How to Tow a Car Safely in Dubai: Complete Guide for Drivers

Towing a car isn’t as simple as it may seem – especially if you need to move it over a long distance. In Dubai’s driving environment, with busy highways and strict safety laws, choosing the right towing method is critical. This comprehensive guide will explain various ways to tow a car (using a professional tow truck, pulling with another car, towing behind an RV, or using trailers/dollies) and how to do it safely. We’ll also highlight special precautions for long-distance towing and UAE-specific legal considerations. Whether your vehicle broke down on Sheikh Zayed Road or you’re planning to haul a car to another emirate, understanding these towing methods and safety tips will help you make the right choice – and avoid dangerous or illegal practices.

The Safest Option: Professional Tow Truck Service

A professional recovery truck loading a vehicle – using a flatbed is generally the safest towing method. In Dubai, the quickest and safest way to tow a car long distance is to call a licensed tow truck (recovery vehicle). Professional towing services use proper trucks equipped with either a flatbed or a wheel-lift mechanism to securely carry your car off the ground. This means zero wear and tear on the towed car’s tires, engine or transmission, which is ideal for long trips. The car is either completely lifted onto a flatbed or partly lifted (with two wheels off the ground), so it won’t accumulate mileage or drivetrain damage during the journey. Moreover, trained tow truck operators know how to fasten and transport vehicles without causing scratches or suspension strain.

Another big advantage of using a certified tow truck is safety and legality. Recovery operators in the UAE must meet strict licensing and equipment standards to run legally. They have proper insurance and follow traffic regulations (such as using warning lights and adhering to speed limits). For the car owner, this provides peace of mind and ensures compliance with Dubai’s laws. In fact, only authorized towing companies are generally allowed to tow vehicles on public roads – attempting to tow a car yourself could violate regulations. Professional tow trucks also have the power and brakes designed for hauling heavy loads, something normal consumer vehicles lack. This is especially important for long-distance towing in UAE’s hot climate, where an ordinary SUV might overheat or struggle if it tried to pull another car for many kilometers.

When to choose a tow truck: If your car has broken down on a highway or you need to move it a considerable distance (say from Dubai to Abu Dhabi or further), calling a tow truck is usually the best course. It might cost more than DIY methods, but it greatly reduces risk. Many insurance policies or roadside assistance plans in the UAE cover towing, or you can call RTA-approved services. Ultimately, a flatbed tow truck is the recommended option for long distances – it’s safe, doesn’t add wear to your vehicle, and keeps you on the right side of the law.

Tip: Ensure you remove any valuables from your car before towing and take pictures if possible. Professional companies in Dubai are insured, so in the rare case your vehicle gets damaged during tow, their insurance should cover it.

DIY Towing with Another Car (Tow Ropes & Straps)

Towing a vehicle with a rope between two vans – an improvised method that is extremely risky and not permitted on public roads in the UAE. Sometimes drivers consider using a second car (perhaps a friend’s 4×4 or a nearby vehicle) to tow a broken-down car with a rope or strap. This DIY towing method is common in some countries for short distances, but it’s very dangerous and strongly discouraged in Dubai, especially for long distance. In fact, under UAE law it is effectively illegal to tow a car with a rope on public roads – traffic regulations prohibit having any person in a towed vehicle during towing, which essentially rules out the typical “car towing another car with a driver steering the towed car” scenario. The authorities want only properly equipped recovery vehicles to do the job, for everyone’s safety.

Why is rope-towing so risky? First, control and communication are major issues. The lead vehicle’s driver must accelerate and brake extremely gently to avoid jerking the rope, and the towed car’s driver (if present) needs to brake in sync to keep the rope taut. Even with coordination, the towed car has no engine power, meaning no power steering and reduced brakes, so it’s very hard to steer or stop – one sudden move can lead to a collision. The rope or strap itself can be a weak link: if it snaps or comes loose at speed, the towed car could careen out of control. Even if it holds, turning and braking are tricky; the towed car can’t brake as effectively, and a stretchy rope can cause a rebound effect. At anything above very low speeds (e.g. 20–30 km/h), rope towing becomes extremely unsafe. For this reason, guidelines in other countries suggest keeping to around 15 mph (~25 km/h) and only for short distances – conditions that are hard to maintain on Dubai roads.

Legally, using a tow rope on public roads in the UAE can get you fined or your vehicle impounded. While the UAE traffic law doesn’t explicitly say “no tow ropes,” it does mandate that any towing must be done safely and by authorized means. Because a rope-tow setup lacks the required safety features (lights, secure hitch, etc.), police will likely deem it unsafe. Also, as mentioned, no one is allowed to ride in a car while it’s being towed, so you can’t have a driver in the towed vehicle – a rule that makes rope towing impractical and illegal. Only an empty vehicle may be towed, and controlling an empty free-rolling car by rope is next to impossible.

Bottom line: If your car breaks down in Dubai or UAE, do not attempt to tie a rope or chain to another car and drag it on public streets. The only slight exception might be in a very controlled situation off the main road – for example, pulling a car out of a sand dune off-road, or moving it within a private compound for a short distance at walking pace. Even then, use a proper rated tow strap and secure it to designated tow hooks (never to fragile parts like bumpers). And use hazard lights to warn others. But for any real distance or on busy roads, rope towing is a no-go. It’s not worth the enormous safety risk. Instead, call a professional or explore safer methods below.

If you absolutely must DIY tow a short distance in an emergency: attach the strap to the proper towing eyelets on both cars, have an experienced driver in the towed car to brake/steer, turn on hazard lights, and move slowly. Even this should only be to get the car to a safe spot off the road. There’s no way you should tow long-distance with a rope – it’s unsafe and unlawful.

Flat Towing a Car Behind an RV (Dinghy Towing)

For expatriates or adventure-seekers who drive RVs or motorhomes, flat towing a small car behind the larger vehicle is a popular method on road trips. Flat towing (also called “dinghy towing” or “four-down towing”) means the car rolls on all four of its own wheels, attached by a rigid tow bar to the back of the RV. This setup is commonly seen in North America – an RV pulling a small SUV or sedan behind it for use as a runabout at destinations. In Dubai and the UAE, full-size RVs are less common, but some residents do have them or undertake overland trips. It is technically possible to flat-tow a car behind a suitable towing vehicle here, but it requires proper equipment and isn’t legal unless done to specific standards.

How flat towing works: The towed car is connected via a heavy-duty tow bar (a solid A-frame or adjustable bar that fixes to the car’s front chassis). This bar keeps the car at a fixed distance and allows it to pivot in turns, much like a trailer. Typically, you install a base-plate or brackets on the frame of the towed car to attach the tow bar. The car’s steering is left unlocked (ignition in ACC position) so the front wheels can track the towing vehicle’s movements. No driver is needed in the towed car; it just rolls along. Because no trailer is involved, this method is convenient – you don’t need to haul a trailer around when not in use, and the car is quickly deployable when you stop. However, not all cars can be flat towed safely, especially over long distances.

Vehicle compatibility: You must check whether your car’s drivetrain can handle being towed with wheels on the ground. Many automatic transmission cars can be severely damaged if towed long distances with drive wheels spinning. The transmission’s oil pump usually runs only with the engine, so if you flat-tow an automatic in neutral with the engine off, the internals may not get lubrication – leading to overheating and ruin of the gearbox. Some automatics are approved for flat towing (certain Jeep or pickup models with a neutral transfer case, for example), but most are not. Manual transmission cars are often easier to flat tow (with the gearbox in neutral, they generally tolerate it better, though it still causes some wear). Always consult the vehicle owner’s manual for towing guidelines. If the manual says flat towing is not allowed, you’ll need to use a different method (dolly or trailer) or risk destroying the transmission. As a precaution, enthusiasts who flat-tow automatics sometimes install aftermarket lubrication pumps or quick-disconnect driveshaft kits. For instance, one common recommendation is to disconnect the driveshaft of a rear-wheel-drive automatic car before flat towing, to prevent any transmission rotation. In front-wheel-drive automatics, removing the drive axles is similarly effective but not very convenient. Another trick some use is running the engine at idle in Neutral periodically to circulate fluid (if the car can be safely run like that while being towed), but this isn’t always practical or safe.

Safety equipment for flat towing: When towing a car behind an RV or truck, you must essentially treat the towed car as an unpowered trailer. This means all the requisite safety features should be in place. Key requirements include: functional tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals on the towed car synced to the towing vehicle, safety chains or cables connecting the vehicles as backup, and often a supplemental braking system. In the UAE, towing any vehicle or trailer over 750 kg likely requires that the towed load have its own brake system operational. A towed car certainly exceeds 750 kg, so it’s advisable (and may be legally required) to use a brake controller or a device that allows the towed car to contribute to braking. There are portable braking units that press the towed car’s pedal when the lead vehicle brakes. Additionally, the towed car’s license plate must be visible, or an auxiliary plate provided, and it should have reflective markers if towed at night. Extended mirrors on the towing vehicle are needed if the towed car blocks rear visibility.

In the UAE context, flat towing a car behind an RV would fall under trailer regulations. That means the driver needs to have the proper license category if the combined weight is high (e.g. heavy trailer license if combined GCWR > 3500 kg), and the “trailer” (towed car) should be registered or at least notified to authorities. (It’s wise to check with the RTA if special permission or plate is needed to flat tow a car, since it’s not a common sight in Dubai.) Speed should be kept moderate when flat towing. Even if the law allows up to 80 km/h for trailers, many RVers will drive slower when towing a car to maintain stability. Always allow extra braking distance and make gentle maneuvers.

Key drawbacks of flat towing: It will wear out the towed car’s tires and mechanical components over long distances, since they are spinning the whole way. The odometer may or may not accumulate mileage (some modern cars do count miles when the wheels turn even if ignition off). Also, reverse is essentially impossible when flat towing – you cannot easily back up an RV with a car attached on a tow bar. You’d have to disconnect it if you need to reverse. And of course, setting up a car for flat towing has upfront cost (tow bar, base plates, lighting kit, etc.). Given all this, flat towing is only recommended if you truly need to bring a car along behind a larger vehicle for a long trip, and that car is known to be towable or modified for it. It’s not something to do on a whim or for a one-time short move; for those cases, using a proper tow truck or trailer is simpler.

Fun fact: People often refer to flat-towed cars as “toads” (towed) or “dinghies” in RV jargon. If you see a big motorhome with a Jeep Wrangler behind it, that Jeep is the “toad.”

Using a Tow Dolly or Car Trailer

If flat towing isn’t suitable, you have two other DIY options: a tow dolly or a flatbed car trailer. These involve additional equipment but can be safer and more vehicle-friendly for long distances than pulling a car on its own wheels.

• Tow Dolly: A tow dolly is a small two-wheel trailer designed to carry the front wheels of the car while the rear wheels roll on the road. Essentially, the car’s front tires sit on the dolly, lifting the front end, so it becomes a half-trailer. The dolly attaches to the towing vehicle’s hitch. Tow dollies are commonly used for front-wheel-drive cars – by lifting the drive wheels, you avoid spinning the transmission internals, making it gentler on automatic gearboxes. For long-distance towing, a dolly can save your car’s transmission from damage and also reduce tire wear (only the rear tires of the car will be on the ground). However, rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicles are not ideal for dollies (for RWD, the drive wheels would still be down; for AWD, you can’t have two wheels turning and two not, without harming the center differential). In those cases, either the driveshaft must be removed or all wheels must be off the ground.
• Using a tow dolly in the UAE requires following trailer rules: the dolly (and car) need proper lighting (tail lamps, indicators), and the dolly should have safety chains to the tow hitch. Typically the car’s rear lights can serve as indicators, but often people use auxiliary light boards. Strap down the car’s front wheels very securely on the dolly – ratchet straps over the tires are a must, plus secondary safety chains. Before a long trip, double-check the tire pressures on both the car and the dolly, and ensure the wheel bearings in the dolly are greased (dollies are small trailers that can suffer bearing failures if neglected on long hauls). Driving with a tow dolly is a bit different than flat towing: the dolly swivels on turns, and you have extra weight pushing on the hitch. Keep speeds moderate (around 80 km/h or as recommended) and allow for longer stopping distances. Remember that reversing with a dolly is also difficult; it’s slightly easier than with a flat-towed car, but still not recommended to reverse far, as the dolly can jackknife. When not in use, a tow dolly itself must be stored somewhere – a consideration if you’re tight on space.
• Flatbed Car Trailer: This is a full trailer onto which the entire car is loaded (all four wheels off the ground). It is essentially like having your own mini car carrier. For ultimate vehicle protection over a long distance, a flatbed trailer is the best DIY method because the towed car doesn’t touch the road at all. There’s no wear on its tires or drivetrain, and you don’t need to worry about transmission issues. Steering lock doesn’t matter, and you can even tow a car that’s not functional (broken axle, etc.) as long as you can winch it onto the trailer. While this method is excellent for the car’s well-being, the challenges are the logistics and legality. A car trailer is a heavy, large piece of equipment – you need a sufficiently powerful towing vehicle (truck or SUV) with the right hitch and a driver skilled in towing a trailer. Navigating Dubai’s roads with a long trailer requires caution, especially when changing lanes or dealing with traffic. Legally, a trailer in UAE must be registered and roadworthy, with its own brake lights, reflectors, and possibly brakes if over 750 kg. The trailer will need a number plate (usually matching the towing vehicle’s plate number, as issued by RTA when you register the trailer). Weight limits are crucial: the towing vehicle’s capacity and the trailer’s capacity must comfortably exceed the weight of the car you’re hauling. Overloading is an offense with heavy fines, and it’s dangerous (it can lead to trailer sway or brake failure). Make sure the load is balanced on the trailer (about 10-15% of the weight on the hitch as tongue weight is a rule of thumb for stability). Secure the car with multiple straps.
• Driving with a loaded car trailer is similar to driving a large tow truck: you should stick to lower speeds and stay in the right lane where possible. Anticipate turns and stops well in advance. In Dubai, you might also need a special driver’s license endorsement if the combined weight is high (Category 3 or 6 license for heavy trailers). However, if you’re just renting a car trailer to move a personal vehicle and your total weight is within 3.5 tons, your normal license might suffice – verify this with the authorities to be safe.

Which to choose – dolly or trailer? If you only need to tow occasionally and your car is front-wheel-drive, a tow dolly is cheaper and easier to store. It will get the job done for moderate distances. But for a long-distance move (e.g., relocating a car across countries) or towing a high-value car, a flatbed trailer is superior as it completely isolates the car from road wear. Both options are far safer than rope towing and likely the only legal way to DIY tow on highways (aside from flat-towing with a proper setup). Keep in mind that buying a trailer or dolly just for one use isn’t cost-effective – you can rent these from some equipment rental companies in UAE. Always ensure the equipment is in good shape (functioning lights, good tires, etc.) before setting off.

Below is a quick comparison of the towing methods we’ve discussed, highlighting their pros, cons, and suitability:

Towing Method	Best For	Pros	Cons	UAE Legal Notes
Professional Tow Truck	Any vehicle, any distance	Safest (vehicle secure on truck); no wear on car; easy and fast for owner	Cost (paid service); wait time for truck to arrive	Fully legal and recommended. Must be done by licensed recovery operators.
Tow Rope/Strap with Car	Short emergency only (off-public road)	Very cheap and quick (if rope available); no special gear beyond a strap	Extremely unsafe on public roads; hard to control; risk of accident or vehicle damage; not for long distance	Not allowed on public roads. Law forbids occupied towed cars; unsafe towing can lead to fines/impound.
Flat Towing with Tow Bar	RV travel or hauling a second car long-term	Convenient for frequent travel (no trailer needed); car immediately drivable after towing; no trailer storage needed	Car’s tires and components wear out; setup cost (tow bar, mods); not all cars compatible; difficult to reverse; needs auxiliary brakes for heavy car	Treated as towing a trailer – must have lights, safety chains, etc. Stay within weight limits and license categories. Ensure towed car is suitable for flat towing to avoid mechanical damage.
Tow Dolly (Front wheels up)	Medium distances; front-wheel-drive cars	Protects the car’s transmission (drive wheels off ground); less strain on car; relatively compact equipment	Still puts wear on two tires; not suitable for AWD; need to secure and store dolly; backing up is tricky	Legal if trailer rules followed: dolly should have lights/reflectors; use safety chains. Total weight counts toward towing limits.
Flatbed Trailer	Long distances; any car (especially AWD or luxury)	No wear on the car at all; can tow damaged/non-running cars; highest safety for car	Requires powerful tow vehicle; trailer purchase/rental cost; driving with large trailer requires skill; storage space needed	Legal if trailer is registered and within allowed dimensions/weight. Driver may need higher license class if over 3.5t GCWR. Must have proper trailer brakes, lights, etc.

Long-Distance Towing Tips and Precautions

No matter which method you choose, towing a car over a long distance (anything more than a few kilometers) calls for extra preparation. The combination of Dubai’s road conditions (high speeds, hot weather) and the mechanical strain of towing means you should take the following precautions before and during the journey:

• Plan the Route and Timing: Map out your trip in advance and stick to main roads where possible. When towing, it’s wise to avoid routes with steep hills, tight turns, or heavy stop-and-go traffic. In the UAE, you’ll also want to avoid peak traffic hours if possible. Plan for lower speeds – if normally you’d drive at 120 km/h on a highway, with a towed vehicle you might be going ~80 km/h in the slower lane. Also consider the time of day: towing in the cooler evening might be easier on the tow vehicle’s engine than in scorching afternoon heat, but be mindful of visibility at night (ensure all lights on the towed setup are working).
• Inspect Both Vehicles: Before departure, do a thorough check of the towing vehicle, the towed vehicle, and any towing equipment. For the tow vehicle, make sure fluid levels (engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid) are topped up – towing puts extra stress on the engine and transmission, which can lead to overheating if fluids are low. Check that the tow vehicle’s tires are properly inflated and in good condition, and that its brakes are strong. For the car being towed, if it will have any wheels on the road, check those tires’ pressure and condition too. Release the parking brake on the towed car (you’d be surprised how often people forget this!). If using a tow bar or dolly, inspect all the bolts, pins, and straps: everything must be tight and secured. It’s a good idea to also test the lights – have someone press the tow vehicle’s brakes and turn signals while you confirm the towed car’s lights or the trailer lights illuminate correctly.
• Safety Gear: Always use all required safety gear. Attach safety chains between the towing vehicle and towed vehicle/trailer in a crossed pattern under the tongue (this catches the tongue if it drops). Even on a tow rope (which, again, should only be for a short, off-road tow), a secondary rope is wise. Carry a fire extinguisher in your vehicle when towing long distance – the strain can sometimes cause overheating issues. Also have a basic tool kit, a spare tire for the trailer/dolly (if applicable), and warning triangles. In the UAE, you’re required to put a reflective warning triangle on the road if you stop with a breakdown, so have one accessible.
• Driving Technique When Towing: Once on the road, drive defensively. Your acceleration will be slower due to the extra weight, and your braking distance will be much longer – so maintain a large gap to the vehicle ahead. Stay in the right lanes on highways where slower traffic goes. Use your indicators early before changing lanes or turning, to alert other drivers well in advance (especially if your towed setup is long). Avoid sudden steering maneuvers. If you feel the trailer or towed car swaying, gently let off the accelerator – do not slam brakes (if a trailer starts to fishtail badly, some recommend a brief manual trailer brake input if available). Keep speeds moderate even if the law allows higher; for example, staying ~80 km/h or below significantly reduces risk and mechanical stress. Remember, towing is not a race – getting there safely is the priority.
• Take Breaks and Check Often: On a long trip, schedule regular stops (perhaps every 1–2 hours) to inspect your towing rig. Walk around and touch the straps or chains (they might be hot, so careful) to ensure none have loosened. Check the hitch connection and that the towed car is still in neutral with keys in correct position (if flat towing). Feel the wheels of the trailer or dolly – are the hubs overly hot (a sign of bearing trouble)? Also look at your vehicle’s gauges while driving; if engine temperature starts climbing, pull over and let it cool. It’s much better to arrive a bit later than to push on and cause an engine failure or tire blowout. Use these stops to also rest — towing can be fatiguing because of the extra attention required, so staying fresh is important.
• Weather and Road Conditions: In the UAE, sudden sandstorms or heavy rain (during rare times) can drastically reduce visibility. If you’re caught in very poor visibility while towing, it may be safest to pull over to a safe area and wait it out. High winds can also be dangerous, as they can sway trailers or the towed car. If winds are strong, reduce your speed further to maintain stability. And of course, if you notice any wobble or odd behavior from the towed vehicle, stop and investigate immediately – it could be a flat tire on the towed car or a loose connection.

By following these precautions, you greatly increase the chances of a smooth, incident-free towing journey. Long distances amplify any small issue, so vigilance is your best tool. As a rule of thumb, if anything doesn’t feel right while towing, stop and check – it’s better to be overly cautious than to regret not pulling over.

UAE Laws and Safety Considerations

We’ve touched on legality in each section, but let’s summarize the key UAE laws and regulations that you must keep in mind when towing a car in Dubai or anywhere in the Emirates:

• No Passengers in Towed Vehicles: It is explicitly against UAE traffic law to have any occupants in a vehicle that is being towed. This means if your car is being towed (whether by rope, tow bar, or lifted by a truck), you and any passengers must ride in the towing vehicle or elsewhere, not inside the towed car. The rule is aimed at safety – a towed car is vulnerable to crashes, and without active safety systems running, it’s not a protected space for people. So never sit in your car while it’s being towed, and if you see someone else’s car being towed, don’t ask to sit in it. Violation of this can lead to fines.
• Use Licensed Towing Services: On public roads, only licensed recovery and towing companies are supposed to perform towing operations. Dubai’s RTA and police enforce this to prevent mishaps. Towing companies must have permits and follow specific safety standards. If you try to tow a friend’s car on the highway with your SUV and a rope, you are essentially performing an unlicensed towing operation, which can get you in trouble. There’s some grey area with towing a trailer that you own (like a personal boat or car trailer) – that’s allowed if the trailer is registered and your license covers it. But towing someone else’s broken car with your car (not on a trailer) is generally not allowed. Police patrols in UAE are known to stop unsafe towing setups. For example, if you had a car on a rope or even on a tow bar without proper lights, you could be stopped and fined for “dangerous driving” or vehicle violations. Always consider the legal risk: a fine of AED 500 or more, black points on your license, and possibly impoundment of the vehicles can result from improper towing.
• Trailer and Towing Equipment Regulations: If you are using a trailer or tow dolly, it falls under the trailer regulations. This means the trailer/dolly must be road-legal: registered with the authorities, sporting a number plate and the required reflectors. Trailers in Dubai also have dimension limits (generally max width ~2.5m, length ~12m for light vehicle trailers) – a standard car trailer is usually within these. The towed load must be securely fastened. Trailers (or cars being towed as trailers) must not carry any loose cargo that could fall off. Also, any load beyond the trailer’s bed (overhanging loads) need special marking (usually a red flag in daytime or red light at night on the projection). However, towing a car, you’re not likely to have overhang except maybe a long vehicle on a short trailer – avoid that scenario or get an appropriate trailer.
• Speed Limits and Road Etiquette: While there isn’t a special nationwide towing speed limit in the UAE published like in some countries, the general advice (and enforced indirectly via “driving too slow” rules) is that towing vehicles should not go at the top highway speeds. Many recovery trucks drive around 80–100 km/h even on roads where 120 is allowed. This is for safety. If you are towing with your own setup, you should follow suit. In some Emirates, heavy vehicles including those towing must stick to lower limits. Additionally, you may be required to stick to certain lanes (trucks, including vehicles with trailers, often must use right lanes and are not allowed on fast lane). Always keep right except when overtaking, and use hazard lights if you’re moving significantly slower than traffic to warn approaching cars (note: hazard lights should not be kept on constantly while moving, as per UAE guidance, but some use them temporarily on very steep slow climbs or if moving at crawling speed on a highway). If your towed setup cannot maintain at least around 60 km/h on a highway, it might be unsafe to be on it at all – better to call a professional in that case.
• Lighting and Visibility: If you tow at night or in early morning, make sure the towed car or trailer has working lights. The UAE’s roads are well-lit in cities, but once you’re between cities or in low-light conditions, a towed vehicle with no lights is a hazard (and illegal). Magnetic towing lights or a light board can be attached to a towed car if its own lights can’t be activated. Reflectors are also a must on the rear and sides of any towed load at night. You don’t want a fast car coming up behind to only see your towed vehicle at the last second.
• Insurance Considerations: Towing a vehicle might have implications on insurance. In the UAE, if you cause an accident while improperly towing, your insurance may deny the claim due to negligence. Conversely, if your car is damaged because your friend towed it incorrectly, your insurance might classify it as damage due to misuse. Official towing companies have insurance to cover any incident during transit. So another reason to stick with professionals or very cautious legal DIY methods is to ensure you’re covered in case of any mishap.
• Prohibited Towing Situations: It should go without saying, but never tow a vehicle that’s in an obviously dangerous state (for example, a car that’s crumpled and dragging parts on the road) except by professional means. Also, UAE law would not allow towing more than one vehicle at a time (don’t create a “train” of cars). Do not tow a vehicle with people riding in either it or in an unsafe manner (like sitting in the towed car’s open trunk bed, etc.). These could lead to hefty fines for endangering lives. Abu Dhabi police have also issued warnings and fines for trucks improperly towing heavy equipment without permits – so if you ever need to tow something unusual, check if a permit is needed.

In summary, the UAE takes towing safety very seriously – for good reason. The combination of high speeds and dense traffic means a poorly executed tow can quickly turn into a deadly accident. The government has set regulations to ensure that towing is done by capable parties with the right gear. If you stick to those rules – using proper equipment, keeping speeds safe, and ideally using licensed services – you can tow a car without legal issues. Skirting the rules not only risks fines and penalties but, more importantly, risks lives. Always err on the side of caution and legality when towing.

When in Doubt, Call the Experts

Towing a car, especially over a long distance, is a task that demands respect – for the physics involved, for the safety of everyone on the road, and for the laws in place. We’ve explored various methods from professional tow trucks to DIY solutions like ropes, tow bars, dollies, and trailers. By now, it should be clear that the safest, most hassle-free option is to use a professional towing service whenever possible. Licensed recovery providers in Dubai are equipped to handle your car with care, ensuring it reaches its destination without a scratch and without putting you at risk. They take care of the proper loading, have the right trucks, and navigate the legal requirements for you.

That said, it’s valuable to understand the alternatives – you may find yourself in a situation where you need to do a small DIY tow, or perhaps you’re an enthusiast who needs to tow a car behind an RV. In those cases, knowledge is power. Always remember to check if your method is legally permitted in the UAE, and always prioritize safety (use the proper gear, drive slowly, etc.). Never compromise on things like lights, brakes, or secure connections to save time – a single mistake can have expensive or tragic consequences.

For Dubai’s drivers, a common scenario is a breakdown on the highway or in the desert. If that happens, your best course is usually: get the vehicle to a safe spot and call for professional help. UAE authorities respond quickly to keep traffic flowing, and attempting a rogue tow could actually interfere with that. Plus, modern cars are complex – towing them improperly can cause computer or transmission issues that lead to costly repairs. Spending a few hundred dirhams on a flatbed tow truck is a wise investment compared to the potential damage of doing it wrong.

In conclusion, towing a car long distance is not to be taken lightly. Use this guide to make an informed decision on how to tow, but when in doubt, let the experts handle it. They have the skills and equipment, and you’ll have peace of mind. Safe driving (and towing)!

Stay safe on the roads, and remember: no matter how urgent it is to move your car, safety and legality come first. When towing in Dubai and the UAE, keep it slow, keep it secure, and keep it smart.