With emphasis on building up the infrastructure of the UAE in a relatively short time, the government has invested heavily in road building, and the main cities are connected by smooth fast roads, which stay reasonably clear. Unsurprisingly fuel is inexpensive, and hiring a car is straightforward. Taxis are the best value method of getting around, and again are not expensive. The 100KM drive from Abu Dhabi to Dubai takes around an hour and costs about £25. Buses cost around half the price of taxis and are a good value option particularly for going from city to city.
You can hire a car in the UAE without any problems, and if you are planning to do lots of sight seeing, then this is a great choice that opens up loads of possibilities. Petrol is very cheap, and the roads are very safe, although you should avoid speeding (cars are fitted with an alarm that sounds if you go too fast). If you plan to go off road in the desert, then common sense dictates that you should first do a desert driving course, and these can be booked in advance of travel.
