Every year, UAE National Day turns the entire country into a sea of red, green, white, and black. Now officially known as Eid Al Etihad, the 54th National Day gives you a four-day-long weekend with packed roads, decorated cars, and late-night fireworks across all seven emirates. To keep everyone safe, the UAE’s Ministry of Interior (MOI) and local police forces have set clear rules on what you can and cannot do during the celebrations.
If you plan to join the festivities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or anywhere across the UAE, this guide walks you through 11 activities banned during Eid Al Etihad – especially those related to car use and road behaviour – so you can celebrate with pride, not penalties.
Why safety rules matter on UAE National Day
This year’s Eid Al Etihad celebrations include huge public events, official parades, and family road trips. All of that creates heavier traffic and more congestion on key roads and around popular spots. To prevent accidents and chaos, the MOI issued detailed regulations for celebrations and vehicle decorations, with a strong focus on road safety and public order.
Authorities make several points very clear:
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Police allow only approved stickers and UAE flags on vehicles.
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They penalise any actions that block traffic, endanger passengers, or disturb public peace.
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In severe cases, Dubai’s traffic rules can hit you with impound fees that reach up to AED 50,000 under specific decrees if they consider your behaviour extremely dangerous.
In short: you can celebrate loudly with your heart – just not dangerously with your car.
11 activities banned this Eid Al Etihad
Below you’ll find the 11 key activities banned during UAE National Day celebrations, especially when you’re on the road. These points reflect MOI regulations and public safety announcements for the 54th Eid Al Etihad.
1. Joining random parades or unauthorised gatherings
If a convoy or “parade” doesn’t have official approval, police forbid you to join it. Random car convoys on highways or main roads can quickly block traffic and slow emergency services. Instead, you should stick to authorised events and designated celebration areas.
2. Blocking or obstructing traffic
Stopping in the middle of a busy road to wave flags or film videos may feel festive, but traffic officers treat it as a serious offence. When you park or stand in a way that blocks junctions, exits, or lanes, you obstruct traffic. That behaviour can lead to fines, towing, or even impoundment of your car.
3. Stunt driving and reckless behaviour
Drifting, sudden acceleration, racing your friends, or doing burnouts “for the crowd” all count as reckless driving. Authorities treat these actions as major offences because they put you, your passengers, and everyone nearby at risk. Families with children often share the same roads, so the margin for error drops to almost zero.
4. Leaning or hanging out of windows or sunroofs
You often see videos of people sitting on window edges, standing through the sunroof, or hanging half their body outside the car to wave flags. That behaviour looks dramatic but creates huge danger. You and your passengers need to stay seated inside the vehicle with seatbelts on. Celebrate when the car stops safely, not while your body hangs outside the moving vehicle.
5. Overloading your vehicle
Stuffing “just a few more” cousins into an already full car might seem harmless. In reality, overloading makes the vehicle harder to control and reduces your stopping distance. This raises the risk for everyone inside during sudden braking or a collision. Each person should have a proper seat, and younger children should travel in suitable child seats.
6. Covering windows or hiding licence plates
When you cover side or rear windows with stickers or wrap the windshield with flags, you limit your view of the road. If you place decorations over your plates, authorities cannot identify your car easily when needed. Heavy tinting and thick decorations that block visibility work against basic safety. Keep your windows clear and your number plates visible at all times.
7. Unauthorised vehicle modifications and excessive noise
Some drivers install temporary or permanent modifications that make the car louder, such as altered exhausts, added noise-making devices, or aggressive engine tuning. During UAE National Day, authorities clamp down hard on this behaviour. Your celebrations should not disturb entire neighbourhoods or distract other drivers with sudden noise.
8. Wearing scarves unrelated to Eid Al Etihad
Even your accessories matter. Authorities clearly discourage scarves and similar items that show messages or themes unrelated to Eid Al Etihad, especially if you display them from the car. Focus on respectful, patriotic symbols that reflect the spirit of UAE National Day. Random slogans or inappropriate messages do not fit the occasion.
9. Raising any flag other than the UAE flag
During this period, National Day celebrations revolve around the UAE identity. Because of that, only the UAE flag should appear on your car or building as part of the official festivities. Flying other countries’ flags as part of UAE National Day celebrations goes against the rules and dilutes the symbolism of the day.
10. Using spray paint or party spray on vehicles
Party sprays, fake snow, and spray paint might feel fun in the moment, but authorities strongly oppose them. These products can reduce visibility, damage car paint, and leave slippery residue on roads and pavements. That residue increases the chance of slips for both drivers and pedestrians. For that reason, officials tell both drivers and pedestrians not to use sprays of any kind.
11. Playing loud music that isn’t National Day–related
Music boosts the festive mood, but the rules still apply. Blasting loud music that has no link to UAE National Day violates the celebration guidelines. Even patriotic songs should be played at a respectful volume. Overpowering sound systems distract you while you drive and disturb residents, especially late at night.
Smart car prep tips so you don’t miss the celebrations
Avoiding banned activities gives you one layer of protection. Another layer comes from preparing your car before the long weekend. A quick pre-check can save you from unexpected breakdowns:
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Check your tyres for wear, cracks, and the correct pressure, especially if you drive between emirates.
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Test your lights and indicators, because many celebrations and fireworks happen after dark.
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Inspect your coolant and engine oil so your car can handle heavy traffic without overheating.
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Confirm that your AC works properly, as idling in congestion without good cooling makes everyone tired and stressed.
A little preparation before UAE National Day keeps your plans on track and reduce the chance of roadside surprises.
Conclusion: Celebrate safely – and keep your car ready with Car Garage Expert
UAE National Day and Eid Al Etihad celebrate unity, pride, and gratitude. When you respect the official safety rules – by avoiding random parades, stunt driving, overloaded cars, blocked roads, and risky decorations – you protect your family and everyone else sharing the streets with you.
Even with careful planning, your car can still develop a problem during the celebrations. The engine might overheat in traffic, the battery could fail, or you might hear unusual brake noise. You don’t need to let these issues ruin your long weekend.
In Dubai, Car Garage Expert in Al Quoz offers specialised multi-brand repairs and servicing for Japanese, German, American, British, and Korean cars. Skilled technicians use modern diagnostic tools and focus on both quality and value. They handle routine maintenance and unexpected mechanical faults so your car returns to the road in safe, reliable condition.
So this Eid Al Etihad, you can celebrate with confidence:
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Learn the 11 banned activities and stay clear of them.
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Prepare your car before the big weekend.
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And if anything goes wrong with your vehicle during the celebrations, visit Car Garage Expert for professional support and a safe return to the roads.
Enjoy the lights, the flags, and the fireworks – and let your UAE National Day memories revolve around happiness, not traffic fines or breakdowns.
