If you’ve been stressing about keeping up with the 120 km/h minimum speed on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road (E311), here’s some good news — Abu Dhabi has officially removed the rule. That means no more AED 400 fines just for driving a bit slower than that on the left lanes.
Abu Dhabi Mobility, the authority in charge of transport in the emirate, announced that the minimum speed requirement is no longer in effect. This change only affects E311, the major highway linking Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The rule had been introduced in April 2023 for the first two lanes from the left. If you were driving slower than 120 km/h there, you could be fined AED 400. The third lane, which is for heavy vehicles, was always exempt from the rule.
Now, with the rule gone, drivers no longer need to worry about keeping up a high minimum speed in those left lanes. If you prefer driving more slowly, just avoid the fast lanes on the left and stick to the right lanes. This helps traffic move smoothly and keeps you out of trouble.
However, the maximum speed limit stays at 140 km/h. That part hasn’t changed, and radars will still catch anyone going over it. It’s also worth remembering that Abu Dhabi doesn’t allow the 20 km/h “buffer” that exists in other parts of the UAE. If the limit is 140 km/h, going even 141 km/h could get you fined.
Besides the update on E311, two other highways in Abu Dhabi have seen speed changes too. As of April 14, 2025, the speed limits on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed International Road (E11) and Abu Dhabi–Sweihan Road (E20) have been reduced.
