Most drivers think of speed limits as a maximum. In the UAE, some roads also have a minimum speed, usually for the fast lanes of a highway, to stop slow vehicles blocking traffic flow. The federal fine for driving below a posted minimum speed is Dh400.
Only where a sign says so
The rule applies to “the minimum speed limit set for the road, if any”. No sign, no minimum. Where a minimum exists it is usually posted per lane, often in blue.
The E311 minimum is gone
For years the two left lanes of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road (E311) in Abu Dhabi had a 120 km/h minimum. It was removed in April 2025. In September 2026 a 6 km section of the same road was lowered to a 100 km/h maximum — a good example of why yesterday’s rule of thumb is today’s fine.
Slow is not always safe
Driving far below the traffic flow in a fast lane creates the sudden lane changes and braking that cause accidents. Keep right unless overtaking, and match the flow within the limit.
