Driving in Chile vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for a safe journey. In this comparison between Chile and the United Arab Emirates, you'll discover distinct variations in lane markings, speed limits, and legal requirements. Familiarizing yourself with these driving protocols will enhance your travel experience and ensure compliance on unfamiliar roads.
Lanes
| Chile | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless 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 | Yes | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | 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
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
united arab emirates:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
chile:
Prohibited unless 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
chile:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
chile:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
chile:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
chile:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Chile | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 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 | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
chile:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
chile:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Chile | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used in UAE |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Chile | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Chile | 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 | Required annually | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
chile:
Displayed on windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Chile | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Alcohol
| Chile | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
chile:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Chile | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
united arab emirates:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Chile | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay