Driving Differences: Guatemala vs United Arab Emirates
When navigating the roads of Guatemala and the United Arab Emirates, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their journey. Key variations include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol limits, with the UAE enforcing stricter rules. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience in both countries.
Lanes
| Guatemala | 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 | 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 | Limited | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | 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
guatemala:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
guatemala:
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
guatemala:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
guatemala:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
guatemala:
30 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
guatemala:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
united arab emirates:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Guatemala | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
guatemala:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Guatemala | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Guatemala | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Alcohol
| Guatemala | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
guatemala:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 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 | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | 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 imposed | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay