Driving in Barbados vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
When exploring the unique motoring landscapes of Barbados and the United Arab Emirates, travelers must navigate distinct regulations and practices. From the left-side driving in Barbados to the right-side rules in the UAE, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad. Discover the essential contrasts for a safer driving experience!
Lanes
| Barbados | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left. | 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 | 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. |
Driving Side
barbados:
Left
united arab emirates:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
united arab emirates:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
united arab emirates:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
barbados:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
barbados:
Use leftmost lane.
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
barbados:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
barbados:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
barbados:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Barbados | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | 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
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
barbados:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
barbados:
English; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
barbados:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Barbados | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Barbados | 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 | Usually not required for non-residents | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | 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
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings | 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
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
barbados:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Barbados | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints can be used | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
barbados:
0.08%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Barbados | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
barbados:
Signal left when preparing to exit
united arab emirates:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
united arab emirates:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local 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
barbados:
211 or 911
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | 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 for not wearing seatbelts | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay