Driving in Austria vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Austria and the United Arab Emirates, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experiences. Key differences range from lane markings and speed limits to alcohol regulations and emergency contacts. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Austria | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
united arab emirates:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
austria:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
austria:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Austria | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
austria:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
austria:
30 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Austria | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in UAE |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
united arab emirates:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
austria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Austria | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Austria | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Austria | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Alcohol
| Austria | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
austria:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Austria | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
austria:
112
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
austria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay