Driving in Cuba vs. United Arab Emirates: A Safety Guide
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for a secure driving experience. This comparison highlights significant distinctions between Cuba and the United Arab Emirates. Key takeaways include variations in speed limits, lane usage, and penalties, which are vital for drivers seeking to navigate safely in these diverse environments.
Lanes
| Cuba | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not typical; follow local rules and signs. | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 6 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use the rightmost 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 | Rare | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Road signs or painted indicators where applicable. | 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
cuba:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
cuba:
Not typical; follow local rules and signs.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
cuba:
List length: 4
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cuba:
Use the rightmost lane.
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cuba:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
cuba:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cuba:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cuba:
Rare
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cuba:
Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles.
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cuba:
Road signs or painted indicators where applicable.
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
cuba:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cuba:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cuba:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cuba:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Cuba | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Rare | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; enforced by traffic police | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
cuba:
40-50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cuba:
30-40 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
60-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cuba:
60-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cuba:
50-70 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
90-100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cuba:
90-100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cuba:
80-90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cuba:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cuba:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
cuba:
Rare
united arab emirates:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cuba:
Common; enforced by traffic police
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Cuba | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cuba | 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cuba:
Not used in Cuba
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cuba:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
cuba:
Spanish; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cuba:
Triangular with red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Cuba | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area, check for local signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
cuba:
Not allowed
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
cuba:
Varies by area, check for local signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Cuba | 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 inspection required | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on 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
cuba:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cuba:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cuba:
Annual inspection required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cuba:
Displayed on windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cuba:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cuba:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Cuba | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cuba:
More frequent use than in some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Alcohol
| Cuba | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.0% |
Limits: General Drivers
cuba:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cuba:
0.02%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Emergency Services
| Cuba | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 106 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 106 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider; national lines may apply | 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
cuba:
106
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
cuba:
106
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cuba:
Varies by provider; national lines may apply
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Cuba | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency | 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 | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually paid directly to officers | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cuba:
Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
cuba:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
cuba:
Common; usually paid directly to officers
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
cuba:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay