Until recently, most expats living in the United Arab Emirates have had to obtain UAE driving licences or rely on public transport. Even if an expat had a valid driving licence in their country of origin, they were unable to use it in the UAE. Only licences from a small list of other nations (including the UK and the USA) were recognised in the UAE. Now, however, the Emirates’ authorities are relaxing the rules regarding expats’ driving licences. They have recently added 13 new countries to the list of nations whose driving licenses are valid in the UAE. If you’re an expat from one of these 13 countries, you no longer need to worry about obtaining a licence in order to drive in the UAE.

The 13 countries are wildly varied. China is included on the expanded list of nations with UAE-recognised driving licences. This isn’t surprising, considering that it’s one of the most powerful and economically influential countries in the world. Small-yet-wealthy nations have also been included (such as Denmark, Luxembourg and the Netherlands). Nations such as Latvia, Romania and Serbia, which have less economic clout on the global stage, are also represented. If you’re an expat and you’re not sure whether your driving licence is now recognised in the UAE, it’s worth looking up the full list.

But what does this change to the law meant for expats who already hold UAE driving licences? Obviously, their UAE licences will still be recognised, but they will also have the option of using the licence they obtained in their country of origin. This may be significant if they are licenced to drive more vehicles in their home country than in the UAE. For example, if an expat is only licenced to drive automatic cars in the UAE, but they have a licence for automatics and manuals back in their home country, they will now be able to drive manual cars in the UAE, too.

If you’re currently living in the UAE and want to start driving a type of vehicle that you were licenced to drive in your country of origin, we can help. We’re happy to buy any car, so you can sell us your current vehicle to raise money for the one you really want to drive.

The UAE is a wonderful place for fans of sports cars. The nation’s long, open roads and motorways have generous speed limits and beckon drivers with sleek, speedy cars to drive down them. The breathtaking vistas that surround these roads offer the perfect dramatic backdrop for driving. However, choosing the perfect sports car can be a challenge. Luckily, there will soon be a new option for drivers to consider: Bentley are planning to release a sporty new convertible.

You may not associate Bentley with sporting vehicles. You’re much more likely to imagine large, stately automotives when you think about this manufacturer. However, the luxury car company also offers faster, more lively cars. What’s more, it wants to release the sportiest car in its history next year. The upcoming 2019 Continental GT Convertible is designed to look both sleek and opulent while performing like a high-end sports car.

Bentley is currently testing its new GT Convertible to ensure that it performs impeccably. Based on the vehicle’s specs, we believe that performance should be very impressive. It uses the same powerful 6.0 litre engine as the manufacturer’s SUV, the ‘Bentayga’. Because it’s a much smaller, lighter vehicle, the 2019 Continental GT Convertible will be able to use that engine to accelerate much more quickly and travel at much higher speeds than the heavier Bentayga.

The convertible has an ample horsepower rating of 626bhp and provides 664lb-per-foot of torque. Its advanced drivetrain also ensures that engine-power is sent to all four wheels. While the convertible isn’t an all-terrain vehicle, this should help it cope on unconventional surfaces while also giving drivers a greater level of control over the car’s movement.

Of course, it’s worth remembering that the 2019 Continental GT Convertible won’t be available to the public until next year. There’s still time for Bentley to revise the vehicle’s specs or design. However, what we know so far seems promising.

If you’re interested in buying one of Bentley’s new sports cars, you may wish to consider selling your old car to get the cash you need. Here at Simply Car Buyers, we buy any car in the UAE, so get in touch with us today.

In July, 2017, Abu Dhabi amended its traffic laws in order to prohibit excessively noisy cars. The purpose of these laws was to limit noise pollution and make the Emirate’s streets quieter and more pleasant for both motorists and pedestrians. Our regular readers may remember that we discussed these anti-noise laws and how to avoid running afoul of them on this blog at the beginning of the year. Today, we’d like to bring you an important update regarding the impact these laws have had on the motoring community in Abu Dhabi.

The Abu Dhabi police service recently used its Twitter page to announce that over 600 drivers were penalised under the anti-noise pollution laws during the first three months of the year. Precisely 626 drivers were found to be in violation of the laws due to their overly loud vehicles. These motorists were each fined Dh2,000 and received 12 black points on their licences – you can’t have more than 24 black points on your licence in 12 months. Drivers in Abu Dhabi clearly need to be aware that the laws are being taken seriously and enforced vigorously by the local police force.

Although ordinary motorists need to keep the laws in mind, however, it’s important to note that they have mainly been used against deliberate offenders. The majority of the 626 people who have been penalised under the anti-pollution laws had deliberately modified their cars to increase the sound of the engine or exhaust. It seems that so far, the laws have been used to target inconsiderate drivers. By penalising these individuals, the laws may actually make the roads safer for the rest of the motoring community. After all, motorists who deliberately increase their cars’ noise pollution levels may also engage in unsafe driving practices. The anti-noise laws may help to encourage better behaviour.

Of course, not all loud cars are created on purpose. Some vehicles simply make a lot of noise because they are old or because they have been damaged in some way. If you own an older, louder vehicle, we would recommend selling it and investing in a quieter one, just to be safe. After all, it’s important to make sure you’re not penalised under the anti-noise laws.

Here at Simply Car Buyers, we’d be happy to buy your old car. We buy any car, regardless of how cacophonous it sounds! Get in touch today to find out more.

Abu Dhabi Police announced on Wednesday to discontinue the additional 20KMph speed buffer thruoughout UAE.

It was announced via social media, that starting from August 12 2018, all speed limits will be changed, and speed buffer will be removed.

Currently, most roads have a buffer motorists can travel upto 20kmph faster than what is advertised as the speed limit without getting a fine.

From August 12, drivers which happen to be travelling on a road which has a speed limit of 100 kph, will be fined if their speed becomes 101kph.

This decision has been based on some recent traffic safety studies, which aims to increase the safety levels in Abu Dhabi.

It was also told that the studies invloved in helping make this decition also included a traffic survey which identified driver behaviours as per the road’s speed limit, and compared the same with standard speed limits and buffers with other countries that have achieved outstanding results in traffic safety levels.

UAE’s leadership is strongly interested in the safety of road users, while providing the best standards in road planning & infrastructure projects and utilising latest international systems and practices, in order to save drivers lives from traffic accidents.