Driving Differences: Dominican Republic vs. United Arab Emirates
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for your safety. This comparison between the Dominican Republic and the United Arab Emirates reveals notable distinctions in lane usage, speed limits, and traffic rules. From bus lanes to alcohol limits, get ready to discover essential insights to navigate these diverse driving environments with confidence.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed 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, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often not marked. | 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
dominican republic:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
dominican republic:
Allowed 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
dominican republic:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Limited
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
dominican republic:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
dominican republic:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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; speed checks are done by police radar | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible for traffic infractions | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
70 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
70 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
90 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
dominican republic:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
united arab emirates:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Dominican republic | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Not used in UAE |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used in many situations | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| 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 | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
united arab emirates:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
dominican republic:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
dominican republic:
Spanish; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
dominican republic:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Dominican republic | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Dominican republic | 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 | Yes, annual inspection required | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used more frequently than in some countries | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Moderate use, not excessively |
Use Of Horn: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
united arab emirates:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 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 | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
dominican republic:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
united arab emirates:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required and recommended as a safety measure | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
dominican republic:
911
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | 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 | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
dominican republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay