Driving in Denmark vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for a safe journey. This comparison between Denmark and the United Arab Emirates reveals significant distinctions in lane markings, speed limits, and traffic signals. From strict alcohol limits in the UAE to the unique bus lane usage in Denmark, navigating these roads requires awareness and adaptation.
Lanes
| Denmark | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used temporarily in construction zones. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic. | 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 bicycles and taxis. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | 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
denmark:
Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
denmark:
Used temporarily in construction zones.
united arab emirates:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
denmark:
Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
denmark:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
denmark:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
denmark:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement.
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
denmark:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
denmark:
Not applicable
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits.
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Denmark | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for minor offenses. | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
denmark:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
denmark:
30 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
denmark:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
110-130 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
denmark:
90-100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
denmark:
Yes, for minor offenses.
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Denmark | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green. | Not used in UAE |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Danish; 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
denmark:
Used before green.
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
denmark:
Signal when entering and exiting
united arab emirates:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
denmark:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
denmark:
Danish; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
denmark:
Triangular with red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Denmark | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign. | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
denmark:
Not allowed
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Left Turn: General
denmark:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians.
united arab emirates:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
denmark:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign.
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Denmark | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays | 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 | Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
denmark:
Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
denmark:
International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
denmark:
Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
denmark:
Displayed on the windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Road Etiquette
| Denmark | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
denmark:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Alcohol
| Denmark | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; carried out by the police | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
denmark:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
denmark:
0.02%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
denmark:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
denmark:
Common; carried out by the police
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
denmark:
Can be substantial
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Denmark | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if taking any exit other than first | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
denmark:
Signal left if taking any exit other than first
united arab emirates:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Denmark | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact general emergency to report traffic issues | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurer or patrol services | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
denmark:
112
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
denmark:
Contact general emergency to report traffic issues
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
denmark:
Contact your insurer or patrol services
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended but not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Denmark | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free required | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and possible license points | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 days | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
denmark:
Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
denmark:
Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
denmark:
Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
denmark:
Fines apply, use of hands-free required
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
denmark:
Significant fines and possible license points
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
denmark:
Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
denmark:
Varies; typically within 14 days
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay