Driving in the Bahamas vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
Exploring the contrasts between the Bahamas and the United Arab Emirates unveils intriguing variations in road regulations and safety practices. From differing driving orientations to diverse speed limits and penalties, understanding these distinctions is vital for a secure journey abroad. Navigate these unique driving landscapes with confidence and awareness to ensure your travels are both enjoyable and safe.
Lanes
| Bahamas | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | 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. |
Driving Side
bahamas:
Left
united arab emirates:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahamas:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahamas:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahamas:
Use leftmost lane.
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahamas:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahamas:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 80-100 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | 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 | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
united arab emirates:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahamas:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Bahamas | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | 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 | English; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahamas:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahamas:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Bahamas | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bahamas | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | 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, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or 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
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahamas:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahamas:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahamas | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahamas:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
united arab emirates:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 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
bahamas:
919
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, 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 | $25 to $200, points may apply | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahamas:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay