Driving in Afghanistan vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
When traversing the roads of Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly influence their travel experience. Key contrasts include lane markings, speed limits, and the presence of bus and cycle lanes, underscoring the importance of understanding these nuances for a safer journey abroad.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
united arab emirates:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
afghanistan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
afghanistan:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
afghanistan:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
afghanistan:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Afghanistan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in UAE |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
afghanistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Afghanistan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Afghanistan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
afghanistan:
112
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay