Driving Differences: Italy vs. United Arab Emirates
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations can significantly enhance your travel experience. In this comparison, we delve into the distinct driving customs of Italy and the United Arab Emirates. From speed limits and overtaking rules to alcohol regulations, discover how these countries prioritize safety and adapt to their unique driving environments.
Lanes
| Italy | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| 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 | Yes | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
united arab emirates:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
italy:
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
italy:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
italy:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
italy:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
italy:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
italy:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
italy:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Italy | 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 | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 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 | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
italy:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
italy:
30 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
italy:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
70 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
130 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
italy:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Italy | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used; prepare to go when green appears | 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 | Italian; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
italy:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Italy | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Italy | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
italy:
Displayed on license plate
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Italy | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
italy:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Alcohol
| Italy | 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; checkpoints used frequently | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
italy:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
italy:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
italy:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
italy:
Substantial
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Italy | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 (State Police) | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 116 (ACI) | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
italy:
112
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
italy:
113 (State Police)
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
italy:
116 (ACI)
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Italy | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension | 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 | Varies; fines apply | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, strict enforcement | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, may include points on license | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible, especially for foreign drivers | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
italy:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
italy:
Varies; fines apply
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay