Driving Differences: Egypt vs United Arab Emirates
Discover the unique aspects of road regulations and safety nuances in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. While both nations permit overtaking on multi-lane routes, they diverge significantly in speed limits, lane presence, and alcohol regulations. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Egypt | 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 | Limited | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically used by buses and minibuses. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not consistently marked. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often unmarked. | 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 | Fixed speed limits. | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
egypt:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
egypt:
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
egypt:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Typically used by buses and minibuses.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Not consistently marked.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles.
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Often unmarked.
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
egypt:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
egypt:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
egypt:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits.
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Egypt | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 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 | Fixed speed limits | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
egypt:
40 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
70-90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
egypt:
70-90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
70-90 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
90-120 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
egypt:
90-100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
80-90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
egypt:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Egypt | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Egypt | Not used in UAE |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used to communicate with other drivers | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines can occur for excessive misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To signal other drivers or warn of presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not officially regulated | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used in some situations due to high traffic density | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with a red border and white background | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
egypt:
Not used in Egypt
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Allowed
egypt:
Commonly used to communicate with other drivers
united arab emirates:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
egypt:
Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
egypt:
Fines can occur for excessive misuse
united arab emirates:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
egypt:
To signal other drivers or warn of presence
united arab emirates:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
egypt:
Not officially regulated
united arab emirates:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
egypt:
Used in some situations due to high traffic density
united arab emirates:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
egypt:
Arabic; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
egypt:
Triangles with a red border and white background
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Egypt | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
egypt:
Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
egypt:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Egypt | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Egyptian driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided after passing inspection | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
egypt:
Valid Egyptian driver's license required
united arab emirates:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
egypt:
International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
egypt:
International Driving Permit required
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
egypt:
Mandatory annual inspection
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
egypt:
Provided after passing inspection
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
egypt:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Egypt | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Common in high traffic areas | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, though not always observed | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and allow passage | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
egypt:
Common in high traffic areas
united arab emirates:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
egypt:
Common practice, though not always observed
united arab emirates:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
egypt:
Commonly used
united arab emirates:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
egypt:
Frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
egypt:
Give way and allow passage
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Egypt | 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 | Conducted frequently | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in penalties and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
egypt:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
egypt:
0.02%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
egypt:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
egypt:
Conducted frequently
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
egypt:
Can be substantial
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
egypt:
Can result in penalties and license suspension
united arab emirates:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Egypt | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 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
egypt:
122
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
egypt:
122
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
egypt:
Check with your insurance provider
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
egypt:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Egypt | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for non-compliance | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and points on license | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
egypt:
Varies; fines can be significant
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
egypt:
Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
egypt:
Significant fines and points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
egypt:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay