RTA Dubai Driving Theory Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A newly purchased second-hand vehicle in Dubai has a Salik tag from the previous owner. What should the new owner do?

Cover the old tag with tape until the account balance is used up
Remove the old tag and apply for a new Salik account and tag in their own name (Correct answer)
Continue using the existing tag — it automatically transfers to the new owner
Report the tag to RTA and drive without one until a new one arrives

Correct answer: Remove the old tag and apply for a new Salik account and tag in their own name

Salik accounts are linked to individuals, not vehicles. The new owner must register their own Salik account and obtain a new tag. Using the previous owner's tag could result in tolls being deducted from the wrong person's account and potential legal complications.

Question 2: A white painted curb generally indicates:

Passenger loading and unloading only (Correct answer)
No parking at any time
Emergency vehicles only
Handicapped parking

Correct answer: Passenger loading and unloading only

A white curb designates a passenger loading zone where vehicles may stop briefly to drop off or pick up passengers.

Question 3: When your vehicle becomes disabled on a freeway at night, where should you stand while waiting for assistance?

Behind the vehicle to direct traffic around it
In front of the vehicle near the engine
On the grass or embankment well away from traffic (Correct answer)
Inside the vehicle with the seatbelt fastened

Correct answer: On the grass or embankment well away from traffic

Standing outside the vehicle near traffic is extremely dangerous at night; moving far off the roadway provides the greatest safety.

Question 4: You are driving on a multi-lane highway in Dubai and see a blue circular sign with a white arrow pointing straight ahead. What does this sign mean?

You are approaching a one-way street.
Overtaking is allowed from either side.
An exit is coming up soon.
You must proceed straight ahead only; no turns are permitted. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: You must proceed straight ahead only; no turns are permitted.

In the UAE, blue circular signs are mandatory signs, meaning they indicate an action that must be followed. A white arrow pointing straight ahead means that all traffic in that lane must proceed straight, and turning left or right is not allowed.

Question 5: On which of the following major routes would a driver in Dubai typically encounter a Salik gate?

Al Ain Road (E66) within Dubai
Hatta Road (E44)
Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) (Correct answer)
Dubai–Sharjah border crossing

Correct answer: Sheikh Zayed Road (E11)

Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), the main arterial highway through Dubai, has multiple Salik toll gates. Al Ain Road and Hatta Road do not have Salik gates. The Dubai–Sharjah crossing is a different border checkpoint, not a Salik point.

Question 6: What is the BAC (blood alcohol content) limit for standard (non-commercial) drivers in most U.S. states?

0.10%
0.04%
0.06%
0.08% (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 0.08%

The legal BAC limit for non-commercial drivers in all U.S. states is 0.08%.

Question 7: Which of the following best describes the road surface condition during the first 10-20 minutes of rainfall after a long dry period?

The road is extremely slippery due to a mixture of water, oil, and dust. (Correct answer)
The road has the most grip because the water fills in cracks and potholes.
The road is cleanest because the initial rain washes away all debris.
The road is safest as the water provides extra tire cooling.

Correct answer: The road is extremely slippery due to a mixture of water, oil, and dust.

During dry spells, oil, grease, and dust accumulate on the road. The first rain mixes with this residue, creating a slick, greasy film that is far more slippery than after it has been raining for some time and the surface has been washed clean.

Question 8: A pennant-shaped sign is used exclusively to indicate which of the following?

Divided highway begins
School zone ahead
No passing zone (Correct answer)
No U-turn zone

Correct answer: No passing zone

The pennant (triangular) shape is reserved solely for 'No Passing Zone' signs placed on the left side of the road.

Question 9: When driving in heavy rain and your wipers cannot keep the windshield clear, you should:

Continue at normal speed with hazard lights on
Speed up to get through the rain faster
Pull off the road safely and wait for conditions to improve (Correct answer)
Turn on your high beams for better visibility

Correct answer: Pull off the road safely and wait for conditions to improve

If visibility is too poor to drive safely, pulling off the road and waiting is the safest option.

Question 10: When driving in heavy rain, you should increase your following distance to at least:

1 second
2 seconds
4 seconds (Correct answer)
6 seconds

Correct answer: 4 seconds

In heavy rain, stopping distances increase significantly, so a following distance of at least 4 seconds is recommended.

Question 11: You are approaching a roundabout. A large truck is in the lane to your left and is signaling to enter the roundabout. What potential hazard should you be most aware of?

The truck's brake lights might not be working correctly.
The truck will accelerate quickly and cut you off.
Debris may fall from the truck as it turns.
The truck may need more space and swing wide, potentially encroaching on your lane. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The truck may need more space and swing wide, potentially encroaching on your lane.

Large vehicles like trucks have a wider turning radius. When navigating a roundabout, they often need to use more than one lane to complete the turn. A defensive driver should anticipate that the truck might swing wide and leave extra space to avoid a collision.

Question 12: When two lanes merge into one due to a lane ending, proper zipper merge etiquette requires:

Using both lanes until the merge point and alternating turns (Correct answer)
The faster vehicle takes priority
Moving to the open lane as soon as possible
The lane that is ending always yields immediately

Correct answer: Using both lanes until the merge point and alternating turns

The zipper merge technique — using both lanes to the merge point and alternating one by one — is the most efficient and safest approach endorsed by traffic engineers.

Question 13: While driving in heavy rain, your visibility is reduced. Which of the following is the most appropriate combination of actions to ensure safety?

Turn on your hazard lights and maintain the speed limit.
Turn on your high-beam headlights and tailgate the vehicle in front.
Reduce your speed, turn on your low-beam headlights, and increase your following distance. (Correct answer)
Pull over to the hard shoulder immediately and wait for the rain to stop.

Correct answer: Reduce your speed, turn on your low-beam headlights, and increase your following distance.

In poor weather like heavy rain, you must make your vehicle more visible to others and give yourself more time to react. Reducing speed, using low-beam headlights (high beams can reflect off the rain and worsen visibility), and increasing the gap to the car in front are essential defensive driving techniques for these conditions. Using hazard lights while moving is often against regulations and can be confusing to other drivers.

Question 14: Your vehicle's accelerator pedal gets stuck while you are driving, causing the car to continue accelerating. What is the recommended sequence of actions to handle this emergency?

Honk the horn continuously and try to swerve onto the hard shoulder.
Shift the transmission to Neutral (N), apply the brakes firmly, and steer to a safe location. (Correct answer)
Repeatedly pump the accelerator pedal, then use the parking brake.
Turn the engine off immediately, then apply the brakes.

Correct answer: Shift the transmission to Neutral (N), apply the brakes firmly, and steer to a safe location.

Shifting to Neutral immediately disconnects the engine's power from the wheels, which is the most critical step to stop the unwanted acceleration. This allows you to safely use the brakes to slow down and steer to the side of the road without fighting against the engine. Turning the engine off while the car is moving at high speed can lock the steering wheel and disable power brakes and steering.

Question 15: An orange sign with black lettering that reads 'ROAD WORK AHEAD' belongs to which sign category?

Guide signs
Regulatory signs
Warning signs
Temporary traffic control signs (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Temporary traffic control signs

Orange signs with black lettering are temporary traffic control (construction zone) signs, alerting drivers to work zones.

Question 16: When parking on a downhill slope without a curb, you should turn your front wheels:

To the right (toward the road edge) (Correct answer)
Straight ahead
To the left (toward traffic)
In whichever direction feels natural

Correct answer: To the right (toward the road edge)

Turning wheels to the right on a downhill with no curb ensures that if the vehicle rolls, it will move away from traffic.

Question 17: You are approaching a roundabout and see a triangular 'Give Way' sign. What is the legally required action?

Come to a complete stop before entering the roundabout.
Give priority to traffic already in the roundabout, and proceed when it is safe. (Correct answer)
Honk your horn to alert drivers in the roundabout of your intention to enter.
Enter the roundabout without stopping if it is clear.

Correct answer: Give priority to traffic already in the roundabout, and proceed when it is safe.

The inverted triangle 'Give Way' sign requires drivers to give priority to traffic already circulating within the roundabout. You must slow down or stop if necessary and wait for a safe gap before entering.

Question 18: What should a driver do when approaching a flashing red traffic signal?

Treat it as a yield sign
Come to a rolling stop if no cars are present
Slow down and proceed with caution
Stop completely, then proceed when safe (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Stop completely, then proceed when safe

A flashing red light must be treated the same as a stop sign — come to a complete stop before proceeding when it is safe.

Question 19: Which policy approach aims to integrate multiple transit modes so passengers can transfer seamlessly with a single fare?

Peak surcharge policy
Intermodal integration or seamless connectivity (Correct answer)
Zone-based fare isolation
Mode-specific pricing

Correct answer: Intermodal integration or seamless connectivity

Intermodal integration links bus, rail, ferry, and other modes under unified fares and coordinated schedules to reduce transfer friction.

Question 20: What is the recommended hand position on the steering wheel for optimal control?

9 and 3 o'clock (Correct answer)
10 and 2 o'clock
One hand at the top
8 and 4 o'clock

Correct answer: 9 and 3 o'clock

Modern safety guidelines recommend the 9 and 3 o'clock position for best control and to avoid airbag injuries.

Question 21: Which type of license endorsement is required to legally operate a motorcycle on public roads?

Class A CDL
Passenger endorsement
Motorcycle endorsement (M) (Correct answer)
Hazardous materials endorsement

Correct answer: Motorcycle endorsement (M)

A motorcycle endorsement (M) must be added to a standard driver's license to legally operate a motorcycle.

Question 22: A driver is attempting to reverse out of a perpendicular parking spot in a busy car park. What is the MOST important action they should take?

Assume other drivers will see them and stop.
Reverse quickly to minimize time spent in the lane.
Continuously check all mirrors and blind spots, and reverse slowly. (Correct answer)
Only look in the rearview mirror.

Correct answer: Continuously check all mirrors and blind spots, and reverse slowly.

Safety is paramount when reversing. Due to limited visibility when backing out of a perpendicular spot, the driver must proceed slowly and cautiously. It is essential to continuously check the rearview mirror, side mirrors, and blind spots (by looking over the shoulder) for pedestrians and other vehicles.

Question 23: When parallel parking on a two-way street, your vehicle should be positioned:

Facing oncoming traffic for better visibility
Angled at 45 degrees to the curb
Facing the direction of traffic on the nearest lane (Correct answer)
Facing any direction as long as you are close to the curb

Correct answer: Facing the direction of traffic on the nearest lane

When parallel parking on a two-way street, your wheels must be within 18 inches of the curb and you must face the direction of traffic.

Question 24: A broken yellow curb marking generally indicates:

No parking, but stopping to load or unload is permitted
Parking is restricted during certain hours (Correct answer)
No stopping at any time
Parking is always permitted

Correct answer: Parking is restricted during certain hours

A broken yellow curb typically indicates time-restricted parking, with specific hours posted on nearby signs.

Question 25: What is the correct response when an emergency vehicle with lights and siren approaches from behind?

Pull to the right and stop (Correct answer)
Maintain speed and move to the left lane
Brake hard and stop in your current lane
Speed up to clear the road faster

Correct answer: Pull to the right and stop

Drivers must pull to the right edge of the road and stop to allow emergency vehicles an unobstructed path.

Question 26: What does a flashing red traffic light indicate?

Proceed with caution
Slow down but do not stop
Stop completely and proceed when safe (Correct answer)
Ignore it if the intersection is clear

Correct answer: Stop completely and proceed when safe

A flashing red traffic light functions identically to a stop sign. Drivers must come to a complete stop before the intersection, yield to any cross-traffic or pedestrians, and only proceed when it is entirely safe and clear to do so. This ensures safety at intersections where a full stop is required, often due to specific conditions or a malfunctioning signal.

Question 27: You approach an intersection and notice a driver in the cross street is not slowing down despite a red light. What should you do?

Cover the brake and prepare to yield even though you have right of way (Correct answer)
Honk and accelerate through the intersection
Proceed since you have a green light
Come to a complete stop and wait for police

Correct answer: Cover the brake and prepare to yield even though you have right of way

Covering your brake and being ready to yield protects you even when you legally have the right of way against a potential red-light runner.

Question 28: When driving in fog, you should keep your speed:

Low enough to stop within the distance you can see ahead (Correct answer)
Slightly above normal to spend less time in the fog
At the posted speed limit regardless of visibility
Matched to the speed of other vehicles around you

Correct answer: Low enough to stop within the distance you can see ahead

Your stopping distance must always be within the range of your visible sight distance to avoid hitting unseen obstacles.

Question 29: You are driving at night when an oncoming vehicle fails to dim its high beams. What should you do?

Steer toward the center lane to avoid the glare
Stop in your lane until the vehicle passes
Look toward the right edge of the road and slow down (Correct answer)
Flash your high beams repeatedly to signal the other driver

Correct answer: Look toward the right edge of the road and slow down

Looking toward the right edge of the road prevents temporary blindness from the glare while keeping you on track to continue safely.

Question 30: Under the RTA's public parking system in Dubai (excluding special zones and holidays), what is the regulation for paid parking timings in most commercial areas (e.g., Zone A)?

Paid parking is enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Parking is free after 6:00 PM and on Fridays.
Paid parking is from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Monday to Saturday. (Correct answer)
Parking is only paid during peak business hours (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM).

Correct answer: Paid parking is from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Monday to Saturday.

In most commercial parking zones in Dubai, such as Zone A (side parking), paid parking is in effect from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, from Monday to Saturday. Parking is typically free on Sundays and public holidays.

Question 31: Which of the following is TRUE about driving in very hot weather?

Engine cooling systems are unaffected by extreme ambient temperatures
Tire blowouts are more likely due to increased air pressure and heat expansion (Correct answer)
Hot pavement improves tire grip significantly
Brakes perform better in extreme heat

Correct answer: Tire blowouts are more likely due to increased air pressure and heat expansion

High temperatures cause tire air to expand and can weaken the rubber, increasing the risk of a blowout.

Question 32: In a two-lane roundabout, a driver intending to take the first exit (turning left/short distance) should approach in:

Either lane — no rule applies in roundabouts
The left (inner) lane
The lane closest to the central island
The right (outer) lane (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The right (outer) lane

When taking the first exit or turning right at a roundabout, drivers should use the outer (right) lane on approach and remain in it throughout. The inner lane is used for exits further around the roundabout (second exit onward), reducing the need to cross lanes while circulating.

Question 33: When a traffic signal is completely dark (no lights working), how should a driver treat the intersection?

Only emergency vehicles may proceed
Yield to all traffic approaching from the right
Treat it as a four-way stop (Correct answer)
Proceed through at normal speed

Correct answer: Treat it as a four-way stop

A dark traffic signal must be treated as a four-way stop, with drivers stopping and yielding in turn.

Question 34: While driving, you approach a triangular sign with a red border depicting a traffic light symbol inside. What does this sign indicate?

You must stop at the next traffic light, regardless of its color.
There is a traffic signal ahead, which may not be immediately visible. (Correct answer)
You have priority over traffic from other directions.
The traffic lights at the next intersection are out of order.

Correct answer: There is a traffic signal ahead, which may not be immediately visible.

Warning signs in the UAE are typically triangular with a red border. A traffic light symbol inside one of these signs serves as an advanced warning that you are approaching a traffic signal, which is especially useful when visibility is poor or the signal is located after a curve.

Question 35: Which of the following best describes a prohibitory sign in the UAE?

A triangular sign with a red border, warning of potential hazards.
An octagonal red sign that requires you to come to a complete stop.
A circular sign, typically with a red border, indicating an action that is not allowed. (Correct answer)
A blue rectangular sign, providing directional information.

Correct answer: A circular sign, typically with a red border, indicating an action that is not allowed.

Prohibitory signs in the UAE are used to forbid certain actions. They are usually circular with a white background, a red border, and a black symbol indicating the prohibited action, such as 'No U-turn' or 'No Overtaking'.

Question 36: When parallel parking on a downhill slope with a curb, which direction should the front wheels be turned?

Away from the curb
Toward the curb (Correct answer)
Straight ahead
It does not matter

Correct answer: Toward the curb

When parking downhill with a curb, turn the front wheels toward the curb so the car rolls into the curb if the brakes fail.

Question 37: A driver is circulating in the inner lane of a multi-lane roundabout. As they approach their exit, they should:

Check mirrors and signal right, then move to the outer lane when it is safe, then exit (Correct answer)
Immediately cross to the outer lane when the exit is visible
Continue around the roundabout again and re-approach in the outer lane
Exit directly from the inner lane across the outer lane without signalling

Correct answer: Check mirrors and signal right, then move to the outer lane when it is safe, then exit

The driver must check mirrors, signal their intention to move to the outer lane, confirm it is clear, then make the lane change safely before exiting. Crossing lanes without checking risks a side collision with a vehicle already in the outer lane.

RTA Dubai Driving Theory Exam

The Roads and Transport Authority driving theory exam tests candidates on UAE traffic rules, road signs, safe driving practices, hazard perception, and vehicle licensing requirements.

Questions

45 min

Time Limit

65%

To Pass

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These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

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rta.ae — Eligibility, fees, exam format, passing score, retake policy · verified Oct 2026