Driving in Bhutan vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
Discover the contrasts in road regulations between Bhutan and the United Arab Emirates. From lane usage to speed limits and emergency protocols, these two nations present distinct approaches to vehicular navigation. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring safety and compliance while exploring new terrains.
Lanes
| Bhutan | 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 Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | 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
bhutan:
Left
united arab emirates:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bhutan:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bhutan:
Use leftmost lane.
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Bhutan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | 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
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bhutan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Bhutan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bhutan | 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 | Annual vehicle inspection required | 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 | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | 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
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bhutan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | 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 enforced | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay