Driving in France vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of France and the United Arab Emirates, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their experience. From speed limits to lane usage, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring safe travels. Discover the essential contrasts and prepare for a smooth journey in these unique driving environments.
Lanes
| France | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | 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, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | 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 | 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
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
united arab emirates:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
france:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
france:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
france:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
france:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
france:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| France | 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 | 130 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
france:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
france:
30 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
france:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
france:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
france:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| France | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | Not used in UAE |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; 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
france:
Not used in France
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
united arab emirates:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| France | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
france:
Not allowed
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| France | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | 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 | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
france:
Displayed on windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| France | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Moderate use, not excessively |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| France | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
france:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
france:
0.02%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
france:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| France | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
united arab emirates:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| France | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
france:
112
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| France | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay