Driving in Indonesia vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates, understanding their unique driving customs is essential for ensuring a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving on opposite sides, distinct speed limits, and regulations surrounding overtaking. Familiarizing yourself with these driving nuances will enhance your experience and keep you secure while abroad.
Lanes
| Indonesia | 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 | 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 | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signage. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| 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
indonesia:
Left
united arab emirates:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
indonesia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Left
indonesia:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
indonesia:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
indonesia:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
indonesia:
Use leftmost lane.
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
Limited
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
indonesia:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
indonesia:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Indonesia | 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 | 50-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 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 | Common | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
indonesia:
30 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
indonesia:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
indonesia:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
indonesia:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
indonesia:
Common
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Indonesia | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Indonesia | 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 | Indonesian; 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
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
indonesia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Indonesia | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Forbidden unless a sign permits it | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Indonesia | 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 required | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic checks required | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Evidence of inspection may be displayed | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Indonesia | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Moderate use, not excessively |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and make room | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
indonesia:
Give way and make room
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Indonesia | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 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 | Varies by region; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
indonesia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
indonesia:
Common
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Indonesia | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 110 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local emergency numbers | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in case of breakdown | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
indonesia:
112 or 110
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Indonesia | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; subject to local laws | 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 | Subject to local laws, fines apply | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, enforced rigorously | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
indonesia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay