Driving Differences: Jamaica vs United Arab Emirates
When navigating the roads of Jamaica and the United Arab Emirates, understanding the distinct regulations and practices can significantly enhance your travel experience. Key contrasts include driving on the left in Jamaica versus the right in the UAE, varying speed limits, and the presence of bus lanes. Embrace these insights for a safer journey abroad!
Lanes
| Jamaica | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the center of the road on two-way streets. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Bridge crossings | Railroad crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Marked with signs indicating bus lane | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Occasional with bicycle symbols | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Driving Side
jamaica:
Left
united arab emirates:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
united arab emirates:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
jamaica:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
jamaica:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
united arab emirates:
Railroad crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
jamaica:
Use leftmost lane.
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
jamaica:
Not applicable
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
jamaica:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Jamaica | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 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 | 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 | 100 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits via signs | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common for immediate traffic violations | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
jamaica:
30 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
jamaica:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
jamaica:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
70 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
jamaica:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
jamaica:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
jamaica:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Jamaica | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Jamaica | Not used in UAE |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Typically allowed in situations to avert danger | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged near hospitals and schools | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Rarely enforced | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To signal intentions, often a warning | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not widely restricted | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, especially if indicator lights fail | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Often triangular with red borders | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
united arab emirates:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Allowed
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
united arab emirates:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
united arab emirates:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
united arab emirates:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
united arab emirates:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
united arab emirates:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
united arab emirates:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Jamaica | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless signs prohibit it | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
jamaica:
Prohibited
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Left Turn: General
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
united arab emirates:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
united arab emirates:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Jamaica | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | 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 | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not consistently used | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
jamaica:
Not consistently used
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Jamaica | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To signal intentions or warnings | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Informally regulated | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Encouraged only to avert danger | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use; more common than in some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if safe | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Sirens and flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
united arab emirates:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
jamaica:
Informally regulated
united arab emirates:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
jamaica:
Common practice
united arab emirates:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
jamaica:
Discouraged
united arab emirates:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
united arab emirates:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Pedestrians Priority
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
united arab emirates:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
united arab emirates:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Jamaica | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check for impairment warnings | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasionally conducted | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies with severity and past offenses | Varies; can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe breaches | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
jamaica:
0.08%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
jamaica:
0.03%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
united arab emirates:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
united arab emirates:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
united arab emirates:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
united arab emirates:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Jamaica | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if taking an immediate exit | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for immediate or second exit | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for other exits | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Entering
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
united arab emirates:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
united arab emirates:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
united arab emirates:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
united arab emirates:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
united arab emirates:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
jamaica:
Use for other exits
united arab emirates:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Jamaica | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 or 110 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Depends on provider; often through insurance | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
jamaica:
119 or 110
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
jamaica:
119
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Jamaica | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Subject to fines and points | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor fines | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Must be paid promptly to avoid complications | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible for unresolved fines | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
united arab emirates:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines
united arab emirates:
Possible if fines are not paid