Private driver services are ubiquitous in Dubai. If you’re looking to hire the cheapest safe driver Dubai has to offer, you’ll need to know if they have certain skills that are sure to keep you and your family safe.
Dubai has one of the fastest high-speed traffic, and what comes with it is unpredictable traffic and strict driving laws to tackle it. So, if you’re hiring a Dubai private driver, safety comes first. A skilled driver isn’t someone who just knows how to take you from point A to B. They should be trained in defensive driving, risk management, and emergency handling.
We know this because, at Prompt Driver, all our drivers go through rigorous training, so you’ll get the best private drivers in Dubai. This blog tells you about the essential safety skills every safe driver should have and how you can verify them before hiring.
Defensive driving techniques and why they are non-negotiable in Dubai
Defensive driving is a person’s ability to anticipate road issues, so it gives them the ability to minimize risks and also respond quickly to any emergencies. Defensive drivers follow traffic rules just like any other driver, but they predict dangers.
So, how can you find out if a safe driver knows defensive driving?
- Check their driving history. Request a Traffic Violations Report from the Road Transport Authority before you hire a private driver. Accidents can happen but if they have multiple traffic violations, they may not have defensive driving skills.
- Take a test drive with them. See how they react to tailgaters, sudden stops and while merging lanes. Do they keep a safe distance? And are they anticipating issues or do they get frustrated at traffic?
- Ask about their training. Private drivers at Prompt Driver go through advanced defensive driving courses in par with those offered by Dubai Police or top Driving Institutes. But that may not be the case for drivers you hire from anywhere else, so ask about the training they had.
- How smooth is their driving? Defensive drivers don’t break abruptly and they neither accelerate all of a sudden. Their driving is smooth as butter. You wouldn’t feel the jerkiness that is common in Dubai traffic.
The Smith System for Safe Driving
What makes Prompt Driver the top driver service provider in Dubai is the high-quality training we give our drivers. Our drivers follow Smith system, which is the globally recognized driving strategy that reduces crash risks. There are 5 principles of the Smith System:
- Aim High in Steering – Good drivers look at least 15 seconds down the road to anticipate any dangers.
- Get the Big Picture – Instead of tunnel vision, skilled drivers scan multiple lanes, side mirrors, and pedestrian crossings at the same time.
- Keep Your Eyes Moving – A driver should never stare at one spot for more than two seconds. Constant scanning reduces blind spots.
- Leave Yourself an Out – Skilled drivers always keep an escape route in case of emergencies.
- Make Sure They See You – Good drivers communicate with eye contact, horn taps, or headlights so other drivers and pedestrians notice them.
How to know if your private driver practices the Smith System?
- During the interview, ask them how they would handle a sudden stop or an aggressive driver. A true professional driver will refer to some Smith System principles.
- See if they check mirrors frequently. A trained driver scan intersections in a way that makes you feel they know what they are doing..
- Prompt Driver offers the most affordable driving services in Dubai, but all our drivers complete courses in the Smith System Defensive Driving program. Check if the safe driver you hire also has similar training.
Why your driver must know Dubai’s road rules
Dubai’s traffic laws violations come with hefty fines and black points. A driver who doesn’t fully understand local road regulations can cost you money.
For example:
- Running a red light can lead to an AED 50,000 fine and vehicle confiscation for 30 days.
- Driving on the hard shoulder is a serious offense, with fines of up to AED 1,000 and six black points.
Dubai also has strict lane discipline rules and specific no-go zones for private vehicles. Your driver should know these rules inside out.
- Quiz them on Dubai’s most enforced traffic rules, speed limits, no-parking zones, and priority lanes.
- Check their fine history in the Dubai Police Traffic Fine Inquiry System.
How well can a safe driver handle a crisis?
In the many years of our service, none of our drivers had to go through a crisis, and that makes Prompt Driver the safest private driver service provider.
A mechanical failure or accident can happen at any time. So, the real test of a private driver is how they respond under pressure.
- Ask if they have first-aid training
- Ask how they would respond if the brakes failed.
- Check if they know basic car repairs
Can they handle Dubai’s toughest driving challenges?
Here are some facts you should know about driving in Dubai:
- Sandstorms reduce visibility to less than 50 meters.
- Heavy rains cause flooding on key roads like Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road.
- Peak-hour congestion adds up to 45 extra minutes to your journey.
Dubai experiences multiple sandstorms every year. Your safe driver should know to use fog lights and never slam the brakes suddenly.
Ask them to suggest alternate routes to your common destinations. A skilled driver won’t rely solely on GPS but will know which roads flood during rain and which shortcuts are better during peak hours.
Hire from Prompt Driver for the best Safe Driver Experience
A private driver isn’t just someone who drives you. They are your personal chauffeur. A driver should have defensive driving skills, local traffic knowledge, and emergency preparedness. As long as you hire from Prompt Driver, you won’t have to worry about any of these issues.
