Driving in China vs United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
Discover the distinct driving landscapes of China and the United Arab Emirates. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol regulations, these nations showcase diverse road rules. Key differences include China's relaxed overtaking policies versus the UAE's stringent alcohol limits, underscoring the importance of understanding local regulations for safe travel.
Lanes
| China | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 6 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | 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
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united arab emirates:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
united arab emirates:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| China | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| China | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in UAE |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| China | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| China | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Chinese driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required for short visits | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | 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 | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
united arab emirates:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| China | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Moderate use, not excessively |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 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, especially near bars and clubs | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
united arab emirates:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
united arab emirates:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 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: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, 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 | ¥50 to ¥200 | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | 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; fines often paid online or at banks | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay