Iceland vs United Arab Emirates: Unique Driving Differences
When exploring the roadways of Iceland and the United Arab Emirates, it's essential to understand their unique transport regulations. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance levels. This comparison highlights how driving norms vary significantly, ensuring safer navigation and adherence to local laws for travelers in these diverse regions.
Lanes
| Iceland | 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: 4 | List length: 6 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | 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: 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
iceland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
iceland:
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
iceland:
List length: 4
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
iceland:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
iceland:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | 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 on gravel roads | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 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: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
iceland:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
iceland:
30 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Iceland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used in UAE |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | N/A | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Icelandic; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
united arab emirates:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
iceland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Iceland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Iceland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Alcohol
| Iceland | 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 | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
iceland:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
united arab emirates:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
united arab emirates:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
united arab emirates:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
iceland:
112
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | 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 | Mandatory; fines apply | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay