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For those familiar to Texas, Dubai is similar to Houston, with lots of overpasses, wide roads and traffic everywhere. A metro line is being built, but isn’t scheduled to open until late 2009. That means most people drive their own car or take (reasonably priced) taxis to get from A to B. The driving style is a bit aggressive and impatient, with indicators being used sparingly or for a split second during a lane change.

The main thoroughfare is called Sheik Zayed Road (SZR) which is a tollroad that goes north-south. Although road names exist, they’re never used: when you get in a taxi, you tell the driver the nearest landmark (usually a hotel or tower) and direct them from there. Traffic can be absolutely horrendous, with a 15-minute drive taking 1.5-2 hours during peak times.

Getting a driving license apparently is a nightmare for some and people have been known to fail the test more than twice (kind of like NL). Luckily, for a US license, it’s a 1-to-1 automatic conversion.