Driving Differences: Kenya vs. United Arab Emirates
When traveling from Kenya to the United Arab Emirates, understanding the distinct road regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key contrasts include driving on the left in Kenya versus the right in the UAE, varying speed limits, and unique lane usage rules. Equip yourself with this essential knowledge for a smooth driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Kenya | 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, allow passing on the right. | 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 | No | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | 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
kenya:
Left
united arab emirates:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kenya:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Left
kenya:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
kenya:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kenya:
Use leftmost lane.
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kenya:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
kenya:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kenya:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
kenya:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kenya:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kenya:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Kenya | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 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 | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 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 | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
kenya:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kenya:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80-100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kenya:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kenya:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Kenya | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kenya | 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 | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
kenya:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kenya:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Kenya | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
kenya:
Not allowed.
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Kenya | 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 for short visits; 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 windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kenya:
Annual inspection required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kenya:
Displayed on windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Kenya | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kenya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
kenya:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kenya | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
Limits: General Drivers
kenya:
0.08%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kenya:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Roundabouts
| Kenya | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or adjacent exits | Use for first exit or straight |
Signaling: Exiting
kenya:
Signal left when preparing to exit
united arab emirates:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
united arab emirates:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Kenya | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or 911 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
kenya:
999 or 112
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
kenya:
999 or 911
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kenya | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 | 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 | KES 500 to KES 2,000 | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | KES 10,000 | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
kenya:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kenya:
KES 10,000
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
kenya:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay