RTA Lane Discipline and Overtaking Rules — Questions and Answers
Question 1: On a UAE motorway, the right-hand lane is designated as the:
- Fast lane for overtaking only
- Slow lane for slower-moving vehicles (Correct answer)
- Emergency vehicles lane
- Lane for heavy goods vehicles only
Correct answer: Slow lane for slower-moving vehicles
UAE follows the same convention as most countries: keep left (or, in UAE's right-hand traffic system, keep right). The rightmost lane is the slow or 'travelling' lane. Drivers should return to the right lane after overtaking — using the left lanes only to pass slower vehicles.
Question 2: A continuous (solid) white line between two lanes of traffic travelling in the same direction means:
- Overtaking is permitted when the road ahead is clear
- Lane changing and overtaking are prohibited at that point (Correct answer)
- The left lane has higher speed priority
- The marking is purely decorative and advisory
Correct answer: Lane changing and overtaking are prohibited at that point
A solid white line between lanes indicates that crossing the line is prohibited — drivers must not change lanes or overtake at that location. It marks areas where merging would be unsafe, such as near intersections, tunnels, or on blind curves.
Question 3: Overtaking on the right side of another vehicle on a UAE multi-lane road is:
- Always illegal regardless of circumstances
- Legal if the vehicle being overtaken is turning left
- Permitted when traffic is moving slowly in all lanes and the right lane is moving faster (Correct answer)
- Only permitted for motorcycles
Correct answer: Permitted when traffic is moving slowly in all lanes and the right lane is moving faster
In slow-moving, congested multi-lane traffic where all lanes are moving, filtering in a faster-moving right lane is generally acceptable. However, deliberate overtaking on the right of a vehicle that is moving freely (i.e., cutting inside) remains illegal and dangerous.
Question 4: What is the minimum speed limit typically enforced on UAE inter-city highways in the absence of other signs?
- 40 km/h
- 60 km/h (Correct answer)
- 80 km/h
- 100 km/h
Correct answer: 60 km/h
UAE inter-city highways typically enforce a minimum speed of 60 km/h to prevent slow-moving vehicles from obstructing traffic flow and creating rear-end collision risks. Driving significantly below the flow of traffic is a traffic offence on highways.
Question 5: In which of the following situations is overtaking STRICTLY PROHIBITED in the UAE?
- On a straight road with a clear view of oncoming traffic for 200 m
- When the vehicle ahead is travelling 20 km/h below the speed limit
- At pedestrian crossings, intersections, and near the brow of a hill (Correct answer)
- On a four-lane dual carriageway with a central reservation
Correct answer: At pedestrian crossings, intersections, and near the brow of a hill
Overtaking is prohibited at pedestrian crossings (to protect crossing pedestrians), at or near intersections (where turning movements create conflict), and near hilltops or blind bends (where visibility of oncoming traffic is restricted). These are specific prohibitions under UAE traffic law.
Question 6: After completing an overtaking manoeuvre on a single carriageway road, a driver should return to the right (normal) lane:
- Immediately, even if this forces the overtaken vehicle to brake
- Only when well clear of the overtaken vehicle, with adequate space visible in the mirror (Correct answer)
- After travelling at least 500 m in the overtaking lane
- At the next available road marking permitting a lane change
Correct answer: Only when well clear of the overtaken vehicle, with adequate space visible in the mirror
Returning to the normal lane must be done safely — only when the overtaken vehicle is clearly visible in the rear-view mirror and there is sufficient space to move back without forcing the overtaken driver to reduce speed. Cutting in too soon is dangerous and constitutes aggressive driving.
RTA Lane Discipline and Overtaking Rules
On a UAE motorway, the right-hand lane is designated as the: