Driving in Finland vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
When comparing road regulations between Finland and the United Arab Emirates, distinct variations emerge in traffic rules and enforcement. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol consumption policies, highlighting the importance of understanding local driving customs to ensure a secure and smooth journey in each country.
Lanes
| Finland | 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 | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | 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
finland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
finland:
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
finland:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
finland:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
finland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
finland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
finland:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
finland:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
finland:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Finland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 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 | 100-120 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
finland:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
finland:
30-40 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
finland:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
100-120 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
finland:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
finland:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Finland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | 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 | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
finland:
Not commonly used
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
finland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Finland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | 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
finland:
Not generally allowed
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Finland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory for certain situations | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Finland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
finland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Alcohol
| Finland | 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; checkpoints used | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
finland:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
finland:
0.02%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
finland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
finland:
Can be substantial
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
finland:
Results in license suspension
united arab emirates:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Finland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact through 112 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory, recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
finland:
112
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
finland:
Contact through 112
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Finland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on income | 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 | Fines apply, typically €85 | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, typically €100 | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; usually drive must pay later | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
finland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
finland:
Fines apply
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
finland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay