Kuwait vs. United Arab Emirates: Driving Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, understanding the unique regulations and practices is vital for a secure journey. Key distinctions include lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol regulations, where Kuwait enforces stricter measures. Familiarizing yourself with these driving nuances will enhance your travel experience and ensure safety on foreign terrain.
Lanes
| Kuwait | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | 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. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kuwait:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
kuwait:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
kuwait:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kuwait:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kuwait:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kuwait:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kuwait:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
kuwait:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kuwait:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kuwait:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kuwait:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Kuwait | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 45-60 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 45 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 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
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kuwait:
45 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kuwait:
120 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kuwait:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kuwait:
80-90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kuwait:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kuwait:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kuwait:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Kuwait | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | 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 | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kuwait:
Not used
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
kuwait:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Kuwait | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless signs allow | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Kuwait | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | 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 | Annual inspection required | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | 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
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kuwait:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kuwait:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Kuwait | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kuwait:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Alcohol
| Kuwait | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Significant fines and legal consequences | Varies; can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving | Possible for severe offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
kuwait:
Less common
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
united arab emirates:
Possible for severe offenses
Emergency Services
| Kuwait | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 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
kuwait:
112
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
kuwait:
112
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kuwait:
Check with your insurance provider
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kuwait | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may include points on license | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Very severe penalties for any alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, possible | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kuwait:
Fines applicable
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
kuwait:
Fines applicable
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
kuwait:
Yes, possible
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay