Fiji vs. United Arab Emirates: Driving Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Fiji and the United Arab Emirates, distinct variations in traffic regulations and safety protocols come into play. From the contrasting driving sides—left in Fiji and right in UAE—to differing speed limits and lane usage, understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Prepare yourself for a safe driving experience by exploring these vital comparisons.
Lanes
| Fiji | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost 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 | No | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | 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. |
Driving Side
fiji:
Left
united arab emirates:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
united arab emirates:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
fiji:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
fiji:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
fiji:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
fiji:
Use leftmost lane.
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
fiji:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 kph | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 kph | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 kph | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 kph | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 kph | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 kph | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 kph | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 kph | 80-100 km/h |
| Speed Units | kph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
united arab emirates:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Fiji | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Fiji | Not used in UAE |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; 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
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
fiji:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Fiji | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Fiji | 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 vehicle inspections are mandatory | 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 | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles | Moderate use, not excessively |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Fiji | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, potential loss of license | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
fiji:
0.08%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Fiji | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | 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
fiji:
911
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines can apply | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay