with the latest map for the middle east version 5 (released this year). It takes me on the right route 90% of the time. But given the pace of development here even that map is slightly out of date.

And like the other poster said most if not all cars are automatic

MataHari

yeah...just go and drive straight away...the longer you put it off the harder it becomes...it's fun most of the times...you can get away with anything...sort of

Kim67

I use the Garmin sat nav as well and it's okay, probably best you'll get with the roads changing so rapidly. The problem is actually getting an address from someone so you can program your sat nav - they're not into giving addresses in Dubai. Driving isn't too bad once you get used to it - you've just got to bite the bullet and go, the first week I was here I just drove to the local shop and back, but the last three weeks, have been forced to take the kids to school and go househunting, so have been driving everywhere and it's fine.

Autonomy

I'd forget the sat nav. It's not that hard to find your way around. Just get driving asap.... I found it weird for a bit, but you get used to it quick I think.

someone in al ain

would say the same

alexalexa

Thank you so much for your answers.

Is the Garmin a portable navigation system, which means that I could buy it right away when I arrive and put it in the rental car and then in the car I buy or does it need to be built in?

Where can I buy it? (I will stay in Dubai Marina next to the Marina yacht club and Mall.) How much is it?

Opponent

Its portable and Jacky's sell it. They are in the Mall of the emirates and possibly in the IBN Mall. I think it costs 1000 Aed.