Driving in India vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
Exploring the unique traffic regulations between India and the United Arab Emirates reveals striking contrasts. From driving on opposite sides of the road to differing speed limits and enforcement practices, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring safe travel. Whether navigating urban streets or rural highways, familiarity with local norms can greatly enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| India | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, but only when safe. | 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 | Yes, in some metropolitan areas | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | 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. |
Driving Side
india:
Left
united arab emirates:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Left
india:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
india:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
india:
Use leftmost lane.
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some areas
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
india:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
india:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
india:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| India | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 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 | Yes, in major cities and highways | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
india:
40-50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
india:
30 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
60-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
india:
60-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-70 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
80-120 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
india:
80-100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
india:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
united arab emirates:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
india:
Yes, commonly used
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| India | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in India | Not used in UAE |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common due to varied vehicle conditions | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and local languages; 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
india:
Not used in India
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
united arab emirates:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
india:
Triangular with red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| India | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Left Turn: General
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
united arab emirates:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| India | 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 required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | PUC sticker displayed on 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
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
india:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| India | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to other countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
united arab emirates:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Pedestrians Priority
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
united arab emirates:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| India | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 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 in cities; checkpoints are regularly used | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; fines can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
india:
0.03%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
india:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
india:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
united arab emirates:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| India | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
united arab emirates:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
united arab emirates:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| India | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations | 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
india:
112
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| India | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license | 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 | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
india:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay